Black & Decker 7-Quart Slow Cooker (Teal)

A large, no-fuss slow cooker that nails the basics

I put the Black & Decker slow cooker to work over several weeks on the kinds of meals that make a slow cooker earn its keep: a 4.5‑lb chuck roast with root vegetables, a batch of chili for game night, and an easy chicken stew on a busy weekday. Through all of it, the appeal of this model is straightforward: big capacity, predictable heat, and fuss‑free cleanup. It’s not loaded with bells and whistles, but it consistently turns out tender meats and well‑developed flavors without me having to hover.

Design, size, and first impressions

At 7 quarts, this is a true family‑size unit. It comfortably handled the chuck roast with potatoes, carrots, and a full pint of broth with room to spare. If you batch cook or like to freeze leftovers, the capacity is a real advantage. The stoneware insert is substantial and seats securely in the housing, and the base sits flat and stable on the counter. Cool‑touch handles on the sides make repositioning it straightforward, even when it’s warm.

Aesthetically, the teal finish adds a pop of color without feeling loud. The control interface is as basic as it gets: a large dial with three settings—Low, High, and Warm. There’s no display and no timer. If you appreciate simplicity, that’s a plus; if you’re used to programmable cookers, keep that trade‑off in mind.

The tempered glass lid lets you check progress without lifting, and there’s a handy lid hanger that lets you rest the lid on the side of the crock to catch drips when you stir or serve. It’s a small design touch that keeps counters cleaner than balancing a wet lid beside the cooker.

Cooking performance

• Low: For the roast, Low over about 9 hours produced fork‑tender beef and nicely cooked vegetables. The unit maintained an even, gentle simmer along the edge of the crock without hot spots scorching the bottom. Flavors had time to develop, and the texture was what I want from a long braise.

• High: The chili finished on High in just under 4 hours. Beans and aromatics broke down as expected, and the sauce thickened nicely toward the end when I removed the lid for the last 30 minutes. High on this model is hot enough to move a stew along at a practical weeknight pace.

• Warm: Warm does what it should—holds food safely and steadily without further cooking. I used it for about 2 hours during a casual dinner, and the chili stayed hot without separating or drying out.

By habit, I start most slow cooker recipes with less liquid than a stovetop version and adjust late if needed. This cooker’s lid seals well, which means moisture retention is strong. If I want a thicker sauce, I finish the dish with the lid slightly ajar or fully off for the last 20–40 minutes—especially on High. That technique worked well here and is worth adopting regardless of recipe source.

One note on capacity: the sweet spot was filling the crock between one‑half and three‑quarters full. Overfilling made it harder for the unit to reach a steady simmer quickly, and underfilling reduced heat retention when the lid was lifted repeatedly.

Ease of use

The appeal of the dial is that there’s nothing to program. Turn it to Low or High, set a separate timer on your phone, and you’re done. The trade‑off is you must be present to switch it to Warm or to turn it off—there’s no built‑in timer or auto‑switching. For folks who are away from home for long stretches, that might be a deal‑breaker; for me, it’s fine as long as I plan around it.

The cool‑touch handles are genuinely useful. Even when the housing is warm, the handles stayed comfortable to grip. The lid hanger is also more than a novelty—being able to park the lid without drips made stirring and serving less messy.

Cleanup

Cleanup is straightforward. The stoneware insert is dishwasher‑safe, and I ran it through the dishwasher multiple times without issue. On busy nights, a quick overnight soak also did the trick—most stuck‑on bits loosen with a plastic scraper and warm soapy water. I hand‑washed the glass lid to be safe. The exterior wiped clean with a damp cloth.

As with all stoneware, avoid thermal shock: don’t add cold liquids to a hot crock, and don’t move the hot crock directly onto a cold surface. That simple practice significantly extends the life of the insert.

Build quality and durability

Overall build feels solid for a large, budget‑friendly unit. The base is sturdy, the stoneware is thick, and the lid sits flush. I did run into one quirk: the lid handle on my unit loosened after a few uses. It’s secured by a screw, which I tightened with a standard screwdriver and it’s been fine since. My advice is to check that screw periodically, especially after dishwasher cycles or big temperature swings. The tempered glass itself held up well to regular use.

At 12.1 lb, the cooker isn’t feather‑light, but the weight contributes to stability. I could lift and store it without strain, though those with limited cabinet space should measure—this is a tall, wide appliance when assembled.

Black & Decker backs it with a two‑year limited warranty, which is generous in this category and provides a bit of peace of mind.

What you don’t get

• No programmable timer or digital display. If you want set‑and‑forget scheduling with auto‑switch to Warm, this isn’t that.
• No sear or sauté function. Browning meat still happens in a skillet before it goes into the crock.
• No travel locks on the lid. It’s fine for potlucks if you’re careful, but I wouldn’t transport it full without an aftermarket strap and extra care.

None of these are deal‑breakers if you prioritize reliability and simplicity, but they’re worth noting against more feature‑rich, higher‑priced models.

Practical tips from testing

• For roasts: Pat meat dry, brown in a skillet, then deglaze the pan and pour those browned bits into the crock. Start on High for 30 minutes, then drop to Low for the rest.
• For soups and stews: Add delicate vegetables (peas, spinach) in the last 20–30 minutes to avoid overcooking.
• For thicker sauces: Cook with the lid on until the last 30 minutes, then tilt or remove the lid to let steam escape.
• For best results: Aim for one‑half to three‑quarters full. That’s where heat distribution and moisture balance are best.

Who it’s for

• Families and batch cooks who want a roomy, reliable cooker without a learning curve.
• Anyone who values a bright, cheerful appliance that can sit out on the counter.
• Cooks who don’t need programmable timers or advanced modes and prefer a simple dial.

The bottom line

The Black & Decker slow cooker does what a slow cooker should: it turns out tender, flavorful meals with minimal oversight and cleans up easily afterward. The large capacity is genuinely useful, the heating is steady and predictable, and the simple control scheme keeps the learning curve essentially nonexistent. I’d like to see a more robust lid handle assembly and would welcome a built‑in timer, but those omissions are balanced by reliable performance and a thoughtful, drip‑saving lid hanger.

Recommendation: I recommend this slow cooker for anyone seeking a large, no‑frills cooker that’s consistent, easy to live with, and pleasant enough to keep on the counter. If you need programmable scheduling, transport locks, or a searing function, look elsewhere. For straightforward, family‑size cooking at Low/High/Warm with minimal fuss, this model is a dependable choice.