All-Clad Copper Core Dutch Oven Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Some years ago I was a professional chef, and I approach cooking in an analytical way, (cooking is science, plating is art). I learned the real value of slow cooking of some foods, especially in classical cuisine and much of ethnic cooking. The trick is a specialized slow-cook oven (expensive restaurant equipment) or a well-made Dutch oven. Assuming you are not reading this from the kitchen of a three star, the obvious choice is the Dutch oven.
My first really usable Dutch oven was a 50-year-old one, 18 pounds of solid aluminum! Eventually it pitted as to become unsafe. I've tried many of the current crop, and was very disappointed at the uneven heat distribution, with the propensity of food to caramelize and eventually burn at the transition point between the flat bottom and the sides (the metal thickness at this point is critical). In my testing, this pot is far and away the best designed, finished, and certainly the best cooking Dutch oven now being produced.
I purchased this item, and am thoroughly satisfied. The price for this superior "slow cooker" is steep, but if you really know how, and when to use this pot, you will marvel at the results, and it really beats the price tag of the restaurant "slow oven!"
Worth the price, and is in my opinion the best by far of all the offerings, spring for one, then really enjoy classical cuisine as it was once prepared!
Eric Scott PhD

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Up until now All-Clad's excellent heat conductivity has been a result of an aluminum core. Another metal equally efficient when it comes to conducting heat is copper. All-Clad now has a complete line of copper core stainless steel cookware which uses bonded 5-ply construction to achieve culinary perfection. The copper core is exposed in an attractive band around each piece, adding warmth, color, and authenticity. Unlike pans with an abundance of exposed copper, these pieces clean easily and are lined with durable food-safe stainless steel. Browning, simmering, stewing: these are all tasks well-suited to the Dutch oven. You'll find it works well both atop and inside the oven. The lid gives you the option of cooking with dry or moist heat, whichever your recipe requires.

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All-Clad Stainless 7-Quart Stockpot with Pasta Insert Review

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(More customer reviews)My family gave me this set for Mothers Day. I really love it. The heating is very even in this pan. I never need to use heat over med to cook. I can cook 1 1/2 pounds of pasta. The insert holes are too small for pasta to pass through. When lifting pasta out you have to do so slowly to allow the water to drain into the pan. I then leave the insert at an angle to serve from the pot this keeps the pasta warm. I was able to cook 6-8 ears of corn-on-the-cob by standing the ears on end. I can cook large quantities of vegetables and drain to serve without effort. The stockpot is great. It is deep enough to make jams without the jam splashing out of the pan onto the stove like my other stockpot. The set is too big to fit in the dishwasher with the dishes from the meal, but it does fit. I am able to clean it easily after cooking, even cooked jam without much effort at all. This set is a very practical addition to my kitchen.

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Hot, aromatic, and delicious pasta is easily prepared using this pasta pentola by All-Clad. Essentially a large stock pot with a pasta insert, it is constructed of three layers of metal; two stainless steel outer layers with an aluminum core. The stainless steel exterior combined with the aluminum core allows the pot to be used on all types of stovetops, including induction, and heats it evenly to eliminate hot spots. The included stainless steel lid holds in heat and steam, and has an easy to grasp handle, along with looped side handles for a design that's easy to move around the kitchen.
Producing some of the finest cookware in the nation, All-Clad has been featured in many high class and gourmet restaurants for its superior performance and aesthetically designed pieces crafted from American artists using the finest metals. A firm believer in quality over convenience, All-Clad's metals are formulated and bonded with cooking performance in mind, and are combined with stunning designs to provide you with the best cooking experience possible.

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All Clad Electric Griddle Review

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(More customer reviews)I enjoy All-Clad's quality cookware and I have their handsome slow-cooker but I have a passion for griddles and this one doesn't cut it. Non-stick is a non-durable finish. I have All-Clad non-stick and it's worthless after the first year. Non-stick Aluminum is a flimsy deal for $300. I can get a Presto grill like that for $30 which I won't mind tossing in a year or two. For $300, I would expect a griddle to be durable for many years. This one indicates it has "thermostats" but it's not clear whether it has thermostatic control. Most likely it cycles the heat on and off based on a timing switch just like the cheap ones -- but if it doesn't, All-Clad isn't saying because they don't document this griddle on their website at all as of December 2009. Their electrics don't impress me as my slow-cooker boils everything on the low setting (We're at 5000 feet where water boils at about 200F). I have a feeling All-Clad's headed the way of Kitchen-Aide -- once renowned for their mixers and now known for every piece of imported junk you can think of.
A quick look at [...] shows that real thermostatic electric griddles with polished steel plates are a little pricier than All-Clad's mini griddle here. Why would they make world-class pans that nobody in the world would be ashamed to use but down-class their electrics to fit among the junk at the all-import stores?

