Breville Flavour Maker

The Breville Flavour Maker (BSC500) is a versatile slow cooker designed to enhance and deepen the taste of meals through a technique known as flavour layering. This appliance allows users to sear, slow cook, and roast, offering a comprehensive solution for various cooking needs.

Function Description

The primary function of the Breville Flavour Maker is slow cooking, which gently simmers food over an extended period to achieve tender, flavoursome results. It features three temperature settings: LOW, HIGH, and AUTO, providing flexibility in cooking times and methods. The LOW setting is ideal for extended cooking without overcooking or burning, while the HIGH setting cooks food in approximately half the time. The AUTO setting begins cooking on HIGH and then automatically shifts to LOW after about two hours, offering ease and simplicity for users.

A key feature of this slow cooker is its removable EasySear™ pan, which is designed for searing on the stovetop, slow cooking, and roasting in the oven. This allows users to brown onions, sear meats, and create casseroles, curries, soups, stocks, and bolognaise all in the same pan, thereby intensifying flavours before the slow cooking process begins. The EasySear™ pan is suitable for use on most electric, gas, and ceramic stovetops, and can also function as a traditional roasting pan in conventional ovens up to 250°C.

The appliance is equipped with a wrap-around element that ensures an even temperature throughout the cooking process, contributing to consistent and well-cooked meals. Its 5-litre capacity makes it suitable for preparing family-sized meals. For roasting, a stainless steel rack is provided to elevate the meat, assisting in keeping its surface dry and allowing fat to drain away.

Usage Features

Before first use, it is recommended to remove all packaging materials, wash the EasySear™ pan and glass lid in hot, soapy water, and wipe the slow cooker base with a damp cloth.

To sear before slow cooking, the EasySear™ pan is removed from the slow cooker base and placed onto a stovetop burner over medium to high heat. After coating the pan with oil or butter, food can be seared in batches. Once searing is complete, the hot EasySear™ pan is carefully returned to the slow cooker base using oven mitts.

For slow cooking, the EasySear™ pan, either hot from searing or at room temperature, is inserted into the slow cooker base. Ingredients are then added, ensuring denser foods are spread evenly across the bottom. The tempered domed glass lid is placed into position, and the temperature control dial is turned to the desired setting (LOW, HIGH, or AUTO). The power cord is plugged into a 230V or 240V power outlet, and the appliance is switched on. Once cooking is complete, the dial is turned to OFF, the power is switched off at the outlet, and the power plug and connector are removed.

When roasting in the slow cooker, meat will not brown during the slow cooking process itself. For browner results, searing the meat in the EasySear™ pan on the stovetop beforehand is recommended. Liquid addition is not required for roasting, and the stainless steel rack should be used to elevate the meat. For pot roasting, liquid is required to cover up to a third of the meat, and searing beforehand is also recommended for browning.

The silicone handle covers provide heat protection during use, and it is recommended to keep them in position when using the EasySear™ pan on the stovetop, in the oven, or in the slow cooker. However, oven mitts are still recommended when handling hot components.

Maintenance Features

For cleaning, the temperature control dial should be turned to OFF, the power switched off, and the appliance unplugged and disconnected from the power outlet. The EasySear™ pan should be removed and allowed to cool completely.

The removable EasySear™ pan and glass lid are dishwasher safe. However, to maintain the non-stick coating, it is recommended to wash the EasySear™ pan in hot, soapy water using a mild household detergent, then rinse and dry thoroughly. For stubborn, cooked-on foods, the pan can be filled with water, brought to a slow boil on medium heat on the stovetop, with detergent added, and simmered for 15 minutes. Light scrubbing with a soft nylon kitchen brush can then be used.

Abrasive cleaners, steel wool, or scouring pads should not be used on the EasySear™ pan or glass lid as they can damage the surfaces and non-stick coating. Alkaline cleaning agents should also be avoided to prevent damage to the appliance; instead, a soft cloth and a mild detergent should be used.

The brushed stainless steel slow cooker base can be wiped over with a soft, damp cloth and then dried thoroughly. The silicone handles should be removed regularly for cleaning to prevent food buildup. They should only be removed once the EasySear™ pan is cool and should be washed in hot soapy water using a mild household detergent, then rinsed and dried thoroughly. It is not recommended to place silicone handles in a dishwasher.

It is important never to immerse the slow cooker base, power cord, or power plug in water or any other liquid to prevent electrocution. The slow cooker should always be operated with the removable EasySear™ pan correctly positioned in the slow cooker base and never without food and liquids in the pan.