Top products from r/slowcooking

For most people the best one is the one at a garage sale or Goodwill for $5. Can't beat that, it's what I did and i've had great results. If you really want the best of the best however, that's without a doubt the Instant Pot. It makes just about everything under the sun along with slow cooking. Best part is it has a stainless steel bowl so you can brown meat and get a good sear before you slow cook it, all in one pot. And if you don't have all day to cook something it's a great pressure cooker. Along with rice, yogurt etc.

That being said you definitely don't need to spend $100 on a slow cooker either. Something like This would be great, as long as 4 quarts isn't too small for you (best for 1-2 people, not for a whole family)

Hey, I think I am in a similar boat as you. My SO and I live rather busy lives and we do not have that much time for cooking. The spare time we do have, we would rather spend it doing things other than cooking.


I have to say the slow cooker has been a very practical tool for us as it lets us do large portions of dishes that are to our specs. (I don't think of us as very health conscious, but she does not like salty food and neither of us likes unneeded fat, so making our own interesting meals has been great).


If you are starting, I think a copy of America's Test Kitchen: Slow Cooker Revolution Vol 2: Easy Prep Edition. is a great resource. I really like this one in particular because most of the recipes in this book taste great and they are rather easy to make. Vol 1. is good and has more recipes, but the recipes are more involved. I have found other cookbooks and most websites to be very hit or miss when it comes to slow-cooked meals. The slow-cooker has a tendency to make stuff bland if you are not careful. So you have to pay close attention to the amount of spices, aromatics and how long you leave stuff in there. It will overcook and not taste great if left too long.

If you are already doing most of your cooking at home, I do not think you will save that much money at the grocery. (Unless you are buying frozen prepared stuff, in that case yes, you will quite a bit.) If anything it will go up a bit at the beginning as you will need to get some extra spices.

Another thing you might want to think about is getting a bunch of smallish tupperware that holds ~2 servings of whatever you cook. One of the good or bad things about cooking with the slow cooker is that you will end up with a lot of servings of one food, and you will get bored of it after a couple of days. Having these small tupperwares makes it practical to store some in the freezer and be able to thaw only the amount you want when you are no longer bored of that.

What we end up doing is cook one day a week, usually on the weekend. We cook one or two large things in the slow cooker and then store them. During the week we just reheat them (or leftovers from a previous week) with some frozen veggies and rice and eat like kings. Seriously, if you follow the recipes from the cookbook I mentioned, they come out really well. We actually don't enjoy that much eating out anymore because our food tastes better. (we do like the no clean-up plus service that you get at a restaurant though)

First, here are some easy meals to cook in any slow cooker:
https://www.google.com/images?q=easy+slow+cooker+recipes
https://www.google.com/search?q=easy+slow+cooker+recipes
And here's some info I've written before about buying a new slow cooker:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090915203507AAomCvt

Like anything in life, using a microwave or slow cooker, etc, requires learning a few things, but then you'll notice that almost anyone can use them once they get past those few things. I'm sure you're a reasonably intelligent person and literate, so you'd be no exception. (Think about driving a car, as one example. That's way harder to learn than simple microwaving or slowcooking, but most people who ever try to learn it are now driving around all over our streets.)

Second though, I'd actually recommend buying a multi-function unit like the "Instant Pot" instead of a regular slow cooker because it has a completely separate Slow Cook mode as just one of it's functions. (The Slow Cook mode also works better --and at a slightly lower temp, which is good-- than the stand-alone slow cookers made these days.)
Even the least expensive Instant Pots will be more expensive than the mid-price slow cookers though, so if money is really tight ignore the rest of this.

If you buy an Instant Pot, you'll then have a slow cooker AND the unit can do all kinds of other things as well (which your wife will love when she recovers, I guarantee--and xmas is coming up if you celebrate that).
This is the model of Instant Pot I have (it's wildly popular right now)--the Instant Pot DUO60, 7-in-1:
http://www.amazon.com/Instant-Pot-IP-DUO60-Programmable-Generation/dp/B00FLYWNYQ
But the Instant Pot company also sells somewhat cheaper ones like this model:
http://www.amazon.com/Instant-Pot-IP-LUX60-Programmable-1000-Watt/dp/B0073GIN08
(That one won't have the yogurt-making mode and has some other differences, but better than not having one!)

