- How many people does a 5-quart slow cooker feed?
- About four to five adults, or a family of four with leftovers. The oval crock fits a 4- to 5-pound chicken or a 3-pound roast.
- Does it have a timer or programmable settings?
- No. It is a manual cooker with a dial for heat levels, so you set it and switch it off yourself. Cookers with a programmable timer cost more and let you set cook time and auto keep-warm.
- Can I put the ceramic crock in the oven or dishwasher?
- The ceramic insert is generally safe in a dishwasher, but check the base and lid before oven use, since many slow cooker crocks are not oven-safe. Hand washing the crock prolongs its life.
- Is the lid locking for travel?
- No. The glass lid sits on top without a locking strap, so it is not made for carrying to potlucks. Transport it in a box or with the lid taped down.
- How does it compare with a digital slow cooker?
- It is simpler and has fewer parts to fail, but it lacks a timer, keep-warm mode and probe. A digital cooker like the Crock-Pot Programmable gives more control for a higher cost.
- What size is the oval crock compared with a round one?
- The oval shape is longer front to back, which fits roasts and whole birds that a round 5-quart pot cannot hold. It takes similar counter space.
- Where is the Better Chef 5-Quart Oval Slow Cooker-Stainless cheapest?
- At Target, for $34.99, 44% under what the other stores charge, as of our latest check.
- Where can I buy the Better Chef 5-Quart Oval Slow Cooker-Stainless?
- 6 stores we checked sell it, including ShopSimon, eBay, Balec Group, Target, Touch of Modern.