I recently purchased the TRU Double Slow Cooker by Select Brands for a company departmental pot-luck luncheon, aiming to cater to around 40 people with varying tastes. Its dual compartments were perfect for separating mild and spicy cheese dips. At home, it proved equally useful for preparing two different fondues, keeping them separate and at the right temperature. Initially intended for occasional parties like Friendsgiving, this appliance has become a daily staple, especially useful for keeping my toddler’s meals warm.
What stands out most is its ease of cleaning and effective warm setting. A quick oil spray prevents sticking, and the warm setting truly maintains the warmth without overcooking, unlike larger slow cookers. However, its small size limits it to single or double servings, which can be a drawback. Despite this, its size can be advantageous in situations like mine, where meals often vary for different family members.
The cooker features three settings: warm, low, and high. The high setting remains unused as we primarily use it to keep food warm. On the low setting, we’ve noticed it can dry out cooked sausages and scrambled eggs over a few hours. The warm setting does a decent job but doesn’t keep food above 135 degrees. Despite this, it allows us to prepare eggs in advance and keep them relatively warm until reheating. Its compact size is a significant plus, enabling us to heat two small dishes simultaneously or combine a hot and cold dish.
This product was a hit at our New Year’s gathering, keeping food warm throughout the evening without taking up too much space. It was perfect for tacos, each pot accommodating two cans of ingredients like black beans and corn. For Valentine’s Day, we used it for a fondue party, with cheese in one side and chocolate in the other. It heated quickly, and the warming feature prevented the cheese from overcooking. Cleaning is a breeze; the removable crocks and lids are dishwasher-safe, and the exterior just needs a wipe with a damp cloth.
However, there are some concerns about the heating element. When testing with water, both the warm and high settings reached temperatures of 220 degrees, which seems excessive for a warm setting. Additionally, the outer surface gets quite hot. Despite these issues, it’s versatile for various cooking needs, including acting as a crockpot, vegetable cooker, or fondue pot. My only disappointment was the absence of an instruction manual, which would have been helpful, especially considering its arrival right before our Christmas party.
