Compact slow cooking with a modern twist

The Crockpot CSC113 is a 3.5-litre slow cooker designed for smaller households that still want the comfort of home-cooked stews, curries and casseroles without fuss. Crockpot is a well-known name in slow cooking, and this model adds a couple of modern extras you don’t always see at this size.

Its standout trick is combining traditional slow cooking with steam cooking and an air fry function, so you can prepare hearty one-pot meals during the week and lighter, crispier treats at the weekend. At this price level it sits firmly in the affordable, entry-to-mid range end of the market, making it accessible for most kitchens.

With a strong user rating of 4.8 out of 5 from over two dozen reviews, owners clearly rate its results and day-to-day usability, which gives extra confidence if you’re buying your first slow cooker.

Table of Contents

Key features

  • 3.5 litre capacity
  • Steam cooking – locks in flavour and moisture
  • Air fry function – Hot air cooks healthy meals
  • Quick and easy to clean
  • Timer helps you cook food to perfection

Who this slow cooker is best for

The 3.5-litre capacity makes the CSC113 ideal for couples, smaller families, or anyone cooking for two to three people most of the time. You’ll comfortably get a family stew, chilli or bolognese out of it, but it’s not an oversized unit that will hog worktop space.

If you’re on a modest budget and want something that goes beyond a very basic slow cooker, this model is a good fit. It offers multiple cooking styles without the price jump you’d see with a full-blown multi-cooker.

It suits first-time slow cooker buyers who want simple, button-based controls and a clear display, as well as more experienced home cooks who’ll appreciate being able to steam vegetables or air fry snacks in the same appliance.

If you regularly cook big batches for a large family, dinner parties or weekly meal prep, you may find the 3.5-litre capacity limiting and might want to look at a larger pot instead.

What we like

The versatile cooking options are the big win here. Being able to slow cook, steam and air fry in one compact unit means you can handle everything from rich casseroles to lighter fish and vegetables or crisp chips without needing several gadgets.

The 3.5-litre size strikes a practical balance: big enough for family favourites, small enough to store easily and not waste energy on half-empty pots. It’s a sensible choice for everyday home cooking rather than occasional feasts.

Simple button controls, a built-in thermostat, and a clear display make it easy to set and monitor your cooking, while the timer helps avoid overcooked dinners. Set it, leave it to work, and it will let you know when everything is ready.

The design is described as easy to clean, which is important for a slow cooker you’ll want to use several times a week. Fewer awkward crevices and a removable pot mean less scrubbing and more time actually enjoying the food.

A 4.8 rating from owners suggests it performs reliably in real kitchens, with most people very happy with both results and ease of use.

Where it could be better

The 3.5-litre capacity, while perfect for smaller households, won’t suit larger families or serious batch cookers. If you regularly feed four or more hungry adults, you may outgrow this size fairly quickly.

There’s only a 1-year manufacturer warranty, which is on the short side for an appliance you might use several times a week. It doesn’t mean it will be unreliable, but longer cover would add peace of mind.

Although it offers air fry and steam functions, there’s no mention of extra smart programmes or app connectivity. If you’re looking for advanced presets and lots of automation, this model keeps things more straightforward.

The black finish looks smart but will show dust, fingerprints and splashes more than lighter colours, so you may find yourself wiping the exterior more often to keep it looking its best.

Everyday use

Day to day, the Crockpot CSC113 is designed to be straightforward. The button controls and built-in display mean you can quickly choose your cooking method, set the time and leave it to get on with dinner while you’re busy elsewhere.

Its relatively compact footprint (around 30cm high and deep, and just over 22cm wide) makes it easy to find space for on a worktop or to tuck away in a cupboard when not in use. It’s a sensible choice for smaller kitchens, flats or anyone short on storage.

Slow cookers are generally low-effort, and this one is no exception: prep your ingredients, choose slow cook, steam or air fry, then let the thermostat and timer handle the rest. The clear on/off switch and status display reduce the risk of forgetting whether it’s running.

