topic Re: Slow Cookers in Kitchen

Slow Cookers

Jordan2 — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 16:30:12 GMT

I have never owned one before but am interested in purchasing one. I don't really want to spend more than about $50. I know they come in different sizes with 6 quart being the most popular. I know there are manual and programmable slow cookers. I live alone but I do like to make enough to freeze meals. Some of the 6 quart cookers are less money than the smaller ones. Is it worth it to spend the extra money for the programmable ones? What brand would you suggest?

Re: Slow Cookers

faeriemoon — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 16:36:48 GMT

I have the Crock Pot brand. I think it's a good one; nothing fancy. Select the cook time, select high or low, puts itself on warm once the cooking time has ended.

Got it at Costco for a bit less than your price limit. I'm sure it would be more expensive elsewhere.

Re: Slow Cookers

ScrapHappy — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 16:41:24 GMT

I have a Rival Crock Pot. Nothing fancy. Nothing to program. I can cook on low for 8 or 10 hours or high for 8 to 10 hours. Also has a warm function. I've owned mine for 19 years now. I'm happy with it. $50 will get you a nice crock pot. A lot of sales going on right now, I'm sure you'll get a good price.

Re: Slow Cookers

deepwaterdotter — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 16:42:21 GMT

Another vote for the Crock Pot brand slow cooker. It has been a good, basic tool that does everything I need.

Re: Slow Cookers

denisemb — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 17:02:46 GMT

I, too like the 6 qt. Crock Pot brand as described by @faeriemoon .

We had one of the early Ninja cookers with coated metal pot and ability to brown (DH is also a cook/gadget freak around here) but found the coating wore off easily, even though we NEVER used metal utensils on it. Upgraded to a pricy DeLongi which is holding up better.

But I still use the 20+ y.o crockery Crock pot for chili, soups, etc and simply brown things in a different pan

Re: Slow Cookers

itsmagic — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 17:06:54 GMT

I had been using the original Crockpot for at least 25 years (maybe more). It had 3 settings - high, low and off. And the inner crock was not removable to clean. So I decided to retire it and buy a new one. I again bought the Crockpot brand but this one has a removable crock for cleaning and a timer. Since there are just two of us I bought a medium sized oval crockpot. It is not programmable other than the timer. I’m retired so I didn’t really feel I would use anything more programmable. I really like the new upgrade.

Re: Slow Cookers

Icegoddess — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 17:11:53 GMT

I think most of the digital ones are multi-Cookers like my WP one that also sears and does some other functions. But, for basic slow cooking High & Low should do all you want. I think my Crock Pot had a setting called Auto-Shift which I think started on High and then switched to Low for some reason, but I never used that function. I also have an Air Fryer with just 2 knobs for time & Temp. Simpler sometimes can be better and one less thing to malfunction.

Re: Slow Cookers

Ibby114 — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 17:19:59 GMT

I've seen basic crock pots on sale for as little as $20 during the holiday season! I make soups, chili and steel cut oats in mine often- and portion out the servings for the freezer. Easy meal prep! The only suggestion I'd have is to be sure the crock pot has a 'warm' setting. My newer one has it and it's so useful!

Re: Slow Cookers

NicksmomESQ — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 17:25:43 GMT

Mine is a 6 quart slow cooker from Corning.I got it from QVC about 15 years ago. It's oval in shape. It's programmable.I love it.

I cook to capacity in it. It's only DH & myself so there's a lot of leftovers.

Re: Slow Cookers

Jordan2 — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 17:35:08 GMT

I saw one I liked on BB&B, however when I put it In my cart I got a message the amount in cart exceeds what is available. If it's sold out, remove it from the website.

Re: Slow Cookers

drizzellla — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 17:43:24 GMT

I have 3 slow cookers. One holds about 16 oz, great for dips. One holds about 2 quarts. And one holds 6 quarts. I use the 6 quart all the time. My son bought it for me. So of course it has every bell and whistle.

I have never done anything except turn it on and push the low or high button. Have not touched any of the other buttons or used the temperature probe. But I admit I am a low tech person.

My 6 quart slow cooker is a Hamilton Beach. The 2 little guys are Crock-pots. I rarely used the Crock-pots just because of their size. The Hamilton Beach is about 10 years old and worked like a charm.

Re: Slow Cookers

Elbelle — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 17:47:18 GMT

I have the Crock-Pot brand. Got it at Costco. I have recently started using "liner bags" you can buy in the supermarket that make the clean-up a breeze.

