West Bend 84716 Versatility 6-Quart Oval Slo-Cooker

I have another brand of slow cooker with automatic controls, timer, etc., and I like it. However, it has a very large and heavy crockery insert that is difficult to handle and wash. A friend has one of these West Bend 6-qt. cookers and likes it. I studied the reviews as well as looking carefully at my friend's model. Both the light weight and the non-stick surface convinced me to order my own. I have used it several times now -- more often than I would use my super-duper one, which is awkward and heavy. I'm keeping that one for big jobs only. This West Bend one's a breeze to use and clean. My only negative: the "Keep Warm" setting is too cool. Other than that, it's a winner, even if you have to pull the plug to shut it off. Good product at a good price.

The first West Bend slow cooker I purchased was way back in the 1960's at Montgomery Ward. I literally wore it out. Since, I have purchased two at garage sales and am still using the last one that I bought which was already very well used. In the 1990's I purchased one for my daughter at K-Mart. We use them on a continuous basis. That is why I have purchased two new ones. I feel anyone who uses these cookers should have two. I have a crock pot also but do not use it. I cook so many different things in them. The West Bend slow cooker is the best I have ever found and do not know what I would do without one.

The West Bend Versatility is exactly as I knew it would be. True temperature and the fact that it goes from stove top to refrigerator is wonderful. The lid is secure, not glued on and the variable temperature is outstanding. After 4 West Bend slow cookers, I'm a believer.

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.

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 the "crock" is thin metal - to conduct the heat). I gather from my experience, this just does not work as efficiently as the traditional type. I replaced this with a crock insert unit. I would definitely not recommend this unit.