Cleaning is designed to be quick. With a removable cooking pot and no complicated attachments, you can wash up with minimal hassle, which encourages you to use it more often for midweek meals as well as weekend treats.

Performance and features

As a slow cooker, the 3.5-litre capacity is well matched to soups, stews, curries and braised dishes for smaller families. The thermostat helps maintain a steady temperature, so food cooks gently and evenly over several hours, which is exactly what you want from this style of cooking.

The steam cooking function is a welcome addition. It’s useful for locking in moisture and flavour in fish, vegetables or dumplings, and is a healthier way to cook compared with frying in oil. It adds flexibility without requiring extra pans on the hob.

The built-in air fry function is another strong feature at this price, allowing you to crisp up chips, wedges and snacks using hot air rather than deep oil. While it won’t replace a large dedicated air fryer for heavy users, it’s ideal if you just want occasional healthier treats without buying another appliance.

A clear display, simple buttons and an integrated timer make managing these functions straightforward. You can see at a glance how long is left and adjust settings without guesswork. For an affordable slow cooker, that’s more user-friendly than a basic dial-only design.

Overall, the CSC113 offers more versatility than many simple slow cookers in this size bracket, focusing on core, useful functions rather than flashy extras you’ll rarely touch.

Value for money

At around £44, the Crockpot CSC113 sits in the affordable end of the slow cooker market, especially considering it does more than just slow cook. You’re getting slow cooking, steaming and air frying in one footprint, which helps justify the price compared with very basic pots.

If you were to buy a separate slow cooker and air fryer, you’d almost certainly spend more overall and need more storage space. For smaller homes or tight budgets, this combined approach is particularly appealing.

The strong 4.8 out of 5 user rating suggests that most owners feel they’ve had good value for money in terms of performance and reliability so far. The only slight drawback is the 1-year warranty, which is standard but not generous.

Taken together, the feature set, versatility and positive reviews make this a very good value choice for anyone wanting more than an entry-level slow cooker without paying a premium for advanced smart features.

Our verdict

The Crockpot CSC113 3.5-litre slow cooker is a smart, compact all-rounder for smaller households. It covers the basics very well, delivering comforting slow-cooked meals with minimal effort, and then goes a step further with steam cooking and air frying in the same neat unit.

It’s best suited to couples, small families and first-time slow cooker buyers who want something easy to use and simple to clean, without spending a fortune or dedicating half the worktop to multiple gadgets. The high user rating reinforces the sense that it’s a dependable everyday helper.

If you regularly cook in big batches or want extended warranty and advanced smart features, you may prefer a larger or more premium model. But for most people looking for a practical, versatile and reasonably priced slow cooker, the CSC113 is a very strong option.

FAQs

How many people can the Crockpot CSC113 3.5L slow cooker serve?

The 3.5-litre capacity is ideal for cooking meals for around two to three people, or a small family, depending on portion sizes.
Yes, it includes an air fry function that uses hot air to cook and crisp food, offering a healthier alternative to deep frying.
Yes, it has a steam cooking function designed to lock in flavour and moisture, making it suitable for fish, vegetables and other delicate foods.
The cooker is described as easy to clean, with a removable cooking pot and simple design that helps reduce scrubbing and washing up time.
It uses button controls with a clear display, along with a thermostat and timer, so you can set cooking times and monitor progress easily.
The approximate dimensions are 30.0cm high, 22.1cm wide and 30.4cm deep, making it compact enough for most kitchen worktops.
It comes with a 1-year manufacturer warranty.
You can batch cook smaller portions, but with a 3.5-litre capacity it’s better suited to everyday meals for a couple or small family than large-scale batch cooking.

Crockpot 3.5 Litre CSC113 3.5 Litre Slow Cooker Review

£44.00

Overall score

8.8/10

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