Monday, November 14, 2016

Proctor-Silex 33043 4-Quart Slow Cooker

  • Removable stoneware for easy cleaning
  • 4 quart capacity
  • Dishwasher safe stoneware
  • Keep warm setting
  • Dishwasher safe glass lid
If affordability and durable performance are what you expect in an electric appliance, look no further. Along with over 50 years of history in the appliance business, Proctor Silex has a long-standing commitment to quality.
In our lab, we rigorously test Proctor Silex appliances for durability and reliability. Only when an appliance meets our exacting standards is it ready for the final proving ground – your home. Take one home today and you’ll experience firsthand the reliability that wins us praise from consumers.

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By Not a Vine member
This Crock Pot is so much nicer than the other one in the same price range here. I bought a Rival Crock Pot at Walmart, that overheated, had a bad fitting lid and low was a boil.

This little baby arrived yesterday and I couldn't be happier. It has a warm setting, doesn't leak or spit like the other one did, and heated right up to right temperature right away. It even has a Warm setting so I can leave my soup on all day without overcooking.

Buy this Crock Pot, you will be glad you did!

By KD
This is a great appliance at a bargain price. The internal crock is heavy and well glazed. The glass lid fit great with no bubbles or steam escaping. There are 3 settings; high, low, & warm and the temps for each seem accurate. It looks great in my kitchen and easy to clean and store. Why pay more, this one is all I need!

By Belle Gayer
This slow cooker is excellent. It is very inexpensive but works perfectly and cleans up like a dream. I didn't want or need extra electronics or automatic shutoff, and if you don't either, I don't known why you would spend more. Highly recommended, and I am particular.

By A. Quint
I've had a lot of trouble finding a good slow cooker. Most of the ones I've had seem to cook too fast; often have little difference between high and low settings; sometimes have hot spots, with one area cooking at a higher temperature and, as the liquid is absorbed, creating crusty or brown areas which, if left unattended, eventually burn. I've had one that arrived with a severely warped ceramic liner, making it impossible to create the seal necessary for slow cooking. I also had one that cooked satisfactorily but emanated so much heat from below that the legs burned my counter. I've never found a completely satisfactory 6 qt, and the Nesco 6 qt roaster/slow cooker with temperature adjustability purchased by some to achieve slower cooking was so poorly made (see my review) that I sent it back.
It may not be a 6 quart, but at least THIS ONE WORKS!!! The low setting cooks at a simmer; the high setting produces strong bubbling around the edges but doesn't boil; the warm setting keeps things warm. The ceramic liner cleans up easily. The cover creates a proper seal, and the liner has the correct shape and right amount of overhang so that it's easy to lift from the base. If the 4-quart size works for you and you're looking for a simple slow cooker without electronic bells and whistles, this one is worth trying (not to mention that a filled-to-the top 4 quart is a lot easier to lift off the counter and heave into the refrig than a 6 quart, and I'm a pretty strong person). Personally, I'd opt for a 4-quart unit that functions well rather than a problematic 6-quart, and virtually none of the 6-quart models get consistently top ratings. As far as I'm concerned, this Proctor-Silex is a keeper!

***UPDATE after one month (3 or 4 times) of use: I'm going to have to subtract a star or two. I'm still pleased with not having to worry about things being burned by excessively hot coils, but it unfortunately appears that the ceramic insert has warped somewhat, so that the lid no longer sits flat and provides a proper seal. Therefore now a relatively full pot cooking at "low" barely even simmers, and the "high" setting must be used to actually cook. This still suits my needs (more or less, and better than the too hot alternative), but it definitely doesn't warrant the five star rating it did when new.

By RR
Works great, good purchase. Constant heat and I can leave on for 24 hours no problem. Does the job everytime.

By Stephanie Sullivan
Update at the bottom... read on

When I decided to buy a slow cooker from Amazon the geeky part of me wanted to get fancy displays and program capability. Then my practical side kicked-in and I realized all that fancy stuff will not make the food taste better. I saw this Proctor-Silex slow cooker while researching the right crock pot for someone who lives alone. All the excellent ratings and the very low price made this a obvious best value. In short I think it fits that description with some minor points.

