Crock-pot debate around here.

[Lady_Dulcinea]

A crock-pot has always felt like a necessary thing in my kitchen. My mom always had one and used it a lot. I've not used it as much, but I like it and want to use it more. The insert for mine has been slowly getting a crack down the middle of it so it is about time to get a new one. Not looking at replacing the insert because it has always cooked way too fast. So. DH who likes to cook and is all educated and stuff ;) thinks that using the dutch oven in the oven at a low temp is more energy efficient than the crock-pot. I found this article which shows that he might be right.

(Just noticed my link didn't show up!) http://www.healthycookingrecipes.com/crockpotrecipes/crockpotcooking.htm

 

The other thing, I've always felt safe leaving the crock-pot plugged in while out of the house, but not the oven turned on. Going to search on that topic in a bit.

 

What says The Hive?

 

Oh and I'd like crock-pot recommendations too.

 

Thanks

[Ellie]

Well, he could be right, although I'm not convinced on the energy thing, but, well, I like the crock pot:) And you may never do this, but I ocassionally go to potlucks and take the crock pot with me.

 

If I were buying another one, I would get one with an oval crock instead of a round one. I have to cram my pot roasts into the round one:D Also, a couple of brands have lids that latch so you take it without its spilling its contents all over the floor of your car...

[Emmy]

I have this one by Rival and I like it a lot. I bought it at Walmart or as my Grandma would say....Walmarts. ;) It holds quite a lot and I like that.

 

I am very comfortable leaving it plugged in and on when we go out for the day but I couldn't do that with my oven; I would really worry about that. Also - the oven would heat up the house whereas the crock pot would not. Depending on the time of year that could be a good thing or a bad thing. For me it's a bad thing year round because I hate a hot kitchen!

[Mrs. H.]

I'm almost 100% certain that your dh is right, and a dutch oven on low would do a better job than a crock-pot, plus you can brown in a dutch oven first, and not lose all that goodness at the bottom of the pot, and there's one less thing to clean.

 

That being said, I use my crock-pot whenever I am going to leave the house, where I would never leave my oven on (even though it's electric). I always buy the largest oval-shaped one I can find, at the cheapest price. I currently have a 6qt. Rival with a ditigal control that I got on sale at Target two years ago for $30. It is my third crock-pot in 10 years.

 

I have found that no matter how much (or how little) you spend on a crock-pot, it's just a ceramic bowl on an electric burner, and either the display is going to go out, the crock or lid is going to break, or the thing is just going to stop working after a couple of years anyway, so why pay big bucks for it? I always cook everything in mine on low anyway, and I haven't felt the need for timers, bells or whistles, unless they come included on the model that is on sale. To me, having the right size is more important than anything else.

[Jean in Newcastle]

I have one of the newer Rival crock pots and I really love that I can set the time to how many hours it should cook. Once the time is up, it automatically goes to a "keep warm" setting. This is very convenient when we are out all day. A dutch oven on the stove wouldn't do that!:party:

[Tammy]

And for me.....I usually put my crockpot on the back porch....so it doesn't heat up my house (remember....I am in Florida, LOL).

 

Tammy

[Daisy]

I couldn't survive without my crock-pot. Yes, I leave the house with it on. Yes, I put it on my backporch in the summer time. Yes, I leave my OVEN on while I'm gone (I have an automatic shut off and warm feature). Yes, I would bring my crock-pot to a party or potluck.

 

Crock-Potter and Proud! LOL.

[lori in tx]

I have 3 crockpots (funny store I thought I only had 2 until we moved and I found a 3 one:001_huh: I guess my other 2 reproduced and had a baby because I have no idea where it came from:lol:) anyway I like my oval rival it has a warm setting and works so great. I do love the clean up of a crockpot (we use the liner bag ) it is very easy now! We live in tx so the fact the whole house does not get warmed up reduces any $$ saved by using a dutch oven.

I know that didn't help but it is my .02

lori

[Frontier Mom]

With baseball, church, and life, I cook in my crock pot all the time. I am the dubbed the "Crock pot Queen," a name I am proud of.

 

Now I am looking into one of those rice cookers. Anyone familiar with these and do they work? Which brand do you like?