topic Re: Recommendation for slow cooker in Kitchen

Recommendation for slow cooker

smoochy — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 02:31:39 GMT

Cooking just for myself and husband. What do you use, like, not like?

Re: Recommendation for slow cooker

Icegoddess — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 02:47:00 GMT

There are many multi-cookers these days that include a slow cook function. I would look into those. I'm happy with my Wolfgang Puck multi-cooker, but they're no longer available.

There are also pressure cookers that also have slow cooking and other functions that you may be able to get in smaller sizes, like a six quart.

Re: Recommendation for slow cooker

Thats Me — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 03:06:23 GMT

I don't have a slow cooker and have never really used one. I have an Instant Pot that has a slow cook feature. But I wanted to mention that many IP owners who try the slow cook feature don't like how it works and they regretted getting rid of their dedicated slow cookers. Apparently it has to do with the heat circulation, which in the IP is on the bottom instead of all around, as I understand it is in a slow cooker. I LOVE my Instant Pot but thought you should know what many people have said about its slow cooking function.

Re: Recommendation for slow cooker

Sooner — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 03:14:20 GMT

We have a cheap light weight, no-fancy feature little oval Crock Pot that is easy to store and move and we cook 2 or 3 big chicken breasts in a little tomato juice or sometimes pork tenderloin and then use the meat all week.

We have pressure cookers but this is what we usethe crock pot for and love it. It lives in the garage when not cooking.

Re: Recommendation for slow cooker

Imaoldhippie — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 10:50:57 GMT

I have a Corsori slow cooker 7 qt size and there is just hubby and me. I use it 4 to 5 times or more a week. Most of the time I do not fill it to capacity. When I do its with things like chili or soups and casseroles. I love it because I can cook almost anything in it.

The only downside is there are a couple of hot spots in it and the non stick has cooked off in those spots. It does not hurt the use of the pot at all so I could not care less. The pot itself comes out and is very easy to clean. I bought it on Amazon.

I would recommend it to anyone even with the hot spots and loss of small areas of non stick in those areas. Also, I recommend the large size as I would not like or want a smaller size.

Re: Recommendation for slow cooker

ScrapHappy — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 11:20:18 GMT

I like my crockpot. Name brand Crockpot. Nothing fancy, not digital. A dial on the front for high, low, simmer. No fuss and works for me. I have an Instant Pot several years now, have not used it. Tried selling it in garage sale, no one wanted it.

Re: Recommendation for slow cooker

Harpa — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 12:15:54 GMT

Just want to recommend that you find one that has a removable crock for easy cleaning. And heat it before placing in any food.

We love crock pot meals!

Re: Recommendation for slow cooker

JeanLouiseFinch — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 12:24:33 GMT

I have a Ninja 4-in-1 multicooker. I like it and bought one for each of kids when Costco had them years ago. It's gotten a lot of use as a slow cooker but only a little as a stovetop option. I have different sizes of old crockpots stored away. A few weeks ago, one of the shopping channels (HSN, I think) had an upgraded version of the Ninja and I was momentarily tempted, but didn't bite. In reevaluating my needs and how I'd probably use it, if/when my Ninja ever konks out a plain ol'crockpot would probably be sufficient, and I'd shop from what's been put away before buying new - even if it's a print design that no longer matches my kitchen.

Re: Recommendation for slow cooker

CalminHeart — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 12:27:37 GMT

When my kids were still at home, I used one that had a browning feature and love it. It's just too big for what I need now.

I have tried all kinds of multi and slow cookers. I prefer a basic one - High, Low, Warm. It has a timer for start/end but I never use it.

I like to fix an entree on Sunday and make different things with it through the week. Anything that's left on Thursday goes in the freezer in single serve containers.

Re: Recommendation for slow cooker

SoCal Bred — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 15:26:53 GMT

In 2006 I purchased a Hamilton Beach Oval 7 qt Crock Pot at Target for $29.99, nothing fancy, I make beef stew, BBQ pulled pork, Stuffed green peppers, I always use a crock pot liner helps in cleanup.

Re: Recommendation for slow cooker

qualitygal — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 13:17:42 GMT

Pork chops, cream of chicken soup. 1/2 can water. Two of us too, and it's good in the crockpot this way. I have 3 sizes and brands and a instantpot. Still not thrilled with that one.

