Beautiful 8qt Slow Cooker by Drew Barrymore Reviews in 2023

Are you looking for a versatile, stylish, and easy-to-use appliance that can help you prepare delicious meals for your family and friends? If so, check out the Beautiful 8qt Slow Cooker by Drew Barrymore, a stunning product that combines functionality and aesthetics.

This slow cooker is part of the Drew Barrymore Kitchen Collection, a collaboration between the actress and entrepreneur and the brand Made by Gather. The collection features a range of kitchen appliances and accessories that reflect Drew’s passion for cooking, entertaining, and design.

This article will review the Beautiful 8qt Slow Cooker in detail, exploring its features, functions, performance, pros and cons, and more. We will also compare it with some of the competing products in the market and answer frequently asked questions about it. By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of whether this slow cooker is the right choice for you.

The Benefits of Slow Cookers

Before diving into the specifics of the Beautiful 8qt Slow Cooker, let’s take a moment to appreciate the benefits of using a slow cooker. A kitchen gadget known as a slow cooker is designed to cook food at a low temperature for an extended period, usually lasting between 4 to 10 hours. This method of cooking has several advantages, such as:

Saving time and energy: With a slow cooker, you can dump all the ingredients into the pot, set the timer and temperature, and let it do its magic. You don’t have to constantly monitor or stir the food or use multiple pots and pans. This frees up your time and energy for other tasks or activities.

Enhancing flavor and texture: A slow cooker allows the food to simmer in its juices, creating rich and complex flavors. It also tenderizes tough cuts of meat, making them fall off the bone soft. You can also use a slow cooker to make soups, stews, casseroles, desserts, and more.

Reducing waste and cost: A slow cooker can help you use up leftovers or ingredients that are about to expire, reducing food waste and saving money. You can also buy cheaper cuts of meat perfect for slow cooking, such as chuck roast, pork shoulder, or chicken thighs.

Introducing Drew Barrymore’s Kitchen Collection

Drew Barrymore is a talented actress, producer, and passionate home cook and hostess. She loves experimenting with different cuisines and recipes and sharing them with her loved ones. She also has a keen eye for design and style, evident in her various ventures in fashion, beauty, and home decor.

The Drew Barrymore Kitchen Collection reflects her taste and vision for creating beautiful spaces and experiences. The collection consists of several products designed to make cooking fun, easy, and enjoyable. Some of these products are:

• Beautiful 6-Slice Touchscreen Air Fryer Toaster Oven: A multifunctional appliance that can air fry, bake, broil, toast, dehydrate, and more. It has a large capacity, a touchscreen control panel, and a sleek design.

• Beautiful 14-Cup Programmable Touchscreen Coffee Maker: A coffee maker that can brew up to 14 cups with customizable strength and temperature settings. It has a touchscreen display, a reusable filter basket, and a stainless steel carafe.

• Beautiful Electric Citrus Juicer: A juicer that can extract fresh juice from oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, and more. It has a powerful motor, an adjustable pulp control dial, and a drip-free spout.

• Beautiful Electric Kettle: A kettle that can boil water quickly and safely with an auto-shutoff feature. It has a cordless base, a water level indicator window, and an LED light ring.

• Beautiful 2-Slice Touchscreen Toaster: A toaster that can toast bread, bagels, English muffins, and more with seven browning levels and three pre-set functions. It has a touchscreen display, a high-lift lever, and a removable crumb tray.

• Beautiful 8qt Slow Cooker: The star of this article is a slow cooker that can cook up to eight quarts of food with four temperature settings and a digital timer. It has a removable ceramic pot, a tempered glass lid, and a gorgeous floral pattern.

Features and Functions

Now that we have introduced the Beautiful 8qt Slow Cooker and its place in the Drew Barrymore Kitchen Collection let’s take a closer look at its features and functions.

The Beautiful 8qt Slow Cooker has a simple and intuitive design that makes it easy to use and operate. It has a digital control panel with four buttons: power, temperature, timer, and warm.

The power button turns the slow cooker on and off. The temperature button allows you to choose from four settings: low, medium, high, and warm. The low setting is ideal for cooking food for 8 to 10 hours, the medium setting for 6 to 8 hours, the high setting for 4 to 6 hours, and the warm setting for keeping the food warm after it is cooked.

The timer button allows you to set the cooking time in increments of 30 minutes, up to 20 hours. The slow cooker will automatically switch to the warm setting once the timer is up.

The warm button allows you to switch to the warm setting anytime during cooking manually.

The slow cooker also has a digital display that shows the temperature and the remaining time.

The Beautiful 8qt Slow Cooker has a large capacity to accommodate up to eight quarts of food. This means you can cook enough food for a large family or a party. You can also use the slow cooker to make batches of food that you can freeze and reheat later.

The slow cooker has a removable ceramic pot that is durable, non-stick, and easy to clean. You can also use the pot as a serving dish, as it has two handles for easy lifting and carrying.