Btw some of the other things an Instant Pot can do besides act as a separate slow cooker, are to saute/sear, steam, automatically cook rice and stews and beans and meats, and of course pressure cook (for some of those automatic functions, or if on Manual setting) which shaves loads of time off cooking anything!
For example, to make a stew (chili, pot roast, pork country ribs with salsa, ethnic stews, vegetable and/or bean stews, etc) I'd use a pre-set button that would use pressure, and would cook most "slow cooking" meals in less than an hour rather than using a regular slow cooker that would take 4-10 hours. Both ways can be used in the Instant Pot though.
(The Instant Pot is sold btw as an "electric pressure cooker" which is also "multi-function.")

lots of help and recipes for using the Instant Pot (aside from this sub at Reddit):
https://www.google.com/images?q=Instant+Pot+recipes
https://www.google.com/search?q=Instant+Pot+recipes+videos
https://www.google.com/search?q=Instant+Pot+recipes
...and some of these are groups at Facebook, a couple of which are "closed" so you'd just "request to join" first:
Instant Pot Recipe Swap https://www.facebook.com/groups/FSBMInstantPot
Instant Pot Recipes https://www.facebook.com/Instant-Pot-Recipes-1555699621354363/?fref=ts
Instant Pot Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/InstantPotCommunity
InstantPot People https://www.facebook.com/groups/1417750295197211

I recently purchased a slow cooker and have been using extensively. I love it. I was in the same predicament as you when I first started. There are many, many models and some are up there in price.

As a rule of thumb I'd say if you are mostly cooking for 1-2 people get a 3.5 or 4 qt. model. If you are cooking for an entire family I'd get a 6 qt. model.

The other thing I notice that's extremely helpful is to get one that's programmable. It will have at least the warm, low, and high setting and the ability to switch to warm automatically when the time you set runs out. This way if you are ever running late you don't have to worry about burning and over cooking your food. It will just switch to warm and still be ready for when you arrive.

I got mine through amazon.com. I'd say check out walmart.com too since they have some inexpensive deals. I personally don't see the need to spend $200 on a slow cooker. I spent $55 on mine that's a 3.5 qt. and it's been treating me very well. This is the one. I went ahead and purchased a second one in that's 6 qts. in case of parties, and I only spent $30 on that one. My main crock pot is the 3.5 qt..

Hope this helps.

This Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 Slow Cooker with 2, 4, and 6 qt. crocks is the only slow cooker you will ever need.

Why this one?

• It comes with 3 removable, dishwasher-safe stacking crocks that stores compactly, a 2 qt. for dips and fondue, 4 qt. for soups and small stews / meats, and a 6 qt. to fit whatever you can stuff in it. It is engineered so the same glass & stainless steel lid fits all 3 crocks.
  
  
• No electronic displays. In my research, the ones with electronic displays failed at a much greater rate than the others. My conclusion was that heat + electronics don't mix well. I would avoid electronics for this reason.
  
  
• Other models appear to have temperature "hot spots" and burning problems. This one does not (check the reviews). There is a switch to indicate if a 2, 4, or 6 quart crock is being used to adjust the heating elements.
  
  
• Great Amazon reviews plus my own personal recommendation. I've owned mine for almost 2 years and I love it.
  
  
• The well-placed side handles make it extremely to carry to-and-from parties and storage.
  
  
• This model looks nice and cleans up great.
  
  Other Notes:
  
  
• They don't make 'em like they used to. My mother has a crock pot that is nearly 40 years old and still works. If you get 10 years out of any of these models sold today, consider yourself lucky. Adding electronics likely lessens the lifetime of the product.
  
  
• If you do break one of the crocks, you have 2 spares you can substitute until you order a replacement for the appropriate size.
  
  
• Amazon has it on sale for $52!

The multi-purpose are nice. I've got a 6 quart Instant Pot that I use quite a bit but if you're just looking for a crock pot you can definitely get one for less. I've got a 4, 6 and 8 quart that I also use and they were all between $25 and $35 (US). It's nice to have different sizes for different applications. I recently did a small batch of chili in the 4 quart and have a big batch of 15 bean and ham soup going in the 8 quart that will be ready when I get home! Perfect timing because we're expecting about a foot of snow by Friday. Crock pots are perfect for winter comfort food.

My favorite slow cooked I’ve had so far has been this one: Crock-Pot SCCPVL610-S-A 6-Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker with Digital Timer, Stainless Steel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004P2NG0K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_pfvsDb3CAJH1X

Great size and features for most recipes! I will say, however, that I have not touched it since I bought my instantpot. I have the ultra 6qt, and I’m able to do everything I could in the crockpot but also a lot more. It gives me the opportunity to make soups in an hour and a half that taste like my all day slow cooker soups (although it does have a slow cooker function as well! I occasionally use it, and recommend getting the glass top for it if you plan to use it at all). Hope this helps!!