Re: Recommendation for slow cooker

PinkyPetunia — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 13:19:38 GMT

I have a 4 qt. Rival Crock Pot. It's at least 20 years old and doesn't have a Warm setting but that's ok as the food stays warm for hours after it's shut off.

I just put in a small corned beef. I bought an extra for St. Patrick's day and forgot about it. There it was as I was searching through the freezer yesterday.

Love the CrockPot as I don't have to watch it all day. Yes I will leave it on when I go out.

Re: Recommendation for slow cooker

ECBG — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 15:26:16 GMT

I love my oval crock pot with knobs. I don't need a touch pad for something to go bad.

I can get an entire turkey breast in there by just removing the back so the lid will fit.

I also do soups and stews.

To me, a pressure cooker has an unwanted "taste".

Re: Recommendation for slow cooker

faeriemoon — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 15:05:34 GMT

@ScrapHappy wrote:
I like my crockpot. Name brand Crockpot. Nothing fancy, not digital. A dial on the front for high, low, simmer. No fuss and works for me. I have an Instant Pot several years now, have not used it. Tried selling it in garage sale, no one wanted it.

Me too. Crockpot. Mine is digital, but it's "simple digital": choose the length of time, and Hi or Lo. That's it. It switches to "warm" on it's own when it's done. I have thought of changing to one of those new "does everything" pots, but I think I'd only really use the slow cooker feature.

For the amount of times I use it (maybe a half dozen times in the cooler months), it's the right choice for me.

I have also used it on holiday buffets to keep soup warm and also to mull cider.

Re: Recommendation for slow cooker

River Song — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 17:07:11 GMT

I have The Pioneer Woman by Hamilton Beach 6 qt. oval slow cooker with the knob (non-digital). The only reason I got The Pioneer Woman version is because I liked the floral design. It was $30 at Walmart. The crock insert is removable and not non-stick. Works great. I like that I can make large batches and freeze portions for future meals. The oval size accommodates long cuts like roasts or a chicken.

Re: Recommendation for slow cooker

Rockycoast — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 09:11:53 GMT

We have our 42 year old Rival Crockpot that I will use till it dies. We use this more the our pressure cooker, air fryer or insta pot. It is simple to operate, nothing digital to breakdown, easy to remove large ceramic inner pot. It is the best!

Re: Recommendation for slow cooker

HerRoyaLioness — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 17:38:28 GMT

I have this basic Hamilton Beach 4 qt, high, low and keep warm, from Amazon and holds more than what you think. $35

Re: Recommendation for slow cooker

azgal — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 17:42:44 GMT

We use our crock pot a lot.

We had a Rival one for about 35-40 years when it needed to be replaced. We bought a digital one and it only lasted about 2 years so we went old school. It's an oval one with just a knob with high low warm and off. It has a ceramic removable pot. It's Crockpot brand and is about 8 years old. My advice is don't go digital. You don't need it and it's more to break.

Re: Recommendation for slow cooker

PA Mom-mom — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 21:01:03 GMT

@smoochy Whatever you choose, make sure it has a "warm" setting. It's great for keeping mashed potatoes warm when cooking holiday meals. I like Hamilton Beach slow cookers that have the latches on either end for keeping it safe when transporting in your car.

I have the Hamilton Beach programmable slow cooker, and I really like it. It cooks for your designated length of time and then switches to warm automatically. I also have a regular Hamilton Beach that just has Warm, Low, and High. My third is a small Crock Pot I use for gravy at holidays and making Ro-tel nacho dip.

Whatever you do, make sure you get one big enough. For DH and I, nothing less than a 5 qt. is practical. Otherwise we won't have any leftovers.

Re: Recommendation for slow cooker

WORKING GAL — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 21:12:06 GMT

I have the Ninja 4 in 1 multi cooker that I got years ago from QVC. I love it - it is an oval square, nonstick removable pan and glass lid.

It will slow cook, roast and has a steam setting. It work great and is 6 qts. which will fit oval roasts, etc. Although it is nonstick, I use a slow cooker liner so I have no clean up. It does similar things to what Sunday's Green Pan TSV does but I paid a lot less.