topic Re: SLOW COOKER/CROCKPOT in Kitchen

SLOW COOKER/CROCKPOT

eddyandme — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 13:48:36 GMT

I was thinking of picking up a 3qt slow cooker/crockpot. Would that be a good size for two people? Don't want to cook large amounts and then have to freeze (and forget to use).

Also, what's the difference between a slow cooker and a crockpot? And, which would you recommend?

TIA

Re: SLOW COOKER/CROCKPOT

Kachina624 — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 13:52:54 GMT

@eddyandme Slow cooker and Crockpot are the same thing but Crockpot is a brand name. Yes, 3 qt would be good for 2 people.

Re: SLOW COOKER/CROCKPOT

Meowingkitty — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 13:54:50 GMT

Crockpot/slow cooker are the same thing. I personally prefer one that is programmable vs one that is a manual. I like technology I guess. I have this one and even though it's 7 quarts for just the two of us I still like it. I feel if I'm going to go through all the trouble of cooking I might as well make it worthwhile. That's what freezers are for.

Re: SLOW COOKER/CROCKPOT

wagirl — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 13:57:16 GMT

@eddyandme --they are the same thing--I think the Rival brand trademarked crockpot--I had one from the early 70's by Rival that had crockpot in their name---my crock pot is 5 qt oval one and there is only me and my DD. You might want to slow cook a whole chicken in it--delicious, I might add, and a 3qt may be too small. I also use and heartily reccommend ,the crock pot liners too--you get 6 that fit a 3 to 8 qts for under $4. They live by the kitchen wrap in the grocery store. Those things are great for lessening the clean up. My crockpot is Rival and just basic --low and high and warm. I don't need the bells and whistles. Mine works great and I use it often.

Re: SLOW COOKER/CROCKPOT

sugarbee — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 14:14:16 GMT

I so agree about the liners for crock pots - they make clean up so very easy!

Re: SLOW COOKER/CROCKPOT

Scooby Doo — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 14:54:58 GMT

I would go with a 5 qt. That size would allow you to fit in a roast or chicken along with veggies.

Re: SLOW COOKER/CROCKPOT

LindaSal — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 15:01:35 GMT

I have a 6 quart Crockpot and yes it's just DH and myself. I use it all the time, I have a whole roaster chicken in there today with onions, carrots, broth and herbs. Tonight I will make a side of stuffing and gravy. I like to make soups and chili in the winter and while I know you don't feel you want to freeze, a larger pot does give you a lot more cooking options.

Re: SLOW COOKER/CROCKPOT

deepwaterdotter — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 15:14:40 GMT

My 4-quart slow cooker is a programmable Hamilton Beach. I would also suggest that a 6-quart slow cooker will give you more cooking flexibility, I use a KitchenAid model.

Re: SLOW COOKER/CROCKPOT

Icegoddess — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 15:23:18 GMT

I only use mine a few times a year for chili. I don't really like cooking my meat and veggies together in one because everything ends up tasting the same. I also prefer my veggies dry roasted rather than swimming in liquid.

Re: SLOW COOKER/CROCKPOT

drizzellla — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 15:37:47 GMT

I have 3 slow cookers. And I only use the 6 quart slow cooker. The others are smaller.

I use the 6 quart because I know everything that I am cooking will fit with no problems. The ceramic crock can be cumbersome to clean but it does clean easily.

The 6 quart has all the bells and whistles but I don't use any of them. If the recipe calls for cooking for 6 hours, I cook it for 6 hours. I don't bother setting timer or probe or any of the other features.

And now the cooler weather is here, it will come in handy. Each one of my crockpots are different brands, Hamilton Beach (6 qt), Crockpot (4 qt) and Rival (1 qt). They all worked well. The only reason I use the 6 quart is the size.

Re: SLOW COOKER/CROCKPOT

PinkyPetunia — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 15:31:10 GMT

Three quarts is a bit too small IMO. I have a 4 qt. and is not big at all.

