Product Description

Programmable technology makes homemade meals easier than ever! This Cuisinart Slower Cooker features 24 hour programmable countdown timer, three cooking modes- and it automatically shifts to Warm when it's done cooking! Whether preparing one-pot entrees, sides, or desserts, operation is easy. Meals can be served in the ceramic pot they're cooked in, and cleanup is dishwasher-quick. Designed for today's busy lifestyles, all the work is done ahead of time. Dinnertime is as relaxing for the cook as it is for the diners. Enjoy!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1017 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Size: 4 qt
• Color: Brushed stainless steel
• Brand: Cuisinart
• Model: PSC-400
• Released on: 2007-09-01
• Dimensions: 16.65 pounds

Features

• Touchpad control panel with LCD timer display and 24 hour timer. Off/On, Keep Warm, Simmer, Low and High settings.
• Removable 4 quart round ceramic cooking pot that automatically shifts to "Warm" when cook time ends.
• Brushed stainless steel housing with chrome-plates handles with glass lid with stainless steel rim and chrome-plated knob. Non-slip rubber feet.
• Dishwasher safe lid and ceramic pot.
• Includes cooking rack for use with ramekins or other bakeware and spiral bound recipe book with 70 basic to gourmet dishes and instruction book

Customer Reviews

Excellent choice for a truly useful appliance
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.

boiling, not slow cooking
I was interested in a smaller size slow cooker but I wanted the programming features of the larger cookers. The Cuisinart 650 model has a lot of criticisms and plenty of 1 star ratings, but most of the reviews for both the CSC-400 and PSC-400 were positive. Unfortunately, every negative comment of the larger model is true with the PSC-400 I bought:

-the low temperature setting is too high
-the high setting boils the food
-escaping steam causes the lid to rattle constantly
-condensation runs down the outside of the pot

After researching how a slow cooker is "suppose" to work, I find descriptions such as this: "Slow cookers are designed to emit very little steam, so food braises in its own juices, as well as any cooking liquid."

The USDA website says: "The direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking and steam created within the tightly-covered container combine to destroy bacteria and make the slow cooker a safe process for cooking foods."

The Cuisinart PSC-400 does not slow cook. It boils. It rattles.

Lastly, yes, it looks great, but it is a space hog.

Beautiful and works well
This is a perfect slow cooker. Perfect size when following slow cooker recipes for "medium round." Very stylish...matches my Cuisinart rice cooker. I like the fact that I can set the timer for whatever time I want. When the time is up, the cooker sets to "keep" mode. Very easy to clean and takes up little space compared to my larger slow cooker. The lid fits perfectly with no escape of liquid.