This is the 4qt version of the crock pot I've used for several years. I love my 6qt model, got a pot roast going now in fact. Will set for 4 or 6 hours on high, 8 or 10 hours on low. Switches to warm automatically. Cooked all sorts of stuff in mine and never had any issues. Not Prime (probably why there aren't tons of reviews) but still ships for free.

This one gives you more flexibility with setting a specific time. I can't speak to it myself because I never used a Cuisinart model, but it's got good reviews and is a Prime item.

Scroll down a little on the product pages, Amazon should have a list/chart comparing similar items. You might find one you like by checking those lists as well.

This Cuisinart Multicooker is awesome. You can make multi-step recipes right in it, keeping your pots clean. I can brown ground beef for pumpkin chili, sear a pot roast, make a sauce, and do all kinds of other stuff on the saute function, then add my other ingredients and start the slow cooking function.

It is non-stick and easy to clean, holds a ton, and has timing controls. It isn't cheap, but hey, we had a gift card from our wedding. It was a great buy that I highly recommend.

I personally like America's Test Kitchen's cookbooks. I have their Family Cookbook, which has a handful of recipes for the slow cooker, but I'm sure their Slow Cooker Revolution cookbook would be pretty good. They have a healthy version as well.

Everyone seems to be asking all the wrong questions, and no one is giving you an answer.

For my wife and I, [this] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008GS8R3K/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1495471094&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=1.5+quart+slow+cooker&dpPl=1&dpID=41A9X2qAIsL&ref=plSrch) makes enough soup for two servings (American, so consider large-ish servings), with one more serving for lunch the next day. We commonly use it for beans, small stews, and soups. It has about the same footprint as a toaster.

It's also great for making chicken or pork stock that we add to our dogs food.

Scaling up, [this] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003UCG8II/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495471094&sr=8-1-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=1.5+quart+slow+cooker&psc=1) is twice the size of the example above, and it's our workhorse. Everything from chicken tikka masala to soups to large amounts of stock. It works especially great if you prepare two weeks of meals ahead of time.

Finally, [this beast] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00S5HIN22/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1495471716&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=7+quart+slow+cooker&dpPl=1&dpID=41UWiMWgVEL&ref=plSrch) is for huge family meals , and Chili cookouts.

There really is a slow cooker for every need, and they're not very expensive, incredibly energy efficient, and they make wonderful food

I recently picked up this model, and have been quite happy with it.

My old, cheap, and very useful crock pot died a couple months back, and I was on the fence between getting another solid, cheap one, or spending a bit more on one that was stove-top safe. I am glad I spent more.

The big challenge in using a slow cooker is developing flavour depth, and browning food before putting it in the pot helps a bunch. However, browning in a pan, and then adding the stuff to the pot, defeats the one-pot-super-easy ethos of crock pots. I think it's worth it to pay a bit more for a stove-top safe model for that reason.

So, I recommend the Crock-Pot SCCPVI600-S.

I absolutely love this one by Hamilton Beach. I've used plenty of slow cookers over the past few decades and this is simply the best. It's large enough for every recipe I've ever made, programmable (by time/temperature), reliable, easy to transport and easy to clean.

I have this crockpot and I love it.

It locks the lid down tight.

You can program it. So, if you need to cook something on high for 4 hours, just program it as such. Once the 4 hours is up, if you have not kicked it off, it will switch over to warm. This feature I really enjoy, because I can cook while sleeping or at work. Other crockpots you just say High or Low, and you have to watch the clock on it. I've burned quite a few things like this before.

I've never had any problems with it.

As far as recipes, I really like the Betty Crocker website. It gives you a tidy category at the top so you can easily scroll through whatever you're in the mood to try.

I know I'm late to the party but I think I have some meaningful input for you. I purchased an electric pressure cooker on black friday, and it has completely replaced my slow cooker. This is what I purchased, and it is amazing. It has all the settings my old slow cooker had and then much more. You're able to quickly cook food if you want to and you still have all of the slow cooking and program settings you'd expect from a crock pot. Just my two cents, good luck with whatever you get!

I wouldn't recommend less than 4.5 Quart for size people like to cook for parties and have left overs. Anything less than 4.5 would be too small for me.

They have programmable slow cookers which cook for the time set and then automatically set to warm after the time is up good for someone who works all day and can't watch it. If your mom is typically home all day you could get away with a 3 setting one low high and warm.