Re: Slow Cookers

loriqvc — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 18:32:43 GMT

I currently have a 6-quart slow cooker from Hamilton Beach that has been working beautifully for many years; I used to have a 6-quart slow cooker from Crock Pot, but when I wanted a new one and chose the HB version, I gave the CP version to my sister, and she has continued to use it with no issues. I also have a 3.5-quart slow cooker from Crock Pot that I use for smaller meals. All of these cookers are the traditional style with high and low settings only.

Three years ago, I decided I "needed" the adorable new 7-quart slow cooker featuring Pixar characters for all of our Pixar movie nights; it is made by Select Brands and has also been working nicely, though I use it less often than the HB slow cooker.

I should also add that I bought a multicooker last year, and I feel that it does not do as well with the slow cooking function as it does with the pressure cooking function, so I've continued to use my slow cookers when that's the type of recipe I'm making.

Long story short: I recommend the Crock Pot, Hamilton Beach, and Select Brands slow cookers, and I feel that the traditional style without the programmable options works just fine. I don't think you'll need to spend more than $50 to get a great slow cooker, and I do think it is worthwhile to get the 6-quart version since that's the one most recipes are geared toward.

And FWIW, I'd also recommend shopping today or tomorrow since there will likely be special deals in place leading up to and including Cyber Monday sales. Good luck with your decision!

Re: Slow Cookers

cookie16 — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 19:29:13 GMT

I have a 6 qt. CrockPot. Hi, low, warm - that's it. No bells and whistles for me, things last longer and are usually cheaper. Mine is a pretty metallic red one and I bought it in J.C.Penney's. This is a good time for sales. I would say 6 qt. is a good size, especially as you state, for freezing meals. If you entertain and host a buffet, ideal for keeping things warm, i.e. meatballs and sausage in gravy.
It frees up stove space.

Re: Slow Cookers

Ainhisg — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 19:51:28 GMT

@Jordan2 , this guide will really help you in knowing the ins and outs of slow cooking. I am retired and home most of the time. I have non-programmable and programmable slow cookers. I have to admit that I don't use the programmable features very often. It's just easier to remember to turn the slow cooker down to low in 2 hours and set a timer. lol I'm a techie, so it's not that I don't know how to do it--it's just quicker to turn it down manually. Now if I worked, that would be another story.

The one thing I do like about my programmable slow cookers is that when done cooking, they turn to keep warm automatically. My other slow cookers have to be manually turned down to keep warm. I would get one that has high, low, and keep warm.

I highly advise getting a 6 qt. Most recipes (not all, but most) call for that size. Get a removable insert whether non-stick or stoneware. If stoneware, you can spray the sides with cooking spray to help with removal of food or use the slow cooker liners.

http://www.easyaspiecanbe.com/2014/09/slow-cooking-101.html

Re: Slow Cookers

Ilovetea — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 19:51:23 GMT

I have a Ninja 5 in 1 that is large and really is multi use and a small 2 or 3 qt one I got on clearance when they were closing a KMart years ago. I mainly use the small one.

Re: Slow Cookers

KingstonsMom — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 19:56:02 GMT

@Jordan2

I recently bought this West Bend Versatility slow cooker and love it!

QVC is sold out now on the 5qt. and 6qt sizes, but they're available at West Bend and other sites.

Very good reviews!

West Bend 87905 5-qt Versatility Slow Cooker - QVC.com

Most digital pressure/multicookers these days include a s...

KaySD — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 02:39:50 GMT

@Jordan2

Most digital pressure/multicookers these days include a slow cooker function. I like having one appliance instead of two.

Re: Slow Cookers

Northern Belle 2 — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 14:59:57 GMT

Just checked Target's Cyber Monday deals and they have a Crock Pot brand 6 qt. and a 7 qt. slow cooker for $19.99 today.

Last week, I bought the 4.5 qt. for only $10.00 at Target's Black Friday sale.

Re: Slow Cookers

Imaoldhippie — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 15:20:57 GMT

I recently bought a multicooker (Corsori). I really like it much better than a plain crockpot/slowcooker.) I brown my meats in it, no splatter all over stove & counter, and then slow cook it all in the same pot. Cuts way down on pots and pans used and the clean up is much easier and quicker. When I cook the sides with the meat there is only 1 pan to wash.

Its also easy to use and directions are very clear. IMO a multicooker would be ideal for 1 person. I have the 6 qt. You can cook as much or little as you want.

The Corsori is a few more bucks than you want to spend, but there are other less expensive brands. I bought mine at Amazon.

@Jordan2