Crock-Pot 2.5 Quart Casserole Slow Cooker

I wanted a smaller cooker, like 2 to 3 qt. Looked at dozens of cookers on multiple sites.
I have had the round high sided ones… okay for soups, chili, but this shallower oval (3″ high) has larger cooking surface perfect for pork chops, steaks, flatter roasts, brisket so you’re not having to stack meats.
The 6 – 7 qt. size models were way too big (and heavy). This one was perfect. Versatile, many uses.
Great features; Crockery liner can be used for oven baking, casseroles, great for serving too. Love the lid that can lock for transport. Has warm setting. Non stick, easy clean up. I loved the white with dark blue pattern, perfect in my blue kitchen. I keep it out it’s so pretty.
I watched for best price, got a great deal on Amazon. Fast delivery. What more could you ask for?
I’ve used it several times already. Highly recommend.

Perfect little thing. Fits 3 large chicken breast so it’s absolutely perfect for 2 . Great for small gatherings or just normal meal for two people.

If you’re a couple or family of 3, this could be your go-to slow cooker. If you’re a larger family, this will rock your casseroles. There’s a been a lot written about it by others, so I’ll just briefly speak to the features that impressed me the most (or you can skip right down to the last paragraph for a very short TL:DR.

First, it’s dimensions. Most small slow cookers that are less than 3 qts in volume are of the deep and narrow variety. They don’t easily lend themselves to roasts, a pair of chicken breasts, a, pork tenderloin, or things of that nature. This one, with it’s shallow casserole shape, excels at them. I’ve cooked a skinny pork tenderloin, a 2-pound rump roast, and a pair of boneless chicken breasts. None of them had to be squashed, bent, cut or otherwise compromised to fit. i’m pretty sure it would just as easily handle bone-in chicken.

This Crockpot doesn’t boil liquids on the Low setting. Most slow cookers (many of them Crockpots) will bring any liquid to a boil within a few hours, no matter if you’re cooking on Low or High. My rump roast took 8.5 hours on Low, and at no time did the liquid in the pot go higher than 207F, as measured on my Thermapen instant read thermometer. I want to braise my roasts, not boil them, and this Crockpot does it very well.

Serving is easy. Again, this relates to shape. There was no awkwardness when removing any of the meats I cooked. With my other slow cookers (including my Instant Pots) roasts fall apart as I try to remove them, because there’s no way to get a turner under it, or grab it on both ends with a pair of long forks. Upshot, the poor roast breaks into pieces. I was able to slide a turner under the rump roast and stabilize it with tongs for easy transfer to a plate. Same with the tenderloin. And the chicken breasts were easy to pick up with tongs, grabbing the meat from the side (not from above) for a better grip. I like that! I’m planning to try lasagna next, because both times I tried it in big oval slow cookers I wasn’t able to scoop out anything like a slice. It always came out in a goopy mess and the cheese combined with the sauce to turn it sort of pink. Not pretty!

Finally, I thought I’d give a shout-out to JoyouslyDomestic.com, the website where I found the recipe for “Melt In Your Mouth” Pot Roast. Google the recipe name and look at the photo. That’s exactly what mine looked like! All rich, deep brown, glossy, beefy gravy over a gorgeous brown roast. Do NOT try to skip browning (it’s really quick, I promise), it’s completely worth it!

TL:DR – To recap, this is a terrific small slow cooker. It’s low walls and wide base make it good for casseroles for a larger family, and also as the primary cooker for a small family. It doesn’t boil on Low, and food is easy to remove from the shallow crock. I give it 5 stars.

Ideal para cocinar ricos y nutritivos platillos para una pareja de tercera edad. Fácil de lavar y mantener impecable. La recomiendo

As a senior, I have been looking for a good quality CrockPot that is small & lightweight.
PROS: This 2.5 quart CrockPot is pricey, but well worth it. The Ceramic Crock inset is light enough for me to remove & bring to the sink for easy hand washing. The aluminum base is super lightweight & easy to wipe clean. The wide, oval design makes it easy to prepare food in the pot & stir, as needed. I cooked a 3lb lamb roast on high for 6 hrs & it came out great. The rounded feet on the bottom keep the heated surface off the counter top. The simple, Knob control is secure & “clicks” from 1 setting to the other. The glass lid makes it easy to visually check progress without opening. The glass lid has a rubber gasket that creates a good seal when you push down on the lid, preventing splattering once the unit gets up to temp.
CONS: I do wish there was an “ON” light to remind me to turn the unit Off. This seems like a basic safety feature, to me.
It would be great if the Ceramic Crock had handles on either side to make it easy to remove the piping hot Crock Pot to move it to the table for serving or into the oven got final cooking options. These handles could be located on the front & back so they would not interfere with the locking lid. As is, I am not able to get a grip on the hot Crock with potholders. It’s too dangerous to try to wrangle the hot Crock without getting burned. Again, this seems like a basic safety feature.

TIPS: I spent a lot of time reading Amazon reviews before deciding to purchase. There were 3 issues that kept coming up that I might be able to help with.
1. Folks have reported the glass lid shattering. I looked up the User Manual on line & it states DO NOT LOCK LID while cooking. The User Manual specifically states this may cause the glass lid to shatter. You are only suppose to lock the lid for storage & travel.
2. Folks have reported the unit does not heat up properly & food is severely undercooked or raw after 6 hrs on high. I found when I first opened the box & placed the Ceramic Crock into the Aluminum base, the fit is quite snug & the Crock was sitting about 1/2” above the rim of the base. I had to use some pressure to push the Ceramic Crock all the way into the base, until the bottom of the Crock was touching the flat bottom of the Aluminum base. There was no longer a gap between the lip of the Crock & the rim of the base. This ensures the flat bottom of the hot metal base is heating up the Crock to temperature, throughout the cooking cycle. I’ve included a pic to show there is no gap between the Crock & the Base when properly inserted.
3. Folks have noted there is no Cord Storage on the unit. For me, there are 2 easy options to store the cord. You can easily wrap the Cord around the base handle on the side -or- you can bend the Cord in half & slip it thru the handle of the cover, which is my preferred method. The Cord will stay snugly in place, either way.

All in all, I am delighted with this product. Seniors who are no longer able to lift a traditional Crock Pot will love it