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All-Clad 99009 Stainless-Steel 6-1/2-Quart Slow Cooker Review

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(More customer reviews)I work almost everyday (including Sundays) so this pot has been my life saver (or the dinner saver). My older one was 5qt. cool touch Rival. This All-Clad cooker cooks so much faster than my older one (the inside temperature of All-clad gets 230F in high setting). Ribs and 5 pound chicken done in 4 hours in high. If you want crispy chicken skin, let it cook for 6 hours. I highly recommend this product.
By the way I put small roasting rack when I roast chicken or ribs so that they don't stew in the dripping. Save the dripping broth. Put it in the fridge overnight, and get rid of the fat. And use it in your soup or stew, of course, this cooker can do that job just fine as well.
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Updated Review: 4/17/2008
I've been using this slow cooker at least twice a week. Time to time I would hear "pop" sound either in the middle or toward the end of the cooking time. I couldn't figure out what was making this sound. One day my husband found cracks on the ceramic insert. They were fine cracks, but the cracks were in inside and outside. I contacted All-Clad. The service rep. told me to send a picture of the cracks. So I did. For several weeks I didn't hear anything from them. So I contacted them again. Apparently they didn't get my email with the pictures. So I sent them again. The next day I got a phone call from All-Clad that they would send me a new insert. It arrived a couple of days ago. I made a most wonderful chicken soup with leftover rottisserie chicken yesterday. I'm starting my love affair with this slow cooker again.
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Update Review: 11/9/2009
I wish I could say that my slow cooker insert is still going strong. Unfortunately it isn't. I really tried to use them (I have gone through 3 inserts) as much as I could - until I could see the leak. I thought of getting a metal insert. However, it costs $200 NOT including shipping and handling. So I got the most modest Rival Slow Cooker: a 7-qt. with a turn dial. I've had it for 7 months. So far no cracks. It boils water quicker than All-Clad even in the low setting, but still no cracks. I had talked to an All-Clad rep about a possible defect in the ceramic insert, but she didn't seem to believe that theory. I wish I could change the rating to 2-star. It could have been 1-star, but I liked All-Clad's customer services.
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Additional Comment: FYI the 2nd insert cracked within 2 hours in the high setting and the 3rd insert cracked in the low setting. After that I began to think maybe the inserts were defective. I did not abuse them. I only used as directed: high or low and went through the dishwasher. I'm using my humble and simple Rival cooker in the same way, and so far no cracks. I thought of getting the metal insert for the All-Clad Slow Cooker, but it was too expensive: $200 for the insert, over $50 for the metal lid (required for the metal insert) and $70 shipping and handling. Besides the reviews were not good for their non-stick metal insert. I'm very happy with my humble Rival 7 qt. Slow Cooker.
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Update: 6/10/2010
My humble 7-qt Rival slow cooker is still going strong. I've been using it every week, and still no cracks so far. I have made roasts, soups, stews, and casseroles. I haven't made dessert yet. I've seen Sandra Lee "baking" dessert in her white slow cooker. I can't remember if it was Rival or not. But I'll try someday.

