topic Re: Your best crockpot recommendations in Kitchen

Your best crockpot recommendations

smoochy — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 17:33:01 GMT

I'm looking for a new one. I cook for my husband and myself but I like to make a substantial amount so that we have lots of leftovers. Currently using a multi purpose rice cooker with a slow cooker function. It's about five quarts. Add to this, I belong to a group that meets every two weeks for a potluck dinner. A pot with a locking lid might be handy, for transporting. I spotted a pioneer woman crockpot at Walmart, pretty colors and design. Locking lid.

speaking of Pioneer Woman. Do any of you use her kitchen and dining items? I love her designs.

Re: Your best crockpot recommendations

Imaoldhippie — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 17:59:12 GMT

@smoochy ............As for Pioneer Woman's crockpot, there have been several that caught fire and they dont get good reviews.

I had a 7 qt Hamilton Beach with a locking lid that I used for years. You might want to consider looking at slow cookers as they do a multitude of things, but I have not found one that has the locking lid.

I would recommend the Hamilton Beach or the Cockpot brand.

Re: Your best crockpot recommendations

smoochy — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 18:01:50 GMT

@Imaoldhippie wrote:
@smoochy ............As for Pioneer Woman's crockpot, there have been several that caught fire and they dont get good reviews.

I had a 7 qt Hamilton Beach with a locking lid that I used for years. You might want to consider looking at slow cookers as they do a multitude of things, but I have not found one that has the locking lid.

I would recommend the Hamilton Beach or the Cockpot brand

yikes didn't know about the fires! I don't really want a multi cooker. Just a slow cooking function.

Re: Your best crockpot recommendations

deepwaterdotter — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 18:08:04 GMT

Another vote for the Hamilton Beach with the locking lid.

Re: Your best crockpot recommendations

Group 5 minus 1 — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 18:22:39 GMT

We have 2 that we really like. An oval large Hamilton Beach and a smaller one (RIval)- I never use the large H-B it's just too large for the 2 of us. The smaller one-we use a lot.

Re: Your best crockpot recommendations

LindaSal — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 19:44:47 GMT

I have a 7 quart Crock-Pot slow cooker and I love it. I've had it for years and it never disappoints. I like the larger size even though it's just DH and myself. I like to makes soups and stews that I can freeze portions of.

As far as PW, I never tried the line. My daughter does have a pan set and she is quite happy with it.

Re: Your best crockpot recommendations

ID2 — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 19:51:31 GMT

I just bought the Ninja Food Pro 8.5 qt.Multi-Cooker from Costco. I highly recommend it! I got rid of two of my old crock pots and am madly in love with my new Ninja!!

Re: Your best crockpot recommendations

ECBG — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 20:03:47 GMT

I have the largest oval crock pot. I prefer knobs so

I can plug it into a lamp timer.

I make stews and chuck pot roasts with vegetables.

Re: Your best crockpot recommendations

PA Mom-mom — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 20:24:27 GMT

@smoochy I have the 7 qt. Hamilton Beach I bought at Walmart. I really like the timer.

I also have a 5 qt. Hamilton Beach which has just the warm, low and high settings. It has worked well for 6 years. And I have a very small Crock Pot for keeping gravy warm and doing warm dips for parties. They all work very well and come in handy at holidays.

DD has used the Pioneer Woman slow cooker for many years and has never had a problem. She uses it every week and takes it to church gatherings.

Re: Your best crockpot recommendations

Razzy 7 — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 21:05:08 GMT

I would not purchase a crock pot. I would purchase an Instant Pot. Besides its use as a pressure cooker, it can be used as a slow cooker (crock pot) as well.

Re: Your best crockpot recommendations

Sooner — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 21:43:02 GMT

Don't get one too big or your food will steam and swim in liquid. I prefer one that has a timer and a probe that temps what you are cooking. That's a huge help.

