Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR), Versatile Cookware for Large Families or Entertaining

The **Crock-Pot**, also known as a slow cooker, is a staple in many kitchens due to its ability to cook meals with minimal effort. It’s a versatile appliance that’s perfect for busy people, allowing you to prepare flavorful meals with little hands-on time. Here’s my experience with it, including both its advantages and some of the challenges I’ve encountered.### **Design and Build**The **Crock-Pot** comes in a variety of sizes, ranging from **2-quart to 8-quart** capacities, making it suitable for everything from individual meals to large family dinners. The design is simple, typically featuring a **removable ceramic pot** that fits into the heating base. The ceramic pot is durable and easy to clean, either by hand or in the dishwasher.The **lid** is usually made of glass, which is great because you can see how your meal is progressing without having to lift it and release heat. The design is functional, though some models have **locking lids** for spill-proof portability, which is helpful if you need to transport your dish to a potluck or event.### **Ease of Use**The main selling point of the Crock-Pot is how easy it is to use. Most models feature **low, high, and warm settings**, allowing you to adjust the temperature based on the recipe or how quickly you want your meal to cook.You simply **add your ingredients, set the temperature**, and walk away. The slow cooking process ensures that flavors develop over time, resulting in rich, tender dishes like soups, stews, and roasts. It’s great for people with busy schedules—you can start a meal in the morning and come home to a fully cooked dinner.### **Cooking Performance**The Crock-Pot excels at cooking dishes that require **low and slow heat**. It’s ideal for:- **Stews and soups**: The long cooking time allows flavors to blend beautifully.- **Meats**: Cuts like pork shoulder, beef brisket, and chicken thighs come out incredibly tender after being slow-cooked for several hours.- **One-pot meals**: You can throw in vegetables, protein, and broth for a hearty meal with minimal cleanup.The **low and slow** cooking process also makes it perfect for **meal prep**. You can make large batches of food, divide them into portions, and refrigerate or freeze them for later use.### **Challenges and Considerations**- **Lack of Browning**: One of the main drawbacks of using a Crock-Pot is that it doesn’t **brown meats**. If you want a deep, rich flavor from caramelized meat or vegetables, you’ll need to sear them in a separate pan before adding them to the Crock-Pot. This adds an extra step to the cooking process, which can be a bit inconvenient, especially if you’re looking for a true one-pot solution.- **Long Cooking Times**: While the Crock-Pot is designed for long, slow cooking, the downside is that it’s not ideal for **quick meals**. If you realize at the last minute that you need to make dinner, the Crock-Pot won’t be much help unless you have hours to spare.- **Overcooking**: Though the Crock-Pot is designed to slowly cook your meals over several hours, it’s possible to **overcook** certain foods, particularly vegetables like peas and zucchini that become mushy if left in too long. Meat, on the other hand, tends to fare better, but you still need to watch cooking times to avoid overcooked or dry textures.- **Cleaning the Pot**: While the ceramic insert is dishwasher safe, it can be **heavy and cumbersome** to clean if you’re washing it by hand, especially when there’s food stuck to the bottom. Some models come with **non-stick surfaces**, which are easier to clean but can scratch over time.- **Bulky**: Depending on the size, Crock-Pots can be **bulky** and take up a lot of counter or storage space. If you have a small kitchen, this might be something to consider, especially if you don’t plan on using it frequently.### **Energy Efficiency**One of the benefits of the Crock-Pot is that it’s relatively **energy efficient** compared to using a traditional oven or stovetop for long periods. It uses a lower wattage and heats slowly, which can result in energy savings if you’re cooking meals that take several hours.### **Pros**- **Hands-off cooking**: Once your ingredients are in, you can walk away and come back to a fully cooked meal.- **Versatile**: Perfect for soups, stews, meats, and even desserts.- **Tender, flavorful results**: Slow cooking enhances flavor and makes even tough cuts of meat tender.- **Convenient for meal prep**: Ideal for making large batches of food with minimal effort.### **Cons**- **No browning**: You need to brown meat separately for certain dishes.- **Long cooking time**: Not ideal for last-minute meals.- **Can overcook vegetables**: Some vegetables get too soft if cooked too long.- **Bulky**: Takes up a lot of counter or storage space.### **Final Thoughts**The **Crock-Pot** is a fantastic kitchen tool for anyone who enjoys low-maintenance cooking, especially for meals that benefit from slow, gradual heat. It’s ideal for people with busy schedules who want to come home to a ready-made meal. However, it does have its limitations—like the need for browning meat separately and the potential for overcooking delicate vegetables. Despite these minor drawbacks, I find the convenience and versatility make it a worthwhile investment for any kitchen.

I’ve meal prepped a few things in this now and I must say it is super easy and convenient. My first slow cooker, so I don’t have anything to compare to, but the meat is so tender it just falls apart. It is large, but I have a storage spot for it in one of my cabinets, and it’s lighter than I thought so it’s easy to move around. I haven’t tried a lot yet, but it cooks faster than I expected also, most meat being done within 2 hours on high.

