Russell Hobbs 7L Slow Cooker RHSC7

I bought this slow cooker from Harvey Norman. It advertises a 7L capacity but is approximately 5.5L, I measured it out myself. It has the exact same cook pot as a BigW brand contempo. I don't know where they get the 7L measurement from but should be false advertising. I attempted to warn others via a Harvey Norman review but they blocked it, so don't trust Harvey Norman reviews if you want an accurate picture of their products. Show details

A functional and easy-to-use slow cooker – The Russel Hobbs Slow Cooker enters the market as a basic, yet functional appliance aimed at simplifying the cooking process. Designed for those new to slow cooking or seeking a straightforward kitchen tool, this cooker offers a blend of utility and simplicity. With a focus on performance rather than advanced features, it is very simple (if not… Read more

too basic) to use. You put your food in, set it on low or high, and let it do its thing. The low setting cooks slow and steady for 8 hours or more, while the high setting cuts that time in half. But, there's no timer to turn it off or switch it to keep warm, which would've been really handy.

Key Features and Observations:

Pros: Capacity: The 7-liter bowl is adequately sized for families, capable of preparing large meals or accommodating multiple servings with ease. Design: Sporting a matte black finish with silver accents and a clear glass lid, the cooker is visually appealing and likely to complement modern kitchen aesthetics. Ease of Cleaning: The ceramic bowl is dishwasher safe, facilitating easy cleanup and maintenance. Energy Efficiency: The cooker's power consumption is modest, making it an economical choice for regular use. User-Friendly: With three heat settings (low, high, warm) and a simple rotary knob, the appliance is straightforward to operate, suitable for those seeking a no-frills slow cooking solution.

Cons: Lack of Timer: The absence of a programmable timer limits the cooker's flexibility, requiring users to be more hands-on with their meal planning and preparation. Power Cord Length: The relatively short power cord may restrict placement options in some kitchen layouts. Indicator Light: The lack of an LED power indicator can lead to uncertainty regarding the appliance's operating status. Design Flaws: Certain elements, such as the lid's hook and the pot's stability within the unit, suggest room for improvement in design coherence and practicality. Cost: At the cost of $79 retail, there are probably better* alternatives, such as multi-cookers, even though they are more expensive, but they are far more advanced and versatile.

Despite these limitations, the cooker has demonstrated its capability to produce satisfactory meal outcomes. It handles a variety of recipes well, from stews and soups to slow-cooked meats, albeit with a learning curve regarding optimal cooking times and settings. It accomplishes its primary task of slow cooking with competence, though it misses opportunities for enhanced convenience through additional features. Prospective buyers with basic slow cooking needs and a preference for simplicity may find this appliance aligns with their expectations.

Disclaimer: This product was evaluated as part of a product review program. The insights and opinions presented are based on an objective analysis of its features and performance.

Are you new to Slow Cooking? Understand what you're buying first – Ok. I didn't have a slow cooker in the kitchen until now, and in a nutshell, this appliance does what it is supposed to. Yes, it's convenient, and it will give you some time back, but it can also lock you down to the house. Have I got you thinking yet? Let me set the scene. You throw all your ingredients into the cooker, place your tough piece… Read more

of shoulder or shin of your favourite animal in, turn the dial to LOW, and disappear off to work for 8+ hours. You leave work to come home to a beautifully cooked piece of meat, but your best friend stops you and asks you for a quick drink, or your boss asks you to work overtime when you return home 12-14 hours later and realise that your food is still cooking and the meat has completely decomposed. Then what?

Ok. Let's use the HIGH setting, which now reduces the time in half compared to the low setting. Place the same ingredients into the pot and switch on. Now, your dinner will be ready in about 5 hours. It's worse because your meal is not cooking while you're at work, and it will take too long to cook a 5 hour meal when you get home, so it is now more of a weekend cook.

Now... Imagine if you could program the perfect amount of Low and High heat and then switch off to Keep Warm. Unfortunately, you cannot, and nowadays, many cooking appliances have timers that can be programmed according to your busy schedule.

Let's take a closer look at the cooker and point out some design flaws i found that could be fixed that would make this appliance shine;

- As mentioned above, a timer is needed to allow the user to cook and keep warm; otherwise, they're tied to this cooker. - Introduce a Power-On light. The external casing is around 90+DegC so you need some indicator. - Increase the size of the appliance power cord. It measures approximately 65cm in length. - Get rid of the 'so-called' hook from the inside of the lid. It just gets in the way of larger pieces of meat. Why would you perch a lid on the edge of the appliance anyway? Its not like the condensation drains back into the pot. - The crock pot feels like it doesn't belong to the cooking element. It just flops around. Its probably made that way for a reason but know idea why. - Selector setting on the dial doesn't really stand out.