The slow cooker has a tempered glass lid that is transparent, sturdy, and dishwasher-safe. You can use the lid to monitor the cooking progress without opening it and releasing heat or moisture.

The slow cooker has a beautiful floral pattern that adds a touch of elegance and charm to your kitchen. The pattern is inspired by Drew Barrymore’s love for flowers and nature and matches the other products in the collection.

Performance

Now that we have covered the features and functions of the Beautiful 8qt Slow Cooker let’s see how it performs in different cooking scenarios. We tested the slow cooker with three recipes: beef stew, chicken curry, and apple crisp. Here are our findings:

Beef Stew

We followed this recipe for beef stew, which requires browning the beef cubes in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker along with vegetables, broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, herbs, and seasonings. We set the slow cooker high and cooked the stew for six hours.

The result was a hearty and flavorful stew with tender beef and vegetables. The broth was thick and rich, and the herbs and seasonings added depth and complexity. The slow cooker did a great job distributing heat evenly and maintaining a consistent temperature throughout the cooking process. The stew was easy to serve and enjoy with crusty bread or mashed potatoes.

Chicken Curry

We followed this recipe for chicken curry, which requires adding chicken pieces, onion, garlic, ginger, curry paste, coconut milk, chicken stock, tomato paste, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker. We set the slow cooker low and cooked the curry for eight hours.

The result was a creamy, spicy curry with succulent chicken and aromatic spices. The coconut milk added richness and sweetness, while the curry paste added heat and colour. The slow cooker preserved the moisture and flavour of the chicken and infused it with the curry sauce. The curry was delicious with some rice or naan bread.

Apple Crisp

We followed this recipe for apple crisp, which requires tossing sliced apples with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch in a large bowl before transferring them to the slow cooker. Then we mixed oats, flour, brown sugar, butter, salt, and pecans in another bowl and sprinkled them over the apple mixture. We set the slow cooker high and cooked the crisp for four hours.

The result was a delicious dessert with soft apples and crunchy topping. The apples were sweet and tangy, while the topping was buttery and nutty. The slow cooker created a nice contrast between the moist apple layer and the crisp oat layer. The crisp was perfect with some vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Pros and Cons

Our testing and research have identified some of the pros and cons of the Beautiful 8qt Slow Cooker. Here they are:

Pros

• Large capacity: The slow cooker can cook up to eight quarts, enough for a big family or a crowd.
• Easy to use: The slow cooker has a simple and intuitive control panel with four buttons and a digital display.
• Versatile: If you have a slow cooker, you can easily prepare various meals, such as soups, stews, casseroles, and desserts.
• Stylish: The slow cooker has a beautiful floral pattern that adds charm and elegance to your kitchen.
• Removable pot and lid: The slow cooker has a removable ceramic pot and a tempered glass lid that are durable, non-stick, and easy to clean. You can also use the pot as a serving dish.
• Warm setting: The slow cooker has a warm setting that keeps the food warm after it is cooked or allows you to switch to it at any time manually.

Cons

• Heavy: The slow cooker is quite heavy, especially when it is full of food. It might be challenging to move or store it.
• No locking lid: The slow cooker does not have a locking lid, which means it is unsuitable for transporting food without spilling or leaking.
• No delay start: The slow cooker has no delay start feature, so you cannot program it to start cooking later.

Maintenance and Care

To ensure the longevity and optimal performance of the Beautiful 8qt Slow Cooker, you should follow these maintenance and care instructions:

• Before using the slow cooker for the first time, wash the pot and lid with warm soapy water and dry them thoroughly.
• Do not use abrasive cleaners or scouring pads on the pot or lid, as they might damage the surface. Use a soft cloth or sponge instead.
• Do not immerse the base unit in water or any other liquid, as it might cause electric shock or damage. To clean it, use a damp cloth and ensure it is completely dry.
• Do not use metal utensils on the pot, as they might scratch the surface. Use wooden, plastic, or silicone utensils instead.
• Please do not place the pot or lid in the oven, microwave, or freezer, as they might crack or warp. Use them only in the slow cooker base unit.
• Please do not place the pot or lid on a hot stove, as they might melt or burn. Place them on a heat-resistant surface instead.
• Please only fill the pot at most three-quarters full, as it might overflow during cooking. Leave some space for expansion and bubbling.
• Only cook food directly in the base unit with the pot, as it might cause fire or damage. Always use the pot when cooking food in the slow cooker.
• Please do not cover the vent holes on the lid with foil or anything else, as they allow steam to escape and prevent pressure buildup.
• Do not lift or move the slow cooker when it is hot or in use, as it might cause burns or spills. Please wait until it cools down completely before handling it.

