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While there is a plethora of crockpot brands and models to choose from, if you are shopping around for a non-crockpot slow cooker, your choices are much more limited. Like I explained in this article, a basic slow cooker consists of a pot sitting on top of a separate hot plate instead of the pot fitting inside of the heating element.
What’s nice about the slow cooker is that typically the hot plate can normally also double as a griddle, and it’s normally nonstick, as well, for easy clean up.
When I was looking online to try and find the best slow cookers out there, I found myself clicking on links for the same manufacturer over and over again. It seems that there is really only one company that makes these types of slow cookers anymore, and that is West Bend. There was one other brand out there, Silver Line, but I wasn’t able to find any reviews and only two websites that sold it, so I have no way of knowing its quality, durability, etc.
West Bend 84905 5-Quart Oblong-Shaped Slow Cooker
West Bend makes both a 5-quart and a 6-quart model, and both products, on many different websites, receive rave reviews. Several reviews specifically mention the durability of this brand, with customers mentioning that they were buying a new model only because their old West Bend slow cooker had finally died after many, many years of use. While the USDA recommends using this type of slow cooker only for soups, stews, and other dishes of small-cut pieces, for food-safety purposes, many of the reviews I read also mentioned cooking lots of different dishes in these slow cookers with wonderful results.
West Bend 84966 Versatility Oval-Shaped 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
So, it would appear that, even though you don’t have the quite the selection available when looking to buy a slow cooker like this, the two main options available are very reliable, durable, and of good quality. Other than the slight difference in size, the only other variation between these two models is that the 5-quart model is manual with 5 different temperature options, numbered 1-5, while the 6-quart model is digital and programmable, with 4 settings of warm, low, high, and griddle, with an automatic Keep Warm function and auto-shut off after 24 hours. There is a myriad of options for the 5 quart model to include options with a black standard tote back and red, blue, or green colored pots with color coordinated insulated totes – all at slightly different price points.
West Bend 84915R Versatility Slow Cooker with Insulated Tote and Transport Lid, 5-Quart, Red.
All of these options are much more lightweight than the typical crockpot slow cookers that often come with a heavy ceramic or stoneware pot. Another pro is that the lightweight pots also come with a nonstick interior finish as well as having the nonstick griddle for the base. In all of the models, the lid and pot are dishwasher safe and can also be used on the stove, in the oven, or in the fridge. West Bend offers a 1-year warranty, and their slow cookers all come with a recipe booklet with tips and meal ideas.
West Bend 84915B Versatility Slow Cooker with Insulated Tote and Transport Lid, 5-Quart, Blue
All in all, though you don’t really have much of an opportunity to shop around when looking to buy a non-crockpot slow cooker, the West Bend models seem more than adequate for their purpose. If you were thinking about getting a crockpot, but you are looking for a little more bang for your buck by getting the bonus of a nonstick griddle with your purchase, then a West Bend slow cooker is probably just what you need.
About Ashley Martell
Ashley has enjoyed creative writing since she was six years old, when she wrote her first short story. She majored in English literature at the University of Montevallo. After years of professional work, she is now a stay-at-home mom of three, who uses her craft to write about her life and adventures in and out of the kitchen.
When my crockpot finally dies, I will purchase one of these slow cookers. It’s like getting two products for the price of one. I would definitely get in a color like green or blue. I love pops of color in the kitchen and what better way to bring in some color than with something functional.
I had my first one for at least 30 years and it was still working , although rough looking , i past it to mysingle son, i since bought a new one and hope to get my lifetime out of it, i have bought several crock pots but none hold up or cook as good as my West Bends
I have had this model for close to 8 years and I love it. I am ordering another one today because I have to have a back up in case my present one stops working due to age and constant use.
I have only used crock pots, not this type of slow cooker. I love the look of this West Bend one, particularly with the base serving as a griddle and the insulate tote. I have found it difficult to transport for pot lucks at work. These West Bend models look like they would make that simple. I really like making slow cooked meals, so this is definitely a product to check into more.
