The Black+Decker SCD4007 7-Quart Digital Slow Cooker is a generously sized slow cooker that covers all the bases, and adds in some quirky features too. We love the chalkboard exterior which, combined with the locking handles for easy transportation, makes this a great choice for labelling meals and transporting dishes to gatherings and potlucks. In our best slow cooker guide we chose this as our top pick for parties.
Black+Decker 7-Quart Digital Slow Cooker: Features
- Convenience of an in-built timer
- Food will automatically switch to ‘keep warm’ mode once it’s cooked
- Oversized cool-grip handles
The Black+Decker SCD4007 offers seven quarts of space so you can cook a meal for a large dinner party. It also comes in three different styles. Even though it offers an above-average capacity, it’s still relatively affordable at a $50 full price point at time of testing, which makes it a great choice for a large family on a budget. If you’re after a cheaper model, we suggest checking out the Hamilton Beach Stay or Go 6-Quart Slow Cooker, which lacks some of the fancier add-ons of this digital mode, but was on sale for a modest $27 at time of testing.
This seven-quart slow cooker weighs in at 14.65 pounds, making it one of the heavier models in the market. Considering its size this is to be expected, as is its more bulky size. Measuring 14.1 x 17.3 x 9.7-inches, this might not be a great choice for those with limited counter space or cupboard storage. If this is a priority and you’re willing to compromise on quart capacity, we suggest the Crock-Pot SCR300 3-Quart Manual Slow Cooker - a great no-frills model for students and small households.
‘Low, High and Warm’ modes are fairly standard for slow cookers and the Black+Decker SCD4007 is no different. Digital slow cookers have the added convenience of an in-built timer, meaning you won’t need to be in to turn off your slow cooker and prevent overcooking. The digital control panel ensures that your food will automatically switch to ‘keep warm’ mode once it’s cooked and the timer is finished, meaning you can come home to a hot, freshly cooked meal without needing to worry if you’re held up. Perfect for busy families who run on different schedules.
We particularly like the chalkboard exterior of this slow cooker, which really sets it apart from competitors. You can label it for potluck dinners with allergy information or dietary information, write down recipes for easy meal prep, make a note of the start and finish time to make sure your meal is cooked to perfection or draw a fun design to liven up your kitchen. It even comes with chalk, which is a neat add-on.
Something which didn’t feature on many of the slow cookers we’ve looked at is the handy addition of locking wires or handles, which ensures you can bring your dish to potlucks with the lid securely attached to prevent spillage and messy mishaps. This nifty feature gives the Black+Decker SCD4007 another great selling point in our eyes, The high-quality ceramic bowl will also retain heat meaning you can transport your dish whilst keeping it warm. There’s oversized cool-grip handles which promise easy carrying (although they do add more size to this already bulky model). This allows you to secure the lid onto your pot without risk of slipping or spillage in the car or on the go, and the lid is lined with a rubber gasket that creates a mess-proof seal when locked. The rubber gasket is also great for trapping in smells, meaning you won’t come home to a home that smells of whatever you’re cooking up.
Black+Decker 7-Quart Digital Slow Cooker: Cooking experience
- Not suitable for oven and stove top
- Glass lid
- Covered by a two-year limited warranty
We’ve seen a lot of round slow cookers knocking about, so we were pleased to see that this one is oval shaped. This is a more versatile shape which allows you to fit in chunky cuts of meat such as ribs or whole chickens for maximum cooking versatility. The device is much wider than others and much shorter. This shape makes it easier for you to place turkey breasts, pot roasts or other large meats inside and, perhaps more importantly, makes it easier for you to dish them out when they are done cooking. You will find six recipes in the instruction manual to get you started and should you lose the manual, you can also find it on Black+Decker's website.
Unlike the sleek and top-of-the-range Calphalon Digital Sauté SCCLD1, the stoneware crock is not suitable for oven and stove top use which may limit your cooking if you want to sear meat or sauté before, but you can always do this in a separate pan before transferring to your slow cooker. We also like the glass lid which lets you watch your food cook with no need to take off the lid and let the heat out. Other convenience features include the built-in lid holder which is perfect for gatherings and easy serving, and the dishwasher-safe stoneware crock and tempered glass lid.
Black+Decker claims that a beef pot roast should take around 6 hours on a high setting, but some have found that their slow cooker struggles to get hot enough to cook cuts of meat that fast, even on a high setting. There’s also some reports of overheating on the exterior of the unit. Slow cookers will inevitably get hot to touch, but they should have enough insulation to ensure this is not dangerous. Be aware of this when buying and keep away from pets and children.
On a positive note, the Black+Decker SCD4007 is covered by a two-year limited warranty. This is twice the length of the Crock-Pot SCR450-HX 4.5-Quart Round warranty, for example, so it’s a good option if you want to be reassured that your slow cooker will last.
Black+Decker 7-Quart Digital Slow Cooker: Verdict
This bulky slow cooker is perfect for a large family with a huge seven quart capacity. There’s a lot to be impressed by here. With a digital design, fun and unique chalkboard exterior and easy-lock handles for convenient transportation, we think this is a great choice if you’re after a do-it-all slow cooker at a relatively affordable price.
