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Crock-Pot

Crock-Pot 6-Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker: the downsides first

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#4 of 8
$$Programmable6 qtScore 3.3/5
6%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)About 35,200 ratings pooled with the 7-qt Cook & Carry and Design Series programmable listings. This listing is model CPSCVC60LL-S; Food Network names SCCPVL610-S.

A classic Crock-Pot with the sturdiest locking lid for carrying food and a digital timer. Experts disagree sharply on heat: Food Network found it safe and tender, while Serious Eats and Wirecutter found it ran hot, and Serious Eats measured a 190°F exterior.

Top complaints

  • Runs hot

    Serious Eats got overcooked, mushy beans, and Wirecutter says all the Crock-Pots it tested cooked hot on low and finished early. Amazon's summary says heat control is mixed, with some owners saying it gets too hot.

    Source: Serious Eats, Wirecutter (NYT), Amazon.com product page (Customers say)
  • Hot exterior (disputed)

    Serious Eats measured the outside at 190°F, which it called dangerously warm. Food Network found the exterior never exceeded 87°F, one of the coolest it tested.

    Source: Serious Eats, Food Network
  • Early breakdowns; confusing buttons

    Amazon's summary says several owners report units breaking within 20 uses. Food Network found the basic interface confusing to program.

    Source: Amazon.com product page (Customers say), Food Network

What owners love

Good for
  • Carrying food to potlucks
  • Simple timer cooking
  • Fans of the classic Crock-Pot

Scores (tap for why)

  • Even cooking2.5
    Why 2.5?Tender meat at Food Network, but overcooked beans at Serious Eats; Wirecutter says Crock-Pots ran hot on low, and Amazon owners are mixed on heat.
    Source: Food Network, Serious Eats, Wirecutter (NYT)
  • Settings & timer3.0
    Why 3.0?Digital timer with auto-warm, but no probe, and Food Network found programming confusing.
    Source: Food Network, Wirecutter (NYT)
  • Lid seal & portability4.5
    Why 4.5?Hefty lid locks and a sealed lid (Wirecutter, Food Network); the lid lock is a praised Amazon aspect. Serious Eats' hot-exterior reading counts against it.
    Source: Wirecutter (NYT), Food Network, Amazon.com product page
  • Durability3.0
    Why 3.0?6% of ratings are 1-2 stars, but Amazon owners report units breaking within 20 uses.
    Source: Amazon.com product page

What experts say

  • Food Network: Best portable (August 2026): a sealed lid and a cool exterior; the interface is confusing to program.
  • Wirecutter (NYT): Fine basic cooker with a locking lid, but no probe, and Crock-Pots ran hot on low in its tests.
  • Serious Eats: Not recommended: it overcooked beans and its exterior reached 190°F.
Check price on AmazonWe don't list prices — they change daily. Paid link.

If that catch is a deal-breaker

Highly ranked slow cookers whose biggest complaint is something else.

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The most widely recommended slow cooker, with a probe thermometer, a programmable timer and a clip-down lid that travels without spills. Serious Eats found it ran hot and overcooked beans, and some Amazon owners report crocks breaking.

Its catch: small handles, short probe, heavy crock#2 in slow cookersGreenPan Elite 6-Quart Slow Cooker

Serious Eats' best slow cooker: it held a steady 195-205°F, browned meat in the pot, cleaned up easily and stayed cool outside. It's expensive and large, testers found the control panel confusing, and it has few Amazon ratings so far.

Its catch: confusing control panel#3 in slow cookersNinja Everyday PossibleCooker Pro, 6.5 Qt

A light, good-looking multicooker with excellent controls that made the best beans at Serious Eats and among the best short ribs at Food & Wine. Its pot sits exposed and gets very hot (140°F outside), and testers saw scorching on the bottom.

Its catch: pot gets very hot to the touch

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