It's not all doom and gloom, and I give credit to making some pretty awesome dinners so far. The twice-cooked lamb shoulder was divine, as it was cooked in the Russel Hobbs the day before and then reheated and browned in the Kamodo (charcoal) oven for an hour the next night. Do your research on recipes through Google, as the provided book could be more helpful. It should have been QR-coded instead which linked to many users recipes.

Now for the performance... Although the casing/element is relative light-weight and has a cheap feel about it, they have included a well-insulated ceramic bowl (its heavy). As for the greenies out there, this device is excellent on power. The Lamb Shoulder consumed approximately 1.65KW total consumption across the 5 hours (on High), equating to around 40-50 cents.

- LOW Setting: ~0.210 KW/h - HIGH Setting: ~0.330 KW/h

Verdict: 3 stars (lacks basics in design) 5 stars for the results of the cook.

Cooks well but appliance has a few features missing – I was lucky enough to trial this with the ambassador program. Pros: Good value for money. Looks classy on my bench. We got the black version. Love the warm function which my previous cooker didn't have. Does not get too hot and overcook food. Not a heavy appliance. I used to dread getting my old one out but this isn’t heavy or cumbersome. Nice… Read more

big bowl. I love the lid can rest on the handle while adding extras during cooking. Non slip feet. Food comes out tender and flavourful. Makes cheaper meat tender.

Cons: No “on” light which I found very strange. Cord could be longer. What is it with companies and short cords.

Overall this is a good practical appliance that has saved us a lot of time. My husband has even been using it and was impressed after his shoulder roast fell off the bone. Anything that makes him cook is a winner in my eyes. Good quality, great price and cooks delicious food. I have enjoyed using it. Please upgrade with an on light!and a longer cord. There would be nothing more annoying than coming home to a cold uncooked dinner because you thought you had turned it on.

Odd and annoying design flaws, will cook your food just fine – I was kindly offered the opportunity to trial this item as a product ambassador. Yes, the unit cooked our food in a timely fashion, and I appreciate the large size that fit enough for my family-of-3 and cooked enough for leftovers. I liked the big ceramic dish and it held a nice even heat. The food cooked evenly and was a similar experience in… Read more

taste to other slow cookers I have used.

Unfortunately, there are design flaws for this unit that I found rather impractical and seemed to have a comedy of problems that actually caused physical injury.

-There is no indicator light to show it’s actually turned on. -The outside becomes very hot. The lack of indicator light became a catch 22, as I had to touch the unit to tell if it was heating up and hurt my hand from the heat. I would be very careful resting this on a stone bench without a board underneath as the heat may cause cracking. -Cord is incredibly short - this does not work on my kitchen to position in a safe location, and appears to be a bugbear for others as well. -The unit has long screws that stick out of the bottom…I don’t know why this is. It scratched me when picking up the unit. -The lid seems very loose and seems a poor fit for the bowl, even allowing for variable of heat expansion.

I like cooking dinner without struggle or injury, so I unfortunately can’t really recommend this product. But it will cook your food and get the job done.

Ok experience, yet tasty meal – An honest review on the RHSC7 I was offered the opportunity to review this item from Russel Hobbs. This is my first time ever using a Slow Cooker and was both pleasantly & slightly disappointed with the item. You will need an adjustment to your cooking routine. All preparations need to be done way in advance, don’t leave this as a last minute… Read more

meal. Below are my PROS & CONS.

PROS: Stylish Decent Ceramic bowl size Clear Shatterproof Glass lid ( allowing you to see progress of meal) 2 year Warranty Cooks well

CONS : NO indicator notifying ON/OFF - turning dial knob to set heat level No indication on which heat level you are using. Low/High/Warm Google search on preheating, may take up to 20 min Casing of RHSC7 when in use is Hot, Yes, keep little hands away Having to use more than 1 appliance to pre-prepare meal. Eg: searing meats/poultry - browning onions etc. Awareness of Ceramic bowl - heat/cold shock * poor safety design. Screws extended on the base as seen in photos

Overall, our meal was succulent. The chicken pieces were tender, which is what one expects. Once the meal is in full progress, you have the freedom of doing other chores. We have become a society of having meals cooked asap. This is not a pressure cooker level, it is as stated Slow Cooker. What the additional cost on electricity is, I’m not certain. Other than the casing, all items can be washed. I assume can be placed in dishwasher, I don’t have this appliance within my kitchen.