Binding: Kitchen Brand: West Bend EAN: 0072244847161 Label: West Bend Manufacturer: West Bend Model: 84716 Publisher: West Bend Sales Rank: 1455 Studio: West Bend Warranty: 1
Features:
6-quart pot slow-cooks on heating base and goes on stovetop or in oven
Oval shape accommodates chicken, ham, roast; roasting rack included
Aluminum pot, with nonstick interior, stainless-steel handles, glass lid
Heating base has keep-warm setting for serving, medium and high for cooking
Control Cannot be Trusted
I loved this crockpot when I got it. It was the second one I owned. First one lasted for years. The control on this one goes up on it's own, like another reviewer said. So, you can't go away and leave it, or everything will be cooked on high. I tried putting a spoon under the grooves of the control and blocking the spoon with a heavy plate, but sometimes it slips and if you're not careful, you food will go (on it's own) to high and overcook. West Bend really needs to work on the control switch. I think I'm going to try the West Bend 5 quart model and see if that is made any better.
Wish it actually cooked
I agree this is technically an attractive piece, presumably quite versatile, however, the primary purpose of a slow cooker should be to cook. This does not. The highest setting after hours barely reached above 200 degrees. My first effort was a "stewed" chicken type of dish. After 6 hours, it was still largely raw. If you read several slow cooker recipe books, it seems the underlying concept of the slow cooker is to surround the food with heat - thus the typical cooker is a crock insert inside of a shell which has electric heating elements surrounding the crock. This gives you a constant surrounding heat. This unit (and I assume others like it) trade this design for versatility. Thus, the heat rises from the bottom (why I assume ... Read More
A great slow cooker
In our kitchen, this slow cooker performs precisely as advertised. The variable heat control provides some flexibility in cooking time. The features which set the West Bend 84716 Versatility 6-Quart Oval Slo-Cooker apart from others include 1)the nonstick "pot" can be used to brown roasts and cook them in the same vessel, and 2) when you're done cooking, the pot can go in the dishwasher for a no fuss cleanup, or because it is nonstick, it hand washes easily. In all, this is an excellent product-fairly priced and does what it claims.
West Bend Slo Cooker
Like the non-stick and being able to separate the pot from the heating unit. Makes it much easier to clean than my old one piece "crock" pot.
But the lid is annoying because due to the shape, if you don't place it on exactly right, it falls into what ever you are cooking - yuk.
Water gets behind the handle every time you wash it so you have to unscrew the handle to let it dry - no big deal but thought you might like to know.
Like being able to brown meats in the pot instead of having to dirty a second pot to brown the meats before putting them in the slo cooker.
Really like the variable heat settings. If you shop around, you can probably find one just as good as this one for a lower price.
Very aptly named. Love the "versatility" of this slow cooker!
I absolutely love this slow cooker. The convenience of browning and cooking in the same pot is really a time and mess saver. I have an older version of this West Bend slow cooker, which also has the griddle and metal pot and is probably at least 15 years old - and, it still works! The griddle is a wonderful feature. West Bend keep up the good work!