I am in the market for a new slow cooker, so I’ll have to give these a good consideration. Thanks for the idea!
I neither have a crock pot nor a slow cooker…thankfully i have never had the interest in purchasing one because if i did…i ‘d have spent hours on end at the shop wondering where to start and where to stop…then foodal.com comes a long and puts such woes at ease…am all smiles 🙂
I love this slow cooker. I had one that I used until it died. I gave one to my daughter and told her if she did not want it I would take back because I missed mine so much. I have another one but it is round and very heavy. The West Bend is the right size to put a chicken in without having to cut it up.
For christmas a few years back my daughter gave me a new crock-pot to keep me away from hers. I love it. I may get the programmable one that I see here.
We have owned one of these for years (since the early ’70s). I have my mother’s that she used and I have used for everything from pork roasts to soups to fondue. This model is very versatile and you can use it for so many things. However as the author mentioned, ours is beginning to age and we need to buy a new one. I would recommend this to everyone. We have really enjoyed using it for the last 40 years.
My mom would get really happy if I ever give her one like this, for sure. She loves all this kind of gadget and gear, she actually has a lot of different cooking pots and utensils, she doesn’t really use most of them, but she likes having them like a sort of furniture for the kitchen. Thank you for sharing this.
Ours works fine but the non-stick coating is pretty dead after 30+ years. Wondering if the 5Qt and 6Qt containers fit the same base? Sounds like they now offer the 6qt as upscale model. Has anyone compared them as to base compatibility?
Without a doubt, Westbend makes a great slow cooker! I’ve had mine for at least twenty years and while it looks a little worn after heavy use, it still works perfectly. I’ve since gotten two Rival crockpots that are not nearly as good, and in fact, have burned food more than once. The programmable one was so bad I gave it away, telling the recipient to be careful not to scorch the food. How is that even possible in a slow cooker? In any case, I plan to buy a Westbend for my son this year, and can’t recommend it enough.
Hi Robin, most (all?) slow cooker manufacturers were forced by the FDA to turn up their temperatures. It’s not ideal but we all have to adapt.
I have had 3 and used them all a lot. I love how you can sear a roast and then add the juice or water for cooking and it adds an extra taste to it. I have wore out 2 and my 3rd one the pot is flaking off so I hope to either get a new one or just replace the pot. I wish they would make a better inside. I just seen a new skillet with granite coating that you can use metal with and it doesn’t scratch it. I love my slow cooker and will always have one.
I HAVE USED THE SLO COOKER FOR 20 YRS. BUT NEED A NEW ONE. I WAS GIVEN A NEW LARGER ONE BUT IT DID NOT COME WITH ANY INSTRUCTION BOOK OR RECIPES. IS THERE A WEB SITE WITH THIS INFO?
Hi Pat,
Oh no! Fortunately most instruction manuals can be found online these days. Which model did you receive?
Horrified tonight to see after cooking a roast and having dinner upon cleanup the inside of my pan had peeled off and we ate the pieces which were large in size. It was like peeling paint, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. This is my third West Bend in 55 years and I have never seen this before. This pan is useless, what happened, was it made in China? Hope someone responds from West Bend.
I have had four WestBend crock pots over 30 plus years, and I love the old version. The last new one peeled inside, first use. It was replaced with the same model. I cannot control the heat, it boils on warm, and something is wrong with the base. Has anyone else had this problem? I am afraid to use it and it is brand new.
What model did you purchase, Maxine? This sounds like you may have received a faulty product. If you are filling your slow cooker correctly for its size (these appliances should be filled halfway to two-thirds full, and recipes for a different size than the one you have will typically need to be adjusted) then this one certainly isn’t working properly. My best advice is to contact the retailer where you purchased the item, and WestBend as well. The manufacturer offers a 1-year limited warranty on most items.
