Recommend a slow cooker/crockpot

[mollz007]

I am thinking about buying a crockpot as I have seen lots of good recipes lately. My ILs gave me a 30 dollar amazon gc for my bday and I am thinking of using that to buy one (or at least use it towards buying one). Could you recommend yours? Bonus points if it is a MM crockpot!

What do you like/dislike about it?

Favorite things to cook in it?

Thanks!

[nonsenseabound]

Rival crockpot

[geneg]

I had a Rival (digital). It broke after a few years (common complaint). Then I got a manual (dial) Hamilton Beach. Still going strong after regular use after almost a decade. My sister has one that it older than mine and loves it. Cheaper than Rival, so is MM.

[tacokick]

I like the Hamilton Beach 3 in 1 because it has three interchangeable crocks so I can make pretty much any slow cooker recipe in it.

[Deleted]

I have the Hamiton Beach Set & Forget. It's great for making stuff while we're away at work. Only complaint is the massive size because it's just the two of us. But almost all the programmable ones are that big.

www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-33967-6-Quart-Programmable/dp/B001AO2PXK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347243372&sr=8-1&keywords=hamilton+beach+programmable+slow+cooker

I love salsa verde chicken or pork--put 4 chicken breasts or pork chops in the slow cooker, add 1 jar salsa verde and a can of chopped green chile. Cook on high 5 hours, shred and serve in tacos or burritos.

[mrsd2006]

I have this one with the timer:

www.amazon.com/Crock-Pot-SCVC609SS-6-Quart-Programmable-Stainless/dp/B0024XKV6E/ref=sr_1_9?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1347243792&sr=1-9&keywords=crock+pot+timer

I don't use it that much so I don't have any really good recipes. But I have a ton of them pinned so hopefully I will actually start using them soon

[dexteroni]

We actually have two. Both are Crock Pot brand - is that Rival? (ETA: yes). The first one is 5.5 quarts (like this) and it was a wedding gift. It works very well, and I like that it will automatically switch itself to warm after the cooking time is up, but I didn't know about the recommendation to fill it halfway for best performance. That resulted in having to make way larger batches than I wanted to.

So I got a 3.5-quart one like this and it's just the right size. It can fit a small roast or enough chicken pieces for a two or three meals. It doesn't switch itself to warm but I don't know if any of the smaller ones have that option. And I still use the giant one for chicken stock so it's not completely wasted.

Also I like the oval shape instead of round. It's a better shape for cooking a roast or a whole chicken.

ETA links and to mention that the large one came with a Little Dipper, which we use constantly. Love that little thing.

[catbus]

Sept 9, 2012 21:18:53 GMT -5 @ameliapond said:

I have the Hamiton Beach Set & Forget. It's great for making stuff while we're away at work. Only complaint is the massive size because it's just the two of us. But almost all the programmable ones are that big.

www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-33967-6-Quart-Programmable/dp/B001AO2PXK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347243372&sr=8-1&keywords=hamilton+beach+programmable+slow+cooker

We have the same one and I absolutely love it. I don't have a problem with the size, either, since usually when I make a slow cooker recipe I want leftovers.
Edit: Amazon tells me I bought that in March 2009, so we've had 3.5 years of flawless service from it. Also, I vastly prefer it over the Rival Crock Pot we previously had, which seemed to just get too hot. Also, the lid on the Rival wasn't secured at all, so when the contents would get hot, the steam would cause the lid to rattle like crazy. Those two factors were enough for me to donate that one and "splurge" on the Hamilton Beach.

[Deleted]

Sept 9, 2012 21:28:00 GMT -5 catbus said:

Sept 9, 2012 21:18:53 GMT -5 @ameliapond said:

I have the Hamiton Beach Set & Forget. It's great for making stuff while we're away at work. Only complaint is the massive size because it's just the two of us. But almost all the programmable ones are that big.

www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-33967-6-Quart-Programmable/dp/B001AO2PXK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347243372&sr=8-1&keywords=hamilton+beach+programmable+slow+cooker

We have the same one and I absolutely love it. I don't have a problem with the size, either, since usually when I make a slow cooker recipe I want leftovers.

It's great for leftovers, it just makes me scared to experiment with new recipes. If something is gross, it's no fun to keep eating it forever (DH is big on not wasting food, so we have to eat it unless it's inedible).

[mollz007]

Thanks for all your suggestions so far! They have been very helpful!

[catbus]

Sept 9, 2012 21:30:45 GMT -5 @ameliapond said:

Sept 9, 2012 21:28:00 GMT -5 catbus said:

We have the same one and I absolutely love it. I don't have a problem with the size, either, since usually when I make a slow cooker recipe I want leftovers.

