Slow Cooker (bbq, cookie, soup, crockpot)

[Trkstp Tina]

I'm considering buying a slow cooker. Was looking at a few at Target today, and saw some very basic ones, and fancier ones with timers and thermometers.

Crockpot is the brand name most familiar, but are there other brands you would recommend? Are the extras mentioned above useful?

Any advice or recommendations on buying a slow cooker would be appreciated.

[HighlandsGal]

My slow cooker has a clock with timer (but no auto shut off) and high, low, and warm settings. Works great! Have to look up the brand name later......

[Denise in Fla]

The only thing I look for is to make sure the inside is removable for cleaning..

[Ohiogirl81]

I'd love one with a timer. Sometimes I'm gone longer than the six or eight hours needed to cook a dish, and while cooking longer doesn't ruin the food, it can make the meat more crumbly than it needs to be.

But back in the dark ages when I bought my crock pot, there were no timers, and all I wanted was one that had a removable crock.

[sgresident]

I don't have a timer on my crockpot, but i do have the high, low and warm settings. The removable "pot" is key. it allows good clean up. I am big on brand names and have the real rival crockpot! I love it, use it alot and would not be without it. in fact, i have two!
use it for soups, spaghetti sauce,chili, bbq

[MB2]

I have a very basic one, with high, low and "keep warm" feature.
I didn't need the timer (since most foods cooked in there require and cook for hours.....5 hours or 6.....does it matter? )...and...
I didn't need the thermometer either.....since everything is going to be slow cooked for HOURS, on a constant level temp.
I second the advice from pp....make sure it has a removable insert for easy cleaning!

I usually stick my pot roast in with some beef broth and onion soup mix and some veggies, and go to work.
9 hours later, dinner is done and waiting for me.
Now, how easy and delicious is that? LOL

[RDSLOTS]

Love my crockpot with the removable liner, and the keep warm feature. Be careful that you do a little research, though, when you think you've found one you like and want to purchase. I had one that had been recalled -- got w-a-a-a-y too hot! I heard about the recall a good while after it had happened, and wondered why my crockpot could almost fry stuff!

I don't have the timer feature, as I am retired these days, but it might be nice. It would keep you from over-cooking some things, like meat.


I can't see putting a whole lot of money into some small appliances, like a crockpot or hand-held mixer, as I just don't think they last like they used to. I had my Mother's little waffle iron for years, and when it finally quit, I'll bet I've been through 3 now. Same with my hand-held mixer -- and I never use a hand-held one for something like cookie dough. I think they've become victim of 'planned obsolescence or something.

[Drover]

We have a slow cooker that is basically a six-quart pot sitting on top of a stand-alone heating base. You just lift the pot off the base when you're ready to serve, or you can use it on the stove or in the oven; you can put the leftovers in the fridge right in the pot, etc. Plus it makes cleanup a snap, and the heating base doubles as a small griddle. The brand is West Bend; click here for a pic.

[HighlandsGal]

Oh yes....you definitely want a removable liner!! That is a God send.

[mommiewrites]

those plastic crock pot liners are my favorite invention EVER!

yes, my pot is removeable, but since I AM the dishwasher- its still a PITA getting it in the sink and washing it good. LOVE those liners.

I have a crock pot brand slow cooker- 6 qt I think- upgraded from a smaller one, and use it fairly often. It only has low, high and warm setting, and no timer- which is fine for me. Paid maybe $30 for it...