Re: Your best crockpot recommendations

SaveTheTurtles — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 01:42:27 GMT

I've got one that has the locking lid and the dial goes from hot to warm. I've had it for years and it's still going strong.

Re: Your best crockpot recommendations

smoochy — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 04:26:41 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
Don't get one too big or your food will steam and swim in liquid. I prefer one that has a timer and a probe that temps what you are cooking. That's a huge help.

what do you consider too big? How has the probe helped with your final dish?

Re: Your best crockpot recommendations

CelticCrafter — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 11:55:58 GMT

@LindaSal wrote:
I have a 7 quart Crock-Pot slow cooker and I love it. I've had it for years and it never disappoints. I like the larger size even though it's just DH and myself. I like to makes soups and stews that I can freeze portions of.

As far as PW, I never tried the line. My daughter does have a pan set and she is quite happy with it.

@LindaSal We bought one of her frying pans and I like it better than the T-Fal it replaced. It's a much heavier and thicker pan.

Re: Your best crockpot recommendations

ciao_bella — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 12:12:44 GMT

I have a slightly older oval crock pot with a timer, but it doesn't have a locking lid. As far as the Pioneer Woman kitchen items, I got rid of all the mismatched mugs and bought a set of 6 of her 18 ounce tall style mugs and LOVE them! They are beautiful to look at and the ceramic is well made and doesn't craze or chip easily.

Re: Your best crockpot recommendations

smoochy — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 15:33:26 GMT

@ciao_bella wrote:
I have a slightly older oval crock pot with a timer, but it doesn't have a locking lid. As far as the Pioneer Woman kitchen items, I got rid of all the mismatched mugs and bought a set of 6 of her 18 ounce tall style mugs and LOVE them! They are beautiful to look at and the ceramic is well made and doesn't craze or chip easily.

I've seen those in Walmart. Just beautiful!

Re: Your best crockpot recommendations

Rockycoast — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 15:44:19 GMT

I have a 42 year old Rival Croc-Pot that is still going strong. Use it frequently for all sorts of dishes. Will use it til it gives out. My husband bought me a large Cuisinart slow cooker. Used it a couple of times. Like my old one better. Simple to use. Nothing digital to break down. Holds temp better.

I'm not a fan of the Pioneer Woman. Don't care for her dishes nor her designs.

Re: Your best crockpot recommendations

AnikaBrodie — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 17:07:49 GMT

@smoochy

I purchased the rectangular Crock-Pot slow cooker 3.5 quart size last October and use it often. It has a stoneware insert which can also be used in your oven, and has high, low, warm and off settings. It has locking handles and a place on the back for cord storage which makes it easy to transport to potluck dinners outside your home.

There's just my husband and me, and I always have leftovers for another meal or to freeze for later on. We attend potluck dinners monthly and have an average attendance of 40 to 50 people. Everyone makes a dish to share (entree, dessert or beverage). We mostly make a hot dish using this Crock-Pot because it's so easy to transport and keep the food hot until it's served.

Here is a photo of the slow cooker. I highly recommend it.

Re: Your best crockpot recommendations

ncmama — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 18:24:01 GMT

Having had several in various sizes I find the Crock Pot brand to be superior. Some just let the food boil in there and results are not great.

Re: Your best crockpot recommendations

Sooner — Sat, 10 Feb 2024 01:56:48 GMT

@smoochy wrote:
@Sooner wrote:
Don't get one too big or your food will steam and swim in liquid. I prefer one that has a timer and a probe that temps what you are cooking. That's a huge help.
what do you consider too big? How has the probe helped with your final dish?

@smoochy Too big depends on what you cook I guess. But if there's just a little food and the needed liquid in the bottom, I have had trouble in the past with condensation dripping off the lid and things not cooking well. Like it will steam the food.

I'd say what you normally cook should probably fill the pot half full or a little more to cook well. And yes, so far the probe has worked great! It has kept chicken cooked in salsa from being over done and dried out.