The first couple of meals I cooked seemed to take unexpectedly long; up to twice what the times the menus suggested. Recently the cooker begin coming in right on time. I've no explanation why but cooking times fit recipes for the last couple of meals. Maybe there was something that just needed breaking in?

I am completely happy with the P-S 33043. The 4 quart size is right for someone who lives alone or a couple. I can cook a hearty meal and leftovers for several days. Slow cooking infuses spices nicely into what I've cooked so far (a beef roast, turkey wing stew, and a whole chicken with veggies).

Cleanup is very easy and so far no issues like those reported in some other reviews with the finish of the crockery.

I've only had it for a little while so I'll be updating the review as I learn more.

I give it 5 stars as it fits my needs just about perfectly.

Update: Dec 15, 2013
It's a little soon for an update but I just took a taste of the boneless leg of lamb with Garlic, Lemon and Rosemary I've been cooking all day. Wow, is it good! The gluten-free recipe is from The Everything Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Cookbook and it is just about ready. It has taken a little longer than I expected but I allowed for this. Maybe I got one with a less "high" setting for "high".

One thing is certainly true - all those tech bells and whistles and displays that are on some other slow cookers aren't needed. The one thing I would like on the Proctor-Silex 33043 is a light indicating it's turned on. But even that is just a nit. Happy cooking and eating!

Update Mar 25, 2014
I've cooked many delicious meals in my Proctor Silex Slow cooker. When I got the opportunity to try out a high end ($220 list) slow cooker at no charge I was thrilled. Would it be 11 times better than my trusty Proctor Silex?

When I tested the 360 Cookware Gourmet Slow Cooker, 4-Quart I realized it wasn't just a slow cooker but a high-end stock pot and heating base. If you are interested in a premium stock pot with a base that makes it a very good slow cooker, and you've got the money to invest it may be worth a look.

I did have meals come out better in the 360 Slow Cooker but I didn't think it was 11 times better. If you are just interested in a slow cooker the Proctor Silex does well at less than 10% of the cost.

By Bill
We love it. The size is just right for our needs and We'll use it a lot! It does a great pot roast with vegetables. Open the freezer and dump in a couple of bags of our home grown vegetables along with some beef and a stock and wait for the results.

By L. D. Lee
Was looking to downsize my 7qt. crock pot . This is well made and a perfect size for two people. Came in perfect condition.
Would recommend it.

By Robert Sculley
I bought this to replace my dad’s old 3.5 quart crock pot with non-removable crockery. The old crock pot still works great, but cleanup is a real pain. The removable dishwasher safe crockery insert and glass lid for the Proctor-Silex model solves the cleanup issue. After the first four uses, no problems with the new crock pot. The lid fits well, the bottom of the crock pot is as well insulated as the old one, and the sides of the crock pot do not get as hot as I expected when cooking on the low setting (I have a Rival crock pot that gets much hotter). As noted in another review, the metal rim at the top of the pot (below the rim of the crockery insert) does get much hotter than the sides of the crock pot, and can be a bit of a burn hazard. The power cord is shorter than the one on the old crock pot (only about 30 inches), but that has not been a problem. Based on four different meals in the crock pot, cooking times for the Proctor-Silex model are essentially the same as for the old crock pot. I cook primarily on the low setting, with a couple of hours on high when necessary. I used a meat thermometer to check the internal food temperature when cooking on low. I got 190 degrees F after about 3 hours on low for a meal with a high liquid content, and 170 degrees F in the center of the pot after about 2 hours on low for a meal with no added liquid (heating a pre-cooked turkey and cornbread stuffing casserole). Those readings show a proper cooking temperature at the low setting, and one that is not excessively high. While I did not bother to check the internal temperature on the high setting, a couple of hours on high brings things to a proper slow simmer.

By mwh191
I love this slow cooker. I had tried some other brands that called themselves slow cookers, but ended up burning my food. It seems that the recent models of most brands cook faster and hotter than I wanted. With those other cookers, recipes that called for 8 hours on the Low setting often burned or boiled dry after 5-6 hours, and were completely overcooked if not burned at the 8 hour mark. With this Proctor Silex slow cooker, my food cooks at the right temperature.

                                                

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