Morphy Richards Sear & Stew 3.5 L Slow Cooker — Versatile, Convenient & Reliable
If you’re looking for a small-to-mid capacity slow cooker with the flexibility to sear first and cook slowly, the Morphy Richards Sear & Stew 3.5 L is a compelling option. Over a few weeks of cooking everything from stews and casseroles to pulled meats and overnight recipes, here’s how it performed in real kitchen use.
First Impressions & Build Quality
Straight out of the box, the unit feels solid and attractively finished. The red exterior offers a cheerful pop of colour without being garish. The pot and glass lid are substantial—the ceramic (or stoneware) cooking pot is heavy, providing confidence in heat retention, and the lid is made of thick, toughened glass that allows you to monitor your cooking process easily.
All components fit together cleanly. The lid sits snugly, and the handles are well shaped for gripping (even when hot). While the external body is compact, it feels robust enough to survive frequent use without worry.
Dual-Function: Searing & Slow Cooking
One of the standout features is the hob-proof pot, meaning you can sear meat or vegetables directly in the pot (on a stovetop) before switching to slow cooking—no need to transfer to another pan. This functionality brings several benefits:
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Depth of flavour: Searing creates a caramelised crust and deeper flavour base, especially useful for meats and stews. I tried browning beef cubes, onions, and garlic in the pot first, then transferring it all to slow-cook mode, and the results were excellent—richer than if I had skipped the searing step.
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Less washing up: Because you’re not moving ingredients between pans, fewer dishes and less fuss.
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Convenience and continuity: The same vessel goes from hob to slow cooker seamlessly.
Make sure your hob allows you to place the cooking pot directly on its surface (some induction or glass tops may demand compatible base materials). In my experience, on standard gas or electric hobs this searing function worked reliably.
Performance & Cooking Results
I used the slow cooker for a range of recipes: beef stew, chicken and vegetable casserole, pulled pork, and even a breakfast porridge. Here’s how it fared:
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Low & high settings: The cooker’s temperature range allows for classic “low” (long, gentle simmer) and “high” (faster cook) modes. The low setting was perfect for overnight or all-day slow braises, while the high setting gave good results when time was tighter.
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Even heat distribution: Heat was well distributed across the pot. Dishes cooked evenly without hotspots, and I didn’t find areas at the bottom that burned while the top remained undercooked.
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Tender results: Meats fell apart beautifully, and vegetables maintained their texture without going mushy. The gentle, steady heat helps breakdown collagen without overcooking.
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Minimal evaporation: The tight lid and gentle heat meant moisture stayed largely inside, so I didn’t need to constantly replenish liquids or risk drying the dish out.
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Safety & reliability: The food remained at safe internal temperatures throughout, and during long cooking stretches (8 to 10 hours), I had no concerns about overheating or failure.
For light meals or smaller loads, the 3.5 L capacity is just about ideal—but for families or multiple portions, you’ll want to ensure it covers your needs (while still not being overly large for occasional use).
Cleaning & Maintenance
Maintenance was pleasantly straightforward:
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Dishwasher-safe parts: Both the cooking pot and the glass lid are said to be dishwasher-safe, and in practice they withstood wash cycles without chipping or staining. I often place them in the dishwasher at the end of a cooking day.
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Non-stick or glaze resilience: After multiple uses, the interior glaze (or coating) remains intact—no flaking, cracking, or peeling.
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Easy wiping of body: The external casing is easy to clean with a damp cloth; food splashes wipe away cleanly, and dust doesn’t accumulate in crevices.
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Storage: The unit’s compact footprint makes it easy to store in a cupboard when not in use. The lid fits snugly enough that stacking or semi-vertical storage is feasible.
As a tip, if your water is hard or makes scale, occasional gentle descaling or soaking will preserve performance and prevent mineral deposits.
Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
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Dual function: ability to sear on hob and then slow cook in same pot
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3.5 L capacity suits many households without being too bulky
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Even and reliable heating for a variety of dishes
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Tight lid and good moisture retention for stews and braises
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Dishwasher-safe pot and lid make cleanup easy
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Attractive design with practical, sturdy feel
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Good value for feature set
⚠️ Cons / Things to Consider
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3.5 L may be limiting for larger households or batch cooking
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The pot is heavy—care needed when handling, especially when full and hot
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Hob searing requires a compatible hob (material and heat distribution)
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For extremely long cooking (12+ hours) or very thick cuts, you might occasionally recheck liquid levels
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While the lid is thick, one should not slam or drop it (as with any glass)
Suitability for UK Homes & Use Cases
This slow cooker is a particularly good fit for UK homes that:
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Value one-pot cooking — browning then slow-cooking in same vessel
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Want to free up oven/range space during long cooking hours
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Prepare stews, casseroles, pulled meat, soups, or overnight breakfasts
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Have small- to medium-sized households and don’t need huge capacity
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Seek low maintenance and easy cleaning
Because many UK homes have smaller kitchens, the 3.5 L size is a balanced choice — large enough for multiple portions, yet compact enough for storage or daily use. The ability to sear on hob first is a nice touch that bridges traditional cooking with the convenience of slow-cooking.
Final Verdict
The Morphy Richards Sear & Stew 3.5 L Slow Cooker is a dependable, feature-rich kitchen ally for anyone who wants flavourful meals with minimal fuss. Its hob-proof pot adds versatility, while the steady heat and secure lid help deliver great results day in, day out. With easy cleaning and a robust design, it’s a smart investment for small to medium households looking to simplify cooking while still packing punch in taste.
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