Great big crock pot! The oval shape is perfect, I was able to cook an 8 lb spiral ham and the lid still fit. The lid doesn’t lock, but I am fine with this because it is so big that it travels fine because it has so much extra room that it is not filled to the top and it was an excellent price and works well. I highly recommend this crock pot!

This crockpot has quickly become my favorite kitchen appliance. It’s incredibly easy to use—just set it and forget it. The programmable timer and automatic warm setting are lifesavers for busy days. Everything I’ve made comes out tender, flavorful, and perfectly cooked, from stews and roasts to soups and pulled pork. The removable stoneware insert makes cleanup a breeze, and it looks sleek on the counter. It’s large enough to feed a family or meal prep for the week. If you’re looking for a reliable, efficient, and convenient way to cook hearty meals, this crockpot is an absolute must-have.

**Rating: 4.5/5****Overview:**The Crockpot 7-Quart Slow Cooker is an essential kitchen appliance designed for busy individuals and families who enjoy home-cooked meals without the need for constant supervision. With its generous 7-quart capacity, this slow cooker is perfect for preparing everything from stews and soups to roasts and chili. It’s a must-have for anyone looking to streamline meal prep while ensuring delicious, tender meals every time.**Design & Build Quality:**The Crockpot 7-Quart Slow Cooker has a sleek, modern design that would complement any kitchen. It features a sturdy, durable ceramic insert that can be removed for easy cleaning, as well as a black exterior that resists smudging. The lid fits snugly, ensuring that heat and moisture are kept in during the cooking process. The handles are ergonomically designed, making it easy to transport the pot even when it’s filled to the brim. The heavy-duty exterior feels well-built, and the ceramic insert is both scratch-resistant and dishwasher safe.**Capacity & Cooking Performance:**With a 7-quart capacity, this slow cooker is large enough to prepare meals for large families, gatherings, or batch cooking. Whether you’re making a hearty beef stew, a tender pulled pork dish, or a vegetarian chili, the Crockpot can handle it all. The cooking performance is top-notch—foods cook evenly and retain moisture, resulting in tender, flavorful dishes every time. The slow cooking process helps enhance flavors, and the “low” and “high” heat settings allow you to adjust cooking times based on your schedule.The programmable feature is a standout, as it allows you to set the cooking time (up to 20 hours), and it will automatically switch to a “keep warm” setting when the cooking time is over. This is incredibly convenient for busy individuals who don’t want to worry about overcooking their meal or having to rush home to turn it off. Whether you set it and forget it in the morning or return to a fully cooked meal after a long day, the Crockpot ensures perfect results with minimal effort.**Ease of Use:**Using the Crockpot 7-Quart Slow Cooker is incredibly simple. The control panel is easy to navigate, with clear settings for cooking time and temperature. The dial-style controls allow you to adjust the settings intuitively, and the digital display is large enough to read from a distance. There’s also a “keep warm” feature that ensures your meal stays at the perfect serving temperature, without overcooking.One of the best aspects of this slow cooker is the ease of cleaning. The ceramic insert is removable, making it easy to clean by hand or toss in the dishwasher. The glass lid is also dishwasher safe, which adds to the overall convenience.**Versatility:**The Crockpot 7-Quart Slow Cooker is incredibly versatile. It’s ideal for making large batches of soup, stew, or chili, but it can also be used for roasts, casseroles, and even desserts like cobblers or bread puddings. The low and high settings are perfect for slow-cooked meats, and the ability to set the cooking time gives you flexibility for a variety of dishes.Additionally, the slow cooker can also be used for simple, one-pot meals, which makes it perfect for meal prepping. It’s an excellent choice for families with busy schedules or those who prefer hands-off cooking. Just throw in the ingredients, set the time, and let the slow cooker do the rest.**Pros:**- Generous 7-quart capacity, perfect for large families or entertaining- Easy-to-use digital control panel with clear settings- Keep warm function keeps food at the perfect temperature- Removable, dishwasher-safe ceramic insert for easy cleanup- Reliable, even cooking performance, creating tender, flavorful meals- Durable, well-built exterior that’s easy to transport**Cons:**- The ceramic insert can be quite heavy when full, which may make it challenging to lift without assistance- The slow cooker is relatively large, so it may not be ideal for those with limited counter space- While the lid fits snugly, it can sometimes steam up during cooking, making it hard to see the food without opening the lid**Conclusion:**Overall, the Crockpot 7-Quart Slow Cooker is an excellent kitchen appliance for those looking to prepare large, home-cooked meals with minimal effort. Its large capacity, reliable cooking performance, and ease of use make it a fantastic addition to any kitchen. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just want to enjoy a delicious meal after a long day, this slow cooker delivers consistent, flavorful results. Its convenience, versatility, and durability make it well worth the investment.If you're in the market for a slow cooker that can handle a variety of dishes with ease, the Crockpot 7-Quart is a great choice. It’s the perfect tool for simplifying meal prep while ensuring every dish comes out tender and full of flavor.