Slow cooker/Crock Pot without lead in glaze

[KBecks]

I wonder whether the Cuisinart is really no lead or they're just saying it, as Hamilton Beach. I have 2 Rival cookers and am not ready to change them unless something is truly confirmed as no lead.

[MMMommy]

My guess (and it's just a guess) is that all the various brands of slow cookers/crockpots have some amount of lead in them. My assumption is that the companies who say "no lead" really mean that their lead levels are within the FDA guidelines. So even if a company says "no lead," my gut instinct is that there are still traces of lead.

On a side note--I've used the Cuisinart PSC-650 (the 6.5 qt progammable that is replacing the discontinued non digital CSC-650) only once so far to make corned beef. I was pleased with how the corned beef turned out after 8 hrs. on low. I haven't tested it out yet on high, but I plan to soon. I like it better than the more expensive All Clad Slow Cooker (tried it out once, but returned it due to a faulty glaze issue) b/c you can switch the cooking levels and increase and decrease the time while the cooker is on and cooking. With the All Clad Slow Cooker, you have to turn the whole cooker off and then reset to whatever cooking level or time you want. I'm sure a lot of the less expensive models also have these same features. I don't know why the All Clad doesn't have that flexibility. I also like the look of the Cuisinart. Plus, it has "wraparound heating" which not all slow cookers have. Wraparound heating supposedly provides for more even, consistent heating. The final test will be with cooking a whole chicken on high next week.

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=640&f=27580

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=640&f=25861

[KBecks]

My guess (and it's just a guess) is that all the various brands of slow cookers/crockpots have some amount of lead in them. My assumption is that the companies who say "no lead" really mean that their lead levels are within the FDA guidelines. So even if a company says "no lead," my gut instinct is that there is still traces of lead.

That's exactly what I'm thinking too. So then I have to decide if it's acceptable to still cook with a slow cooker with traces of lead. I'm probably OK with that risk..... probably..... I'm not totally sure. The slow cooker gets HOT and the food is in there a long time and it does creep me out a bit.

This weekend I just replaced all my dishes to Corelle because I was concerned about lead in my dishes. And I'm happy I did that.

[niccig]

That's exactly what I'm thinking too. So then I have to decide if it's acceptable to still cook with a slow cooker with traces of lead. I'm probably OK with that risk..... probably..... I'm not totally sure. The slow cooker gets HOT and the food is in there a long time and it does creep me out a bit.

I'm the same, I like the idea of slow cooking some things, but I am worried about the lead. DS had a slightly high test result at 9 months, all other tests were a lot lower levels, but I'm still very worried.

[bubbaray]

My guess (and it's just a guess) is that all the various brands of slow cookers/crockpots have some amount of lead in them. My assumption is that the companies who say "no lead" really mean that their lead levels are within the FDA guidelines. So even if a company says "no lead," my gut instinct is that there are still traces of lead.

ITA, that is exactly my thinking, especially after the HB CS rep read me an internal memo on the lead issue....

ETA: I think part of my thinking on this is that we don't use a slow cooker daily and, frankly, its the only way I can get DH to help out with cooking. I might feel differently if my kids had elevated lead levels. Then again, they've never been tested.

[Rainbows&Roses]

bumping this old thread......

I have been doing a lot of research and only found one that apparently does not have lead in it and that is the kitchen-aid model because it is coated with a glass glaze. But the reviews for the crock cracking are everywhere, so it seems kind of pointless.

Dr. Weil has a healthy kitchen slow cooker, but the reviews are few. You would think his cooker would NOT have lead in it, but I haven't been able to find any kind of contact for the company to ask them.

Has anyone found one that is lead-free - crock and glaze?

[ricb]

According to the Hamilton Beach's website, there is no lead or cadmium in their crocks:

"Does the crock contain lead?
No. There is no lead or cadmium in the crock."

See http://www.hamiltonbeach.com/faqs/slow-cookers.php

I visited this page, and found that Hamilton Beach is no longer using the direct "no-lead" language they were when you posted this. They now hedge their bets:

Q Does the crock contain lead?

A Hamilton Beach specifications applicable to all slow cookers and their components (including the earthenware crocks) prohibits the product from containing any measurable amounts of lead. Furthermore, the factories that manufacture the earthenware crocks for Hamilton Beach are certified ceramic production facilities whose ceramic ware is deemed to satisfy FDA heavy metal requirements. Hamilton Beach takes all reasonable steps to ensure that the earthenware crocks accompanying our slow cookers provide safe and satisfactory service to our consumers.