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I have a really really old West Bend one (I think that's the brand). It's medium size and is what I usually use. It works great. (OP, slow cookers are SUPPOSED to take a long time to heat things so I don't understand that comment ... when I cook things on "high," they are ready in about 4 hours, so even if it takes the first hour to really heat up, it doesn't matter since it will be cooking for another 3 hours anyway.)
I also have a larger Rival that I must admit I bought because I loved how it looked ... it has a light green olive design:
I use that one for entertaining since it is probably twice as big as the West Bend. It works great too. (I must admit though that I cook most things on "low," not "high," so I can be gone for 7 or 8 hours and the food will be fine.)
I don't even know what kind I have, but my gut instinct says bigger is better. I do not know why anyone would need different sizes.
Except, I used to have a little one for nacho cheese, and I don't know where I left it, but it was great for either nacho cheese dip or buffalo chicken dip.
I don't even know what kind I have, but my gut instinct says bigger is better. I do not know why anyone would need different sizes.
Except, I used to have a little one for nacho cheese, and I don't know where I left it, but it was great for either nacho cheese dip or buffalo chicken dip.
well, I would never have planned on having 4, but I can't say I am sorry I do: as I said, for things like what you are talking about nacho dip, cocktail meat balls, etc a little one is wonderful and easy to transport: for 2 of us, I would rather use a 2 qt one than even 3 qt. I had asked for a better 1.5 for Christmas last year, ended up with the 2 qt one and I do use it, at least every few weeks. The 3 qt is perfect for so many things. I can't see using the 6 qt one, for things like a small pot roast or small chicken or to make sauce, but when I am making soup for a large crowd I love the big one. I only use it about 3 or 3 times a year. So yes, there is a reason for all of them... How many one has probably depends more on their cooking habits and how often they do entertain.
Get an older pre 2000 one from the flea market or thrift store. Those suckers pumpout the heat. I'm still using one from the 1980's and I swear it will almost boil water on high. It has a med heat setting BTW.
I don't think one should be picky about slow cookers. My very first one was purchased at Dollar General. It served me well and I actually gave it away many years ago when I was combining households. My current favs are a Rival purchased at Walmart and a smaller one that I got very cheap after Extra Care Bucks at a Black Friday sales at CVS about 3 years ago.
My Rival Crock Pot is 30 years old and works like a charm. I really should use it more often.
I would advise against buying anything smaller than 3 1/2 quarts; that way you can cook up a mess of food and have leftovers, you'll have the capacity to cook a large roast etc.
Whichever one you consider check out Amazon.com for their consumer reviews. I always like to read the reviews from people who are certified to have actually bought the unit.
Whichever one you consider check out Amazon.com for their consumer reviews. I always like to read the reviews from people who are certified to have actually bought the unit.
Me too: I would put more credence in what the average person says about a product than any so called expert. I always read Amazon or whatever. I though out the reviews that say the product is better than the very best and the ones that tell us how awful the product is or was. Then I judge what will work best for us. This is why I choose the Griddler for Christmas last year and use it so much it looks like it is 10 years old instead of just about a year.
I have a Cusinart 3.5 Qt for the two of us -works great
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