bit-tech Shopping: All Clad All-Clad Slow Cooker w/ 6.5qt Ceramic Insert

Rating: 2

Time with product: 1 Year

Strengths: Did a great job while it worked.

Weaknesses: Faulty electronics

Summary: I purchased the cooker in May of 2008 and used it approx. 8 or 9 times over the last 16 months until it quit working. I emailed All-Clad who replied with a list of service centers and sent the cooker off to be repaired. With S & H the cost would be approx. $130.00. My cooker is not being repaired. I agree a product that cost $179-199.00 should have a longer warranty and work longer before needing repairs.

Rating: 2

Time with product:

Strengths: The jury's out; it didn't work long enough to judge.

Weaknesses: It quit working after a few uses.

Summary: After much anticipation, I splurged and bought the All-Clad 6.5 qt slow cooker. Throughout the year, we used it only a few times for entertaining. The last time it would not turn on-- much to my dismay-- as the ingredients sat and we were needing to be out the door. Any product should work more than 4 times, and at that cost it is criminal. The company denies knowing anything about the problem; I had wanted to purchase a few for gifts-- thank goodness I didn't! The only recourse we have is to warn others.

Rating: 2

Time with product: 18 Months

Strengths: Cooks wonderfully

Weaknesses: If it breaks, you have to throw it away

Summary: I was thrilled to receive this cooker for my birthday 18 months ago. I've been very happy with it, and used it a lot. But I plugged it in a few weeks ago and it wouldn't turn on. The control panel showed 88888. The warranty is only 12 months, so I tried to get it repaired locally. It turns out that All-Clad won't supply parts. We called All-Clad and were told that they have no repair facility. They said that our only option is to buy a new one. I can't tell you how disappointed I am. For the price, they could at least cover it for three years. I couldn't possibly recommend this product.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 1 Week

Strengths: programmable timer, stainless finish

Weaknesses: kinda pricey, but offers additional features the competition does not offer

Summary: We too purchased this slow cooker based on the All-Clad reputation for high quality kitchen products. Noticed when googling "best slow cookers" that this one did not show up; However, we still purchased it because we love the stainless steel finish and the programmable timer. We have been very pleased with this slow cooker.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 1 Days

Strengths: Fine workmanship, Great results

Weaknesses: Price

Summary: We chose this slow cooker based on the allclad quality reputation. Chilli and chicken dishes came out wonderfully. However, with chicken breasts, you might want to cut your cooking time down about a half hour, and put the breasts in bone upward. We are new to slow cooking. Our first recipe using chicken breasts ( from Better Homes and Gardens Slow Cooking Cookbook ) came out SLIGHTY dry, so we consulted a friend with more experience, hence the preceeding cooking tips.