Also if your mom goes over to friends houses often with food they sell the travel slow cookers with latching lids for transport.

The brand Slow Cooker are good also Hamilton beach is a good company.

locking lid NOT programmable

Locking lid and programmable

Standard slow cooker no frills comes with dipping sauce warmer

basic slow cooker

So basically you can purchase on what you think your moms needs are Its not a bad idea to go for the programmable locking one since its a gift but when I buy for myself I typically want to save the most money possible and get the cheaper one but they will all cook the food the same.

That's my model :)

I ordered mine from Amazon for the same price as your link (plus $4.89 for a 2 year warranty) with free shipping because the order was over $25.

To answer your question, I don't have a conclusive answer... yet. I just got it! That being said, from my first use, I can say that I'm very happy with my purchase. What initially swayed me were the reviews on Amazon. Also, I really like that it has a thermometer probe which reads the actual temperature of food as it cooks. I hope to get a lot of use out of that feature!


TL;DR: ヽ༼ຈل͜ຈ༽ﾉraise your dongersヽ༼ຈل͜ຈ༽ﾉ

It is pretty good. Good size. Good brand. It is my second choice for slow cookers after this one. There is little difference though to be honest. I am just a Hamilton Beach fan for my slow cookers.

I have this and I think it's awesome. It's great when I poorly plan something and can use the thermometer to make sure my food cooks to 180 because I never cook and high. It's awesome when I can set it to a timer and go and it will auto switch to warm.

I have this one, Hamilton Beach

It is really easy to use, simple to clean, and I literally set it and forget it. The programmable screen is pretty nifty and so far I have not had one problem (knock on wood). The price is a good and the reviews are plenty, which justified me buying it.

I recently bought a new crock pot with a timer that switches to keep warm. It also has locks on the sides which makes it easier to transport. I am really happy with it and decided to get it even though my older crock pot was still working just fine.

The model is: Crock-Pot SCCPVL610-S Programmable Cook and Carry Oval Slow Cooker, 6-Quart

It's $50 on Amazon prime.
http://amzn.com/B004P2NG0K

I also recently bought an outlet timer (to use with a fan) on Amazon for around $15. Unless you're planning to use the outlet timer for other reasons, I think it's worth it to get the crock pot with the timer and have an extra crock pot on hand.

Until that time this one will cook for up to 24 hours at desired temp and switch to warm for another 12.

Not that you'd want a recipe in for 36 but the 12 hour warming time is great.

Edit: Watch the pricing on this on. I've seen them as low as $49.99. I got a refurbished one off of Woot for $14.99. Lost the original in a divorced but came away with the Griddler!!

I had 3 other slow cookers that were mine so I kept those, I just really like this one for it's size and features.

We have this Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 slowcooker. It has 3 pots (a 2, 4, and 6 quart pot) that fits into a single base that heats it up. Its great, because you have a bitty slowcooker for fondu or dinner for 2, a huge one for when you have company or want a bunch of left overs, and a medium one. This is also helpful because many recipes are made for a specific size, so you don't have to bother scaling anything.

If I had to choose between the sizes, I'd go for the 6-quart. We seem to use it the most because we love reheating leftovers for lunch and many recipes are for a larger portion.

It’s pricey, but I love this one. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008YEXC22/ref=mp_s_a_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1510892303&sr=8-11&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=multicooker

It’s great because you can brown your meat in I️t and not have to dirty up an extra pan. You can also reheat soup in I️t quickly.

I use this Hamilton Beach unit and love it. Not only does it have programmable timers and a temp probe, both switching it to Warm when it's done, Warm actually means WARM, not "still gonna burn your food hot".

Between my own and my fiance's, we own three of these and love them.

I have this Cuisinart model and I love it. It's great that if a recipe calls for browning something before adding it to the slow cooker, you can just do it all in the cooker without having to mess up another pan. Also love the non-stick surface and that it doesn't overcook EVERYTHING like my previous Crock Pot brand did.

When I got my slowcooker, I wasn't looking for anything too fancy (electric timers, etc) so I went with the most basic one I could find. I ended up purchasing This one. I've been perfectly happy with it, and the reviews I've read seem to be generally right on with my experience.

Hopefully that helps.

Wow. That seems a lot to spend on a slow cooker. I can't think of any that are unsafe.

