Kitchen

[littlerock]

My daughters old crock pot has bit the dust. I have never used one. Just wondering if there is a preference for a certain brand or are they all fairly similar. I'm looking for opinions so I may be able to replace one for my daughter. Thank you

[walker]

I can only speak for the Hamilton Beach crock pot I have. I purchased it at Target. I think it came with a mini-crock that I like having too. I am pleased with this crock pot. The feature I like the most is the side locks/latches. I can lock the lid down and transport food in it without fear of something spilling. It has three settings....high, low and warm.....all you need. Good luck!

[aubnwa01]

I also have & like a Hamilton Beach.

I had a Rival & even on low, it cooked too hot & things would scorch, so i got rid of it.

[scotnovel]

I have had Hamilton Beach for a long time and it works fine. Your daughter may already know about these but I would never use the crock pot without the special cooking liners. They are sold at the grocery store and make clean up a breeze - when finished, just take them out, tie them up if needed, and throw them away. The crock pot doesn't get dirty at all and can be washed out or rinsed out very quickly - nothing is baked on it.

[camochef]

I have lots of slow cookers from the original crock pot from back in the early 70's to the huge BBQ pit and many in between. Had used them all regularly until I bought my first pressure cooker. Still use one or two on occasion but I would recommend the Ninja 3-in-1 as it is a multi-functional product.

Besides allowing you to use the slow cooker functions, you also have the stove-top features and my particular favorite, the oven feature which allows you to steam roast and steam bake. The primary reason I purchased it.

While I can now do without my slow-cookers, I couldn't do without my Ninja or my pressure cookers.

That said, I'm making stuffed cabbage rolls today, and as much as I love my ninja, and the fact that it only takes 6-7 minutes to cook them in any of my pressure cookers...I still prefer using one of my enameled cast iron Dutch ovens to cook them in. Probably my old 6 qt. Lodge or my 8 qt Kitchen Aid. Some habits are hard to break.

Enjoy!

Camo

[Pook]

I have a Hamilton Beach that has 3 sizes of crocks which is great so you don't have to use a large size if you are making something that doesn't fill it up. I cooks better when using the correct size.

[sciencegeek_1]

For me the brand isn't the most important thing. The most important thing is that the crock is removable from heat base. Some of the cheapies don't, and it is critical that it does, or else you can just give up on it being useful. Also consider the size you buy--remember you can always cook a small amount in a big pan, but you can't cook a big amount in a small one. So plan for the bigger things when choosing the size.

As far as the brand, mine is Hamilton Beach and has lasted a lot of years. My sister has had to replace her Rival brand a couple of times due to crazing.

[ChynnaBlue]

Honestly, I think more important than the brand is convenience. Some have a removable pot that go in the dishwasher so that you don't have to handwash and worry about a power cord after each use. If they came in smaller sizes, I'd give up my perfectly good crock pot for one that I could put in the dishwasher.

I might try some of the liners, but I really don't like the idea of creating more disposable waste.

[brandiwine]

My old Rival Crock pot bit the dust and I replaced it with a new one. First time I used it, it got so hot I thought it was going to start a fire. Pulled the plug and returned it the next day. I had purchased it at Kohls and the CS person said this was the 5th one returned for the same reason. Got a Hamilton Beach and love, love, love it. I won't ever buy another Rival anything.

[HowsYerMommaAnEm]

I am sold on the Ninja 3-in-1. Why buy just a slow cooker when you can get this one that does so much more? I use it almost every day and love, love, love it! Worth the extra money by far.