📖 West Bend Familie All-Purpose Slo-Cooker

Care • Use • Instructions • Recipes

✨ Branding & Origins

The unusual spelling of “Familie” and “Slo” was not a typo. West Bend intentionally trademarked these spellings—whether as a marketing gimmick, design quirk, creative twist, or simply a stylistic choice. Either way, they were copyrighted and branded as official product names, and we preserve them exactly as they appeared in all historical and reproduction materials.

📦 What Came in the Box

Each Familie Slo-Cooker was sold as a complete set, typically including:

• 4-quart saucepot with cover – removable cooking vessel (aluminum or steel, often enamel finished).
• Slo-Cooker heating base – electric cradle with temperature dial (#1–#4).
• Detachable electric cord – standard 120V AC.
• Instruction & Recipe Booklet – with care, use, cooking times, and family recipes.

🔑 Key Feature: The dual-use 4-quart stockpot could be used on the stovetop for browning, then placed directly on the heating base for slow cooking—a major selling point in the 1970s.

🕰️ History of the Familie Slo-Cooker

• Company origins: Founded in 1911 in West Bend, Wisconsin, the company began with aluminum cookware. In the 1920s it launched the innovative Waterless Cooker, then expanded into electric appliances.
• Slow cooker debut: By the 1970s, West Bend introduced its line of electric slow cookers, giving families a convenient way to prepare wholesome meals with minimal effort.
• Heat settings:
  • #1 WARM – holding temperature for baked goods or cooked dishes (not for raw foods).
  • #2 LOW – 6–10 hrs, ideal for soups, beans, stews, and roasts.
  • #3 MEDIUM – 4–6 hrs, for poultry and casseroles.
  • #4 HIGH – 2–3 hrs, for quicker meals, dips, and desserts.

⚙️ Operation Instructions (Vintage Style)

Straight from the original booklet:

1. Placement – Place base on a flat, dry, heat-resistant surface with airspace below.
2. Cooking pot – Fill the 4-qt pot with ingredients, cover, and place on the base. (Optional: brown meat on stovetop first.)
3. Electrical – Plug the detachable cord into the base, then into a 120V outlet.
4. Heat selection – Choose #1 to warm food, or #2–#4 to cook (see times above).
5. Keep the lid on – Lifting the lid releases steam and adds 15–20 minutes to cooking time.
6. Safety – Always use potholders; escaping steam can cause burns.
7. Finishing – When done, switch to #1 to keep warm or unplug to shut off. Let the unit cool before cleaning.
8. Utensils – Use only nylon, silicone, wooden, or smooth stainless utensils. Do not cut directly inside the pot.

🍲 Classic Recipes

Hearty Beef Stew

Ingredients: 2 lbs beef chuck, 4 carrots, 3 potatoes, 2 onions, 2 celery stalks, 2 cups broth, 2 tbsp tomato paste, bay leaf, thyme, salt & pepper.
Method: Brown beef (optional). Place all ingredients in cooker. Cook on #2 for 8–9 hrs or #3 for 5 hrs. Add peas last 30 minutes.

Chicken & Vegetable Soup

Ingredients: 4 chicken thighs, 3 carrots, 2 celery stalks, 1 onion, 2 garlic cloves, 6 cups broth, bay leaf, parsley, salt & pepper.
Method: Layer all ingredients. Cook on #2 for 7–8 hrs or #3 for 4–5 hrs. Shred chicken before serving.

Pork Roast with Apples & Onions

Ingredients: 3–4 lb pork shoulder, 2 onions, 2 apples, 2 cups broth, garlic, sage, salt & pepper.
Method: Place pork in cooker, top with onions and apples, add broth and spices. Cook on #2 for 8 hrs.

Old-Fashioned Rice Pudding

Ingredients: ¾ cup rice, 4 cups milk, ½ cup sugar, ½ cup raisins, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp cinnamon.
Method: Mix in pot. Cook on #3 for 4–5 hrs, stirring occasionally.

✅ Tips for Best Results

• Leave 1–2 inches of space at the top of the pot to prevent overflow.
• Soak beans overnight, then cook on #2 all day.
• Perfect for parties—use #1 to keep dips, soups, or side dishes warm.

📋 Summary Table