Community Chat

[dmod nj]

Hi everyone,

I am in the market for a slow cooker/crock pot. Any suggestions of brands/models/features that I should look at or stay away from?

I am looking for a 6 or 7+ quarts. After the size of it, I'm not sure what else I should be looking for/staying away from in a model.

Any and all suggestions/opinions are welcome.

I posted this in the kitchen/cooking area as well.

Thanks so much,

Donna

[kdgn]

I have a Rival that I bought at Costco a couple of years ago. Removable insert is very important! It's oval, no idea how many quarts but it's big enough for a large batch of stew. It came with a mini crock pot that I've never used; more of a fondue pot perhaps? Mine doesn't have high, medium, low settings; instead it's by hours: 4,6,8,10. It also has a warm setting.

No matter what kind of slow cooker you get, make sure you invest in a couple of boxes of slow cooker liners put out by Reynolds. I find mine in the section with the baggies and foil. They make cleanup a breeze!! Using a liner also helps to get the last of any juices out of the cooker. Just make sure you wear oven mitts because the liner will be hot.

[FUTURE]

I have one that has the removable crock, and latches to lock on the top. I agree about the liners. They. Are. The. Best. I also love that I can put everything in the crockpot and put the crock in the fridge the night before, then have hubby take it out and put it in the warmer when he leaves for work (I leave hours before him in the am). If I ever get another one, I'll get one with a timer and delay on it. There are times when it would be more convenient, but it hasn't been a deal breaker, yet. HTH!

[Marianne1]

Removable insert is my best suggestion. Also, only buy as large as you need--mine is kind of big, and I have a hard time cleaning it because of the size.

[kdgn]

Complicated Marianne- Go out immediately and buy the slow cooker liners by Reynolds!!! 4 to a box, toss after using. I don't have to spray or scrub the insert any more. Never. I wipe it out and that's it. I have plenty of room so I think these are "one size fits all" liners.

[Marianne1]

good idea, kdgn.

Thanks!

[docsgirl]

Hello Fellow Yankee fan,

I was born and raised in New York and on the Yanks but currently reside in Ohio. I still wear all my Yankee gear. I wear my late husband's cap. He loved them so much and used to sleep in his Yankee cap. Anyway, it wasn't such a great year for us. Best of luck to 'O Captain, my Captain.' What a fine young man from a lovely family.

Back to the slow cooker. The one I have has a warm setting. I put everything in before I leave for work. If it's done cooking before I get home, the cooking stops and it automatically switches to the 'warm' setting. For me, that's an important feature. Gook luck in your quest. docsgirl

[deepwaterdotter]

On 9/28/2014 kdgn said:

I have a Rival that I bought at Costco a couple of years ago. Removable insert is very important! It's oval, no idea how many quarts but it's big enough for a large batch of stew. It came with a mini crock pot that I've never used; more of a fondue pot perhaps? Mine doesn't have high, medium, low settings; instead it's by hours: 4,6,8,10. It also has a warm setting.

No matter what kind of slow cooker you get, make sure you invest in a couple of boxes of slow cooker liners put out by Reynolds. I find mine in the section with the baggies and foil. They make cleanup a breeze!! Using a liner also helps to get the last of any juices out of the cooker. Just make sure you wear oven mitts because the liner will be hot.

I have the same model, but would buy a Kitchenaid next time. The metal side handles get too hot without potholders, the Kitchenaid has plastic handles.

[irishmama5]

I have a 6qt. Removable cooking pot oval I also recommend the liners. Mine has a low setting 4 to 6 hrs and high 10 to 12 hr setting. Love mine last week pulled pork, cooking now for tomorrow beef stew.

[NoelSeven]

o/~ Oh, Donna, oh, Donna o/~

Hi there

I have a suggestion... get one with an oval shape, it's usually available in the larger sizes, like 7 or 8 qts. Most roasts and larger cuts of meal don't come in a nice round shape, as you well know.

I got mine at Target awhile back, also because of the settings that control for heat and will switch to warm after you set the cooking time and it's done.

Or! If you want the really fancy stuff. Williams-Sonoma has a few excellent ones, but those run a couple hundred.

I have a smaller size, 5 qt. for soups, and a 4 qt. for side dishes.