My crock pot just died, and I knew the Hive would be the place to come...

[HSMom2One]

We've had it so many years that I'm totally out of the loop on what to look for next since there are more on the market than there used to be. I really need to get this wrapped up by fall when I start back to work.

 

 

Here are some questions I have:

• What kind of crock pot do you own/recommend?
  

• How many sizes do you own and what do you use them for?
  

• Do you have a favorite crock pot/slow cooker website to recommend?
  

 

Thanks in advance for anything you may want to share.

 

Blessings,

Lucinda

[mom31257]

You should know that newer ones must heat at hotter temperatures, especially the bigger oval ones. I had to purchase a new one a few months ago, and I really wish I had bought a 5 quart or smaller. I've burned some things in the new oval one.

[bobbeym]

I have this 6-quart programmable that works great for the 5 of us. Crockpotgirls.com and Crockpot365 are both good websites. I usually just google for recipes if I'm looking for something specific. We mainly use ours for soups, stews, roast, and chicken.

[Pippen]

Interested to hear suggestions. I quit using my new one because it cooks at such high temps that I might as well use my oven on low.

[jenn-]

I have completely given up using Rival's Crockpots. They cook too hot (I'm talking from completely frozen b/s chicken breast to overcooked dry stuff in 4 hours on low). I have three of them in varying sizes that sit in the attic. I LOVE my Hamilton Beach ones though. I have the one pictured here (I've used the probe only once and decided it was useless) and a 5qt cheaper version (not programmable). These are what crockpots are supposed to cook like.

[HSMom2One]

I have completely given up using Rival's Crockpots. They cook too hot (I'm talking from completely frozen b/s chicken breast to overcooked dry stuff in 4 hours on low). I have three of them in varying sizes that sit in the attic. I LOVE my Hamilton Beach ones though. I have the one pictured here (I've used the probe only once and decided it was useless) and a 5qt cheaper version (not programmable). These are what crockpots are supposed to cook like.

 

I hear you on that one. In fact, the one that just died was due to over-heating so much that as the crock cooled it cracked completely down the middle. Scarey!!

 

For a replacement, I really like the Hamilton Beach suggestion. They look awesome! We have a HB food processor and it's also great quality for a lower price.

 

Thanks for the suggestions and comments everyone.

 

Blessings,

Lucinda

[kristi26]

We have a 6 quart oval Hamilton Beach and I love it! I'd buy another in a heartbeat. :)

[HSMom2One]

I'm so torn now because I don't know what size to buy. We are a family of four, but I also like to use it for large batches of soups.

 

:lol:

 

Blessings,

Lucinda

[Crafty Mathy Mom]

I love my 6 quart Hamilton Beach. I have a basic model with a clamping lid for travel. I only got 6 months after my last Rival. The knob on the lid came off, and it cooked way too hot. I had never burned anything in a slow cooker before.

[Down_the_Rabbit_Hole]

You should know that newer ones must heat at hotter temperatures, especially the bigger oval ones. I had to purchase a new one a few months ago, and I really wish I had bought a 5 quart or smaller. I've burned some things in the new oval one.

 

This explains a lot then. I thought it was heating it faster and hotter (my pepper steak actually melted 2 nights ago).

 

Recently mine died after 20yrs of service. It was a very basic type and I wanted something similar. I knew I would not need all those fancy features that drive the price up. You need to decide what features are worth it to you. I got a simple oval pot (I actually prefer the deeper pot then the oval) with 4 settings: off, warm, low and high) it was $15 roughly.

[jenn-]

I'm so torn now because I don't know what size to buy. We are a family of four, but I also like to use it for large batches of soups.

 

:lol:

 

Blessings,

Lucinda

 

 

If you like to make a lot of soup and freeze half or use as leftovers, I suggest the 6 quart. If you tend to cook smaller portions of meat, then maybe the 5qt. I can just barely get enough chili in the 5qt for my family of 6 to eat 1 meal.

[HSMom2One]

I found a couple of really nice options in my mom's chef's catalogue, but I'm afraid they're way out of my budget. I liked them because they not only slow cook, but also can be used as a rice cooker and a steamer. One is 4 qt. and the other is 7, but they are each well over $100. Bummer! I guess I'll be shopping for a HB slow cooker in the 6 qt. range, but I'm not saying that as a complaint. I'm sure it will be fine.

 

Blessings,

Lucinda