Re: SLOW COOKER/CROCKPOT

HerRoyaLioness — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 17:11:20 GMT

I just got this one and really like the size, I was able to cook cheesy hash browns in it, filled it up, but it is only 4 qts so small enough for just 2. On Amazon.
They also make it with auto sets but I don't need that.

Re: SLOW COOKER/CROCKPOT

Kachina624 — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 19:57:05 GMT

Even better, I have a 6qt Instant Pot pressure cooker with a slow cooker function so I gave my big crock pot away and restored some shelf space. I am a family of 1 and wouldn't have one any smaller as I like to freeze leftovers for a night of no cooking.

I have both a small pressure cooker and a small crock pot but have never used either.

Re: SLOW COOKER/CROCKPOT

Another new name Sue — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 22:02:10 GMT

@wagirl i can't imagine a whole chicken in a crock pot. Does it just fall apart and then you pick out all the bones? Skin on? How do you do this?

3 qts is pretty small. No "wriggle room." No extra space for a soup, chili, stirring a full pot could cause spills.

Re: SLOW COOKER/CROCKPOT

wagirl — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 22:15:41 GMT

@Another new name Sue ---Yes the chicken comes out in pieces-- I just put the whole bird in the crock pot, skin and all--you can season the outside if you want or put an onion or a lemon and herbs inside first and let that baby cook!! Smells heavenly! Has really wonderful broth for soup too--just pour it thru a strainer first. The meat is moist and tender---nothing better.

Re: SLOW COOKER/CROCKPOT

Danky2 — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 22:45:22 GMT

I just got a 6 qt crockpot a couple of years ago. I am only 1 person but sometimes it is not really big enough......I make a lot of split pea soup and it is just big enough.

I bought the liners for it but it has a ceramic insert and I never use them.....still in the drawer. I bought the cheapest I could find. Off, high and low plus the insert .......the ceramic is a little heavier.....VERY easy to clean even with storage for 2-3 days.

when it cools off I put it in the fridge with cover on for storage. It was under $10 on

amazon.

Re: SLOW COOKER/CROCKPOT

jannabelle1 — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 22:46:52 GMT

My latest is a 4 quart Hamilton Beach and it's just the right size for the 2 of us. The one thing I've learned is that it must be oval in shape (and not round). The oval just makes it much easier to cook chicken breasts and pork chops....or a small 3 to 4 lb. roast.

Re: SLOW COOKER/CROCKPOT

ECBG — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 22:52:22 GMT

For your first meal, I would suggest stew.

1 lb. lean stew beef, cut in bite sizes, fat removed

2 cans beef broth

2 TBSP Worcheschire sauce

1 onion cut in slices, then in thirds

1 pkg fresh sliced mushrooms barely chopped

1/2 C any wine (we like burgundy)

Add all ingredients to crock pot.

Cook on low 8 hours.

Serve on a bowl with broth.

Re: SLOW COOKER/CROCKPOT

sunshine45 — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 22:57:23 GMT

4 slow cookers, all different sizes, depends on what i am cooking. love my smaller ones for keeping gravy warm or for hot dips. i do recommend getting oval shaped ones......they are easier to use than the round ones. you can spread things out a bit more.

Re: SLOW COOKER/CROCKPOT

HLP — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 03:17:10 GMT

@ECBG wrote:
For your first meal, I would suggest stew.

1 lb. lean stew beef, cut in bite sizes, fat removed
2 cans beef broth
2 TBSP Worcheschire sauce
1 onion cut in slices, then in thirds
1 pkg fresh sliced mushrooms barely chopped
1/2 C any wine (we like burgundy)

Add all ingredients to crock pot.
Cook on low 8 hours.
Serve on a bowl with broth.

THANKS, GOING TO TRY THIS TODAY. i WILL LIKE IT, NOT A PICKY EATER AND NEVER HAVE BEEN. tHIS DOES LOOK GOOD.