Safety Features and Guidelines

The Beautiful 8qt Slow Cooker has some safety features and guidelines that you should follow to prevent accidents or injuries. Here they are:

• The slow cooker has an auto-shutoff feature that turns off the power automatically when the timer is up or when there is no water in the pot.
• The slow cooker has a cord storage compartment that allows you to store the excess cord neatly and safely.
• The slow cooker has a polarized plug that fits into a polarized outlet only one way. This diminishes the likelihood of suffering an electric shock.
• The slow cooker has cool-touch handles that prevent burns when lifting or carrying the pot or lid.
• The slow cooker has rubber feet that prevent slipping or sliding on the countertop.
• Always plug the slow cooker into a grounded outlet with a 120V AC power supply. Avoid using a cord extender or a converter.
• Always place the slow cooker on a flat, stable, heat-resistant surface away from flammable materials, children, pets, and water sources.
• Always use oven mitts or potholders when handling the pot or lid, as they might be hot to the touch.
• Always unplug the slow cooker when not in use or before cleaning it. Allow it to reach frosty before storing it.

Comparison with Competing Products

The Beautiful 8qt Slow Cooker is not the only 8qt slow cooker in the market. Several other products offer similar features and functions. How does it compare with them? Let’s find out.

We have selected three competing products for comparison: Crock-Pot 8qt Programmable Slow Cooker, Hamilton Beach 8qt Programmable Slow Cooker, and Instant Pot Duo Nova 8qt 7-in-1 Multi-Cooker.

Here is a graph that highlights their major differences:

Feature	Beautiful 8qt Slow Cooker	Crock-Pot 8qt Programmable Slow Cooker	Hamilton Beach 8qt Programmable Slow Cooker	Instant Pot Duo Nova 8qt 7-in-1 Multi-Cooker
Price	$$$	$$$	$$$	$$$
Design	Floral pattern	Stainless steel finish	Black finish	Stainless steel finish
Control Panel	Digital with four buttons	Digital with five buttons	Digital with four buttons	Digital with 14 buttons
Temperature Settings	Low, medium, high, warm	Low, high, warm	Low, high, warm	Low, normal, high
Timer Settings	30 minutes to 20 hours	30 minutes to 20 hours	30 minutes to 18 hours	1 minute to 99 hours
Delay Start	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Locking Lid	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Removable Pot	Ceramic	Stoneware	Stoneware	Stainless steel
Dishwasher-Safe Pot and Lid	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Additional Functions	None	None	None	Pressure cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté, yogurt maker, warmer

As you can see, the Beautiful 8qt Slow Cooker has advantages and disadvantages over its competitors. Some of its advantages are:

• It has a unique and attractive design that stands out from the rest.
• It has a medium-temperature setting that offers more flexibility and control over the cooking process.
• It has a ceramic pot that is more durable and non-stick than stoneware.

Some of its disadvantages are:

• It does not have a delay start feature that allows you to program the slow cooker to start cooking at a later time.
• It has no locking lid that prevents spills or leaks when transporting the slow cooker.
• It does not have any additional functions that expand its versatility and functionality.

Choosing which slow cooker to buy depends on your preference, budget, and needs. The Beautiful 8qt Slow Cooker is a great option for those who value style, simplicity, and capacity. However, if you want more features, functions, or value, consider the other products.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some of the frequently asked questions and their answers related to the Beautiful 8qt Slow Cooker:

Q: Where can I buy the Beautiful 8qt Slow Cooker?

A: You can buy the Beautiful 8qt Slow Cooker online or in-store at Walmart. You can also buy it online at Amazon or the official website of Made by Gather.

Q: How do I enroll my product for a guarantee?

A: You can register your product for warranty online at https://www.madebygather.com/pages/warranty-registration. You must provide your name, email address, phone number, product name, model number, serial number, date of purchase, and place of purchase.

Q: What is the warranty period and coverage for the Beautiful 8qt Slow Cooker?

A: The warranty period for the Beautiful 8qt Slow Cooker is one year from the date of purchase. The warranty covers any issues related to material or artistry as long as the product is used and serviced under normal conditions. The warranty does not cover damages caused by misuse, abuse, negligence, accidents, improper installation or maintenance, unauthorized modifications or repairs, or normal wear and tear.

Q: How do I contact customer service for support or inquiries?

A: You can contact customer service by phone at 1-888-280-4331 or by email at support@madebygather.com. You can also visit https://www.madebygather.com/pages/contact-us for more information.

Conclusion

The Beautiful 8qt Slow Cooker by Drew Barrymore is a stylish and functional appliance that can help you prepare delicious meals for your family and friends. It has a large capacity, an easy-to-use control panel, a removable ceramic pot and lid, and a warm setting. It also has a beautiful floral pattern that adds charm and elegance to your kitchen.

The slow cooker can cook various dishes, from soups and stews to casseroles and desserts. It can enhance the flavor and texture of the food by simmering it in its juices. It can also save you time and energy by letting you dump all the ingredients into the pot and let it do its magic.

If you are looking for a simple, stylish, and large-capacity slow cooker that can cook delicious meals for your family and friends, the Beautiful 8qt Slow Cooker by Drew Barrymore might be the right choice. However, if you want more features, functions, or value, consider the other products in the market.

We hope this article has helped you learn more about the Beautiful 8qt Slow Cooker by Drew Barrymore and decide whether it is worth buying or not. Thank you for reading!