Slow Cooker
Posted by pranabelly on May 03, 2007 · Member since Mar 2007 · 110 posts
I am looking to buy a slow cooker, and really don't know where to start. I looked on amazon, and prices run the gamut. I am only cooking for myself and my small dog, so I don't need a large cooker. I just need a decent product that will last many years and not break down after 6 months. Has anyone here had a good experience with any particular brand or model? ::)
Thanks!
pranabelly,
cute name!! i have been using a slow cooker for many years. i paid about 25.00 for one i had for about 3 years- i think it was by betty crocker? the only reason it broke was totally my fault. i did not let it cool down before immersing it in water- it cracked and was no longer safe. the one i have now was about 20.00 and ive had it for 3 years -using it on average once a week throughout the year. i think its a no named brand (sorry i am not at home to look) and its just my and my kid so its the perfect size. i would not spend over 40.00 for any crock pot. as you can tell, even the cheap ones lasts for years provided you dont do something stupid like me. i will email you the brand tomorrow.
veronica
With a slow cooker I'm not sure brands mean anything - they all work equivalently fine. I've bought a couple, so my big choice is about size and brand. I don't buy from corporations who are particularly bad corporate citizens. For size, you need to fill your cooker between one half and three quarters of the way full, so think about what you're going to make and in what quantity and select one that fits.
I've always been amazed at how affordable crock pots are. I have had two Rival crockpots. I would have kept the first, but someone got me another one as a wedding present, so I gave the first to my mom. We've had them for several years and they both work great still. It's very durable--I put it in the fridge with the leftovers, and in the dishwasher too.
There is no reason to spend more than $20-$25 for one, in my opinion. As far as size goes, I always underestimate the amount of room I'm going to need, so I'm glad I have a fairly big one. It usually happens when I'm making veggie stew and I decide to put every single vegetable I have in it...
Don't worry about brand. I don't think I spend more than $15 on the one I got, I think at CVS pharmacy. It's a small one and has served me well. Made many vegetable curry dishes, soups, stews, chili beans and potatoes in it and it's still going strong.
Thanks everyone! Glad to hear I don't have to spend a ton to get what I need. :)
Crock pots are the ultimate cheap food machines! Not only do they cost a maximum of like $30 bucks to BEGIN with, you can use them to slow-simmer anything that would normally be too cheap to cook without a load of effort. :P Beans, beans, beans, more beans... :P I'm pretty sure you can do beans and rice at the same time, if you add the rice at the correct point-- otherwise, you'd probably end up with rice-mush... Ooh, and anything that has to be slow-simmered all day for best flavor, like marinara sauces, are fantastic in a slow-cooker. If more college kids knew how to use one of these things, none of us would have to resort to Ramen Noodles... *shudder*
Yes, beans and rice are the best in the slow cooker! Since lentils take so little time to cook, I can put both lentils and brown rice in the crockpot at the same time, and they turn out perfect!
i bought my crock pots at the thrift store. one for 4.99 and the other 1.99 and i've had them for about 5 years or so!!! i bought two other ones and gave them to my sister, after discovering how amazingly good they are for cooking beans, lentils and other veggie meals. i see crockpots at the flea market, garage sales and thrift stores all the time.
I just replaced my grandmothers' crock pot with a new Rival pot from Target, it was only $19.99 and came with a thermal travel case for Potlucks!
I've used it everyday since I got it (I had a stack of slowcooker recipes I've been wanting to try... Yumm!) and it works like a dream.
I highly recommend the Rival brand, my grandmother's was over 20 years old and the only reason I replaced it was because I wanted one with a removable pot for easier cleaning.
Have fun experimenting! :)
Mine is a Rival also. It's the smallest model they have, has a removeable pot and, like I said earlier, was under $15 at my local pharmacy. I use it almost weekly and works great.
I have 2 rival crockers, I ahve the one w/ the removable pot, which makes it SOOOO much easier to clean! I also have a small one that I bought somewhere on sale (holds like a meal for one?), I had a good idea in mind for the small one when I bought it, but I haven't used it very much.
I use mine for everything..since it's "warm" weather out now it's primarily used for making "canned" dog food :D but in the colder months Ill make everything I can in it.