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Even with a busy schedule, you can still enjoy healthy, home-cooked meals thanks to this easy-to-use oval-shaped slow cooker. Simply add ingredients to the unit's black ceramic pot, insert the pot into the cooker, and set the 26-hour programmable timer. After a long day at work or a busy day of weekend errands, dinner will be ready and waiting. Perfect for soups, casseroles, pot roasts, curries, and more, its large 6-1/2-quart capacity works great for single-person meals with leftovers or for dinner with the family. Thoughtfully designed, the slow cooker also provides attractive stainless-steel housing; an integrated control panel with an LCD display; three temperature settings--high, low, and keep warm; a glass lid for keeping an eye on the cooking process; and riveted stainless-steel handles for safe transport. The ceramic insert and glass lid clean up easily by hand with hot soapy water or safely in the dishwasher. A recipe booklet comes included for getting started. The slow cooker measures 19-7/8 by 14 by 11-3/8 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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Cuisinart PSC-650 6-1/2-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)My fiance and I have had in mind for awhile to buy a slow cooker. We received a $100 gift certificate for a retailer - known more for their smarminess than their affordable pricing -- and thought this would be the perfect thing to spend it on. This retailer in particular only had two models of slow cookers to choose from, this one and a 5 quart DeLonghi. I like the DeLonghi brand well enough -- but we thought the cooker was kind of ugly looking. So is the Cuisinart, truth be told.
There were only a handful of features that helped guide our choice. First was the extra quart-and-a-half capacity. The programmable heating settings also seemed like they could be useful. This slow cooker also comes with a cooking rack for when you're doing a roast. Ultimately what convinced us to go with this model was the fact that it's big enough TO do a roast -- you have room enough to do a whole chicken.
When we got home we immediately checked amazon to see how badly we'd been ripped off. Oddly enough -- it was the same price. However -- the reviews shocked us. How can a slow cooker get such horrible reviews when all it has to do is get hot and stay hot? We freaked out a bit and almost ran back to return it.
Like most people who bother to read reviews on amazon -- you're probably aware that typically some of the bad reviews are people just mouthing off, or rating the product based some other bad experience they've had, or they haven't read the user manual for their device and are in the process of breaking it themselves. There might be a bad review or two like this here, for the Cuisinart. But otherwise -- people are saying some frightening things -- namely, that the Cuisinart doesn't cook the food.
As for this slow cooker being badly engineered or made cheaply -- I'm not sure where that comes from. Look at it this way; this cooker holds a huge, thick, 6.5 quart ceramic bowl. The bowl itself can not be confused for cheap. The brushed stainless steel unit that it fits into likewise has to be huge. So, you have this huge steel unit and it's only function is to get hot. Do heating coils take up a lot of room? No, they don't. Are they heavy? No, they're not. If if the opinion of cheap is coming from the fact that the base is big and feels hollow -- then in my opinion they are not being very fair.
The only complaint I can make is that the programmable buttons are keypad type buttons. I would have preferred actual push-in surface buttons, but when you think about it -- the keypad style is much easier to clean up AND prevents moisture from any spilled liquids from getting inside.
Regarding the "permanent" fingerprints -- I'm not sure how that phenomenon can actually take place. I just wiped the unit down and it looks completely new again. Just because it's brushed stainless steel doesn't mean it won't get fingerprints.
Anyway, we decided to keep the cooker and we're glad we did. I threw together some chicken soup last night and we each had a delicious bowl of it this morning. Everything was cooked perfectly -- the carrots were soft and flavorful and the chicken melted away from the bone. I have no complaints or regrets. I would have given it five stars if it were just a tad prettier..


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Beautifully housed in brushed stainless steel with cool-touch chrome-plated handles and black accents, this programmable slow cooker offers more than just good looks. The exceptionally convenient countertop appliance makes it easier than ever to cook healthy homemade meals, delicious side dishes, and mouthwatering desserts for the family at home or to bring to a potluck or picnic. Simply add ingredients to the removable 6-1/2-quart oval-shaped ceramic cooking pot, set it in the base, and cover with the glass lid, which comes with a stainless-steel rim and chrome-plated knob. Then press "on" from the user-friendly touchpad control panel and choose from three cooking modes--simmer, low, or high. The cooker offers a 24-hour programmable cook time, an LCD countdown timer, and a keep-warm mode that the unit automatically shifts over to once the cooking time has ended. Other highlights include wrap-around heating elements for thorough heat distribution, nonslip rubber feet, retractable cord storage, and dishwasher-safe parts (lid and ceramic pot) for quick cleanup. Accessories include a cooking rack for use with ramekins or other bakeware, a spiral-bound recipe book with 70 basic to gourmet dishes, and an instruction book for getting started. The slow cooker measures approximately 18-4/5 by 15-2/3 by 10-8/9 inches and carries a three-year limited warranty.