The Ninja seems pretty cool.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0093MRWJS?pc_redir=1412516198&robot_redir=1

Personally I'd like a slow cooker that has a latch down top for transport and has some programing features. Something like this.
Hamilton Beach 33969A Set 'n Forget Programmable Slow Cooker, 6-Quart https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EZI26GO/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_JFKoub0NQ90J3

I ordered this one a couple weeks ago. Only used it twice so far but it is amazing! I actually have some chicken finishing up right now. Gonna be amazing.

I personally love my Hamilton Beach Set n Forget programmable slow cooker. The locking lid makes it great for traveling (on days at work where we'll all bring something in to share), and the programmable features are nice for me to set it in the morning, and know that it will cook for only the time I specify.

If you live near a Bed Bath and Beyond, you could use a 20% off coupon to purchase it for $40 + tax!

"The test cooks at America's Test Kitchen have worked their magic again, developing and perfecting an all-new collection of 200 slow-cooker recipes. With this volume, we looked at this must-have appliance in new ways to truly maximize its potential. You'll learn how to make a host of dishes like Garlicky Shrimp, Chicken Soft Tacos, and Flourless Chocolate Cake--recipes you'd never expect to see coming out of a slow cooker. The moist heat of the slow cooker is tailor-made to serve up flavorful stews, chilis, and braises (and don't worry--we've included a good number of these), but with our smart strategies and clever ingredient selections, we were also able to pull off spice-rubbed roast chicken, ziti with meaty ragu, rare roast beef, poached salmon and even cheesecake."
https://www.amazon.com/Slow-Cooker-Revolution-2-Easy-Prep/dp/1936493578/

Woo, I win! 28.31

Apparently I really won, its now 49.

This is the standard one that I recommend to people. Clips for sealing the lid for travel purposes, manual dial so it doesn't reset if there's a minor power fluctuation, big enough to make big batches but perfectly capable of cooking for two without any issues.

I have the Hamilton Beach Set it and Forget it 6 quart slow cooker.
I love it. I'd reccomend getting the 6 quart size even if you aren't cooking for a lot of people. It's very annoying to want to cook something in there and not have enough room, so 6 quarts has been pretty good for just about everything I want to put in there. I even once (barely) fit a whole chicken in that thing! Here's the amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-33969A-Programmable-6-Quart/dp/B00EZI26GO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1404759563&sr=8-3&keywords=slow+cooker

I have a 3.5 quart slow cooker and it has been more than adequate. It is capable of cooking for a small group or for solo meals.

The most important thing to me was that it was capable of being stored. I live in an apartment, and with my microwave, coffee maker, dish rack, etc., there was no more space for a counter top appliance. It had to be capable of fitting inside one of my lower cupboards. Luckily, the 3.5 quart one I have just barely fits in my cupboard (I have to flip the lid upside down).

This is what I have.

This looks really similar to a Cuisinart one I was considering:
http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-MSC-600-Central-6-Quart-Multi-Cooker/dp/B008YEXC22/ref=psdc62_t1_B0093MRWJS_B008YEXC22

I like the idea of being able to sear/brown stuff right in there and then add all the ingredients to slow cook. Skip the stove altogether. It also looks like it'd be awesome for steaming corn on the cob which would be great because I always mess that up any other way.

I have had great success with something like this it's a 2 quart AND a 4 quart AND a 6 quart. So you can use the one that suits your needs at the time and you just press a button on it as to which quart size you're using. No timer though just high, low, warm but the different sizes work out great at least for me.

http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-33135-6-Quart-Stainless/dp/B000R8A1OK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410730027&sr=8-1&keywords=3+in+1+crockpot

If you aren't going to cook large meals (and have leftovers), I don't suggest you get a 6Q. If you only put a little bit in, and cook it, there's a really good chance it will overcook. I used to have this problem, and there are other people who've posted with the same issue.

I suggest you get a 3Q. It's small enough to give you two+ portions, and it's a good size for potluck dishes, if you ever do that sort of thing. I have a 3Q and it's what I use when I'm cooking for 2. It's the size I most often take to potlucks. I have a 1.5Q, 3Q, 5Q and 6Q that I use often, so I've tried different recipes in all of these.

This is the one I have. Whatever you get, make sure it has a warm setting.

This is what I just bought. Did some research online and it's cheap and reliable. So far I love it! easy to use, the probe is helpful with roasts.

http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-33967A-Programmable-6-Quart/dp/B00EZI26DW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1412249609&sr=8-3&keywords=best+crock+pot

This is one thing about crockpot cooking that you just have to learn to work around. It's due to the nature of the slow cooker. Over the long cooking period, foods like meat and vegetables give off a lot of water. Since the slow cooker is a closed environment, that