Using my new one for the first time today. Doing the same. Bubbling on as low as it can. Is it defective?
Sorry to hear it, Linda. Our advice is to contact West Bend customer service.
We had an original West Bend slow cooker for 10+ years. Rather dawdy in appearance. It was a “work horse,” and served us very well. Made in the USA. When it quit working, we went to get a replacement only to discover when it arrived, it was made in China. Nice looking and more modern than the original. Three years later it has crapped out.
As we have learned the hard way, one more time, it was just a cheap Chinese replica of the real thing. (In China, form is more important than function. Why would I expect something different?)
After 6 months the inside coating is coming off and now rusty where it peeled off.
It’s going in the trash, total waste of money.
I lucked out and found an old USA made version at Goodwill for 12 dollars, looks almost new! Now looking for recipes and cook times. Anyone know if cook times are the same vs. the China versions?
Good question, Susie. I’m not sure whether cooking times would be affected since the temperature controls are presumably the same. If you’re uncertain, you might try contacting the manufacturer to be sure.
I have one that I bought and the inside is peeling. How can I get a replacement?
How long ago did you buy it, Cassie? We recommend contacting customer service via the manufacturer’s website.
I have been married 50 years this year and have owned a west bend within a year of being married. The first one was a “bean” pot and was ceramic and really nice. The next Christmas my in-laws bought me a slow cooker that was also round but this one was brown enamel on outside and white enamel inside. Again a workhorse. But THEN they started making the oblong version with a griddle base. I had three of those over the next 35 years, usually two at a time. But the foot got broken on the newest one when I took it to a teachers appreciation lunch. So I got a new one with a glass lid with glass “ears” for handles. Same pot, just didn’t care as much for lid. But they were all still workhorses, used all the time. When the three of them started looking rough on the inside I decided to get one of the “new” style. Got a silver 5 qt and a blue 6 qt. Very pretty. Horrible pans. Within the first uses, the non stick coating peeled and started rusting. I decided we should not use them any longer. Didn’t keep receipts — cuz they are always workhorses. Not this time. Contacted West Bend but never received a response. Of course now that I’ve gotten rid of the old ones, I have none to use. Crockpots are extremely heavy and very un-user friendly. But as someone mentioned no one else makes this style. So sad for the death of a really wonderful product!
I have two of these, both “vintage”. I thrifted them and I love them. One of them is round and it’s my favorite because it fits on the stove perfectly. You can start your ingredients on the sto ve and then transfer it to the hot plate. Alas a round version is no longer in production. I also have the oblong and I use it the most for small roasts, country style spare ribs, pork loins, etc. Perfect shape. Not so perfect top. It’s all glass and gets very hot. I have debated buying one of these newer versions. I’m sure I will eventually. If West Bend would make another round version I’d buy everyone in my family one. I love mine. I am constantly on the eye out in the thrift stores for them.
I have both; a crockpot and a slow cooker. And both were given to me and I love them both. I received my slow cooker, some years back from a friend that moved away. Sometime ago, I had it resting on top of a back burner and went to turn on the stove and made the mistake of turning on “that” burner ( I have a very small kitchen, so there’s hardly any counter space). I panicked, thinking that I destroyed it, and was heartbroken. Another friend of mine gave me her crockpot, since she never use it. In the meantime, I took the housing of the slow cooker apart and inspected it closely. Only the bottom of the base was cracked and slightly damaged from the heat. Thank goodness for small mercies. I’m back in business! 🙂
I recently bought my second cooker for what ever reason this one pops all the time is this fixable
I’m not sure what you mean exactly, Dallas – is it making popping noises? According to the user manual from West Bend it’s normal to hear some expansion/contraction sounds during heating and cooling.
I have several older westbend slow cookers and I love them. I recently bought the 6 quart red with carrier but the finish on the inside of the pot is defective. It has bubbling. I am very disappointed and would like a replacement for the pot.