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DeLonghi DCP707 Stainless-Steel Programmable 5-Quart Slow Cooker Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm a guy and have done only basic cooking and even less with a slow cooker. So please take this into account.
I purchased this cooker even thought it had no reviews because most of the other cookers had such a wide variety of star ratings . . . I took a risk . . . and I'm not disappointing.
This slow cooker is all metal, except of course for the lid which is tempered glass and the pot which is ceramic or whatever they are made of. Even the handle on the top of the lid is metal as are the handles on the side of the cooker and seem very solid. None of this cheap plastic with a shiny silver coating stuff. The pot itself is obviously heavy and durable; and the handles on the pot are conveniently placed and formed making it very easy to lift out of the cooking container without burning yourself even when completely full.
The electronic controls are very easy to use with the typical warm, low, medium and high settings and a two hour automatic warm setting after the cooking cycle is finished, and a push of the timer setting button will increase the cook time for 30 minutes while in the cooking cycle. The LCD panel for the controls lights up when any of the buttons are pushed to make reading the settings easier and an icon of a cooking pot turns on once the slow cooker is actually cooking.
This slow cooker is very attractive and would compliment most any kitchen. The overall impression of the slow cooker is that it is of high quality and sound construction. I am looking forward to many years use of this slow cooker but if any problems crop up during the next several months I will edit this post to let ya'll know.
So far I have cooked a whole five pound chicken which cooked to perfection in eight hours on low, and a roast which also cooked to tender perfection in eight hours (even though it wasn't a high quality cut).
So in conclusion I would highly recommend this slow cooker on the basis of the limited use I have had with it cooking two meals.

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Enjoy healthy, home-cooked meals even with a busy schedule thanks to this modern-looking programmable slow cooker. Simply add ingredients to the unit's round-shaped ceramic pot, insert the pot into the cooker, and set the 10-hour countdown timer. After a long day at work or a busy day of weekend errands, dinner will be ready and waiting. Perfect for soups, casseroles, pot roasts, curries, and more, its 5-quart capacity works great for medium-size families or when gathering with friends. The slow cooker provides a user-friendly touchpad control panel and three cooking modes that include high, low, and keep warm. When the cook time ends, the appliance automatically shifts to "warm" for up to two hours, so dinner stays hot and ready to serve without overcooking. Other highlights include a tempered glass lid for keeping an eye on the cooking process, large stay-cool side handles for safe transport, nonslip feet, and stainless-steel housing with chrome accents. The ceramic cooking pot doubles as a serving dish and cleans up easily by hand or in the dishwasher at the end of the evening. Compact and stylish, the slow cooker measures 13 by 11-4/5 by 9-3/5 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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Cuisinart PSC-400 Stainless-Steel 4-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker Review

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(More customer reviews)We have had this slow cooker for three months, using it twice a week. So far we are very satisfied.
In researching our purchase and reading numerous reviews, we found that the Cuisinart generally received positive evaluations. There were a few negative ones, but obviously we discounted them and went ahead with the Cuisinart anyway. Some reviewers criticized it for overheating food, but overheating in a slow cooker is usually a sign that the pot was underfilled. A good slow cooker should have the power to heat a full pot to over 200 F, so it should come as no surprise that the heater can boil a low pot. The Cuisinart instructions specifically warn against underfilled pots, and we have had no overheating problems with even half-full pots.
We have not had this cooker long enough to comment on durability. Contrary to some opinions, our impression is that the Cuisinart is a solidly constructed, well-designed appliance, made with high quality materials. No sign of a lemon here.
We use our 4 qt cooker to make meals for a family of four. We debated whether to get a larger size, but in retrospect we realize that a one gallon pot holds more than enough for our family.
Programmability was important to us, and we like the userfriendliness of this unit. A few reviewers have lamented the lack of a delayed start program, but a feature that encourages you to leave raw food at room temperature for a prolonged period did not sound that desirable to me. The cooker will automatically switch to a safe warming mode in case you are not around at the end of the cooking cycle.
A cookbook is included, but most of the recipes are one or two steps beyond the convenience of a mix-and-go meal. We have bought cookbooks with simpler recipes, and have been happy with the results.
There are other slow cookers that will perform the basic tasks competently for less money than the Cuisinart. For the extra cost you get programmability, a nice appearance, superior quality, and a few unexpected extras.

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Beautifully housed in brushed stainless steel with cool-touch chrome-plated handles and black accents, this programmable slow cooker offers more than just good looks. The exceptionally convenient countertop appliance makes it easier than ever to cook healthy homemade meals, delicious side dishes, and mouthwatering desserts for the family at home or to bring to a potluck or picnic. Simply add ingredients to the removable 4-quart round-shaped ceramic cooking pot, set it in the base, and cover with the glass lid, which comes with a stainless-steel rim and chrome-plated knob. Then press "on" from the user-friendly touchpad control panel and choose from three cooking modes--simmer, low, or high. The cooker offers a 24-hour programmable cook time, an LCD countdown timer, and a keep-warm mode that the unit automatically shifts over to once the cooking time has ended. Other highlights include wrap-around heating elements for thorough heat distribution, nonslip rubber feet, retractable cord storage, and dishwasher-safe parts (lid and ceramic pot) for quick cleanup. Accessories include a cooking rack for use with ramekins or other bakeware, a spiral-bound recipe book with 70 basic to gourmet dishes, and an instruction book for getting started. The slow cooker measures approximately 11-2/3 by 16-3/5 by 14 inches and carries a three-year limited warranty.

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Crock-Pot SCVT650-PS 6-1/2-Quart Programmable Touch Screen Slow Cooker, Stainless Review

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(More customer reviews)I spent a year looking for a good slow cooker that (1) When set on low did not boil food too hot (2) Could hold enough for large batch cooking (3) Did not have a hinged lid (hard to clean and breaks easily) (4) Is programmable for a set amount of time, then switches to warm (5) Was reasonably priced. I tried cheapo store brand round slow cookers which nuked my food - no need to explain since most people have had one at one point or another. Last fall I purchased the top of the line All Clad slow cooker with non-stick insert from Williams Sonoma. After sales tax it cost me a little over $300 which made me nervous. The first meal I made in it was braised short ribs. I browned the ribs in the slow cooker insert on the stove and set it on low for several hours. The food was delish and it kept a gentle simmer but I was horrified to find light scratch marks on the inside of the insert as I was washing the dishes. I used the All Clad for several days and then finally returned it because I couldn't bear the thought of having paid that much money for something that wasn't going to last. Besides, I felt a bit weird about simmering food for many hours in that non-stick coating that may one day start coming off. I then decided to look for a traditional crock pot with a timer - if I need to saute or brown I now do it in a cast iron pan the night before, deglaze, then dump all of the contents into a container that goes into the fridge if I am going to start the crock in the morning. When I get up I fill up the crock pot with the prepped food from the night before, hit the buttons, then leave for work. So far this ELume version has been great.
Pros: The low setting is actually a low simmer. I've made Indian lentil/dahl curries, bbq pulled pork, baked beans, Chinese jook/congee, Beef stew, Chili verde,red chili, soups, stock, the list goes on. I typically program it to cook for 10 hours on low and it works like a charm. Food is really slow cooked, and there are no hot spots, burned, stuck on food like previous appliances I've owned. The polished stainless finish looks beautiful - although not it does not have as high of quality finish as the All Clad.
Cons: The programmable button/pad area can be improved - the numbers are difficult to read unless you are looking at it directly at eye level, meaning you have to bend down to see what you're pressing. Mine came with a burned-out area on the keypad but I didn't bother returning it since it didn't affect the function - you can still see that it's the "on" button, it just doesn't light up. The black keypad part feels a tad cheap and you can almost pry it off if you wanted to (esp. when it gets hot) because it's glued on (!) albeit very sturdily - hopefully this lasts for a while. The crock pot itself gets a bit hot when cooking but not excessively hot like ones I've had before.
Bottom Line: I paid about $75 for this including tax. Purchased at Linens N Things with a coupon. I'm giving this a four star rating - good quality for that price but I would pay no more. Compared to my week of owning a $300 slow cooker, this is a bargain.

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Enjoy healthy, home-cooked meals even with a busy schedule thanks to this easy-to-use oval-shaped slow cooker. A nice size when cooking for 8 or 9 people, the 6-1/2-quart unit can hold a 7-pound roast and works well for making soups, casseroles, stews, curries, and much more. Simply add ingredients to the unit's stoneware crock, insert it in the cooker, set the glass lid in place, and program the cooking time from 30 minutes to 20 hours using the eLume touchscreen control panel. Its digital timer counts down the time remaining, and the appliance automatically shifts to keep-warm mode at the end of the cooking time. The digital timer also keeps track of time spent in keep-warm mode, counting up in one-minute increments for up to six hours. Thoughtfully designed, the removable stoneware crock doubles as a serving dish and, along with its lid, cleans up easily by hand or in the dishwasher. Other highlights include a polished stainless-steel exterior, a large-loop lid handle, and stylish metal side handles with silicone stay-cool wraps for safe transport. Not sure what to cook first? CrockPot throws in a bonus cookbook with a range of delicious recipe ideas. The beautiful and versatile slow cooker measures approximately 16-1/2 by 8-2/3 by 12-1/5 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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