It's great for leftovers, it just makes me scared to experiment with new recipes. If something is gross, it's no fun to keep eating it forever (DH is big on not wasting food, so we have to eat it unless it's inedible).

Oh yeah, I know what you mean.
Speaking of... when H and I were first living together, he decided to make slow cooker spicy chicken. Unfortunately, he misread the recipe's call for "one or two canned chipotle chilis in adobo sauce" as "one or two cans chipotle chilis in adobo sauce" (and of course he used two cans). I nearly died after one bite. He can handle really hot food, but even he had a hard time with that chicken... but he ate it all over the next few days, because he also hates wasting food.

[mbcdefg]

m.macys.com/shop/product/cuisinart-psc-350-slow-cooker-3.5-qt.-programmable?ID=357360&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results

I like using mine for chicken thighs:

iwasborntocook.blogspot.com/2011/08/back-to-school.html?m=1

sotastysoyummy.blogspot.com/2009/07/barbecue-beer-chicken-thighs.html?m=1

Pork ribs: apply dry rub, wrap in foil, cook in crockpot, finish on grill or under oven broiler with BBQ sauce.

Pulled pork: pork butt, add root beer, cook, shred and add BBQ sauce

Chicken stock: chicken carcass/bones, root vegetables, herbs and salt & pepper, water, and a little white vinegar to help get flavor from the bones

Gumbo: www.food.com/recipe/crock-pot-chicken-and-sausage-gumbo-with-shrimp-55786

Cranberry roast: beef or pork roast (I like the beef version better), can of whole berry cranberry sauce, a couple teaspoons soy sauce

The Crockpot 365 blog has a ton of recipes as well as reviews of different crockpots themselves: crockpot365.blogspot.com

[blackcat]

I have a Hamilton Beach 6 quart "Stay or Go" Slow Cooker, it was a wedding gift and I LOVE it.

www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-6-Quart-Slow-cooker/dp/B001I9R2HQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347250870&sr=8-1&keywords=hamilton+beach+slow+cooker+stay+or+go

It was inexpensive and is not overly complicated with bells and whistles. I can't think of anything I dislike about it.

My favorite dishes to make in it are: pot roast, beef stew, pulled bbq pork or chicken. I also keep swedish meatballs or spinach artichoke dip warm in it when having parties.

[Deleted]

I currently own 5 crock pots in all different sizes. I think my favorite is my newest one. www.target.com/p/crock-pot-programmable-6-quart-slow-cooker-black/-/A-13697382
It is great because I can take things places too. I didn't realize how many things I could take places until I got this. Beans to a friends house to watch the game, soup to a sick friend, something for a work potluck, etc.

[sjh722]

I have a 6-qt, I think this is the updated model:
www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=18700891

If you're making a small batch of something, you can set a small rectangular corningware casserole dish inside the crockpot insert. I've done that several times for small batch of chicken or the like.

[mrs.spunky]

I have the 6.5 quart programmable touch screen one. It is ~$100 on Amazon but it is great and the best one according to Cook's Illustrated.

[Deleted]

I have the All-Clad with the insert you can also use on the stove. When I got it, it was the only slow cooker that had that option, but now there are a few - Cuisinart makes one and I think Hamilton Beach might also have one. I love that I don't have to dirty extra pans if I need to brown something first.

[moolarkey]

I have 2. One is very old, vertical (round) with a manual dial. Works like a champ, use it for soups and such.

I have a 6qt oval. It cooks well but it had a hinged lid. The hing broke within about 3 months. Took it off.

The handle on the glass lid broke off, it wasn't mishandled or anything. We had an old ceramic doorknob, husband screwed it on for me. I'd like a slightly bigger knob on it but it works.

I must have just gotten a lemon when I bought it, DD and DDIL both have same model and no problems. I use this for all kinds of things - roasts, enchilads, etc. I thin kit's the older version of this one (I don't have the lid latches this shows) www1.macys.com/shop/product/hamilton-beach-33262-slow-cooker-6-qt.-stay-or-go?ID=605084&CategoryID=21483#fn=sp%3D1%26spc%3D28%26ruleId%3D52%26slotId%3D19

[Deleted]

If you get one that is too big for some recipes, just put a smaller container inside it. I use my rice cooker insert. You can make a big one smaller but you can't make a small one bigger, so if you just want one get a bigger one.

I find I get better results with my programmable than my old-fashioned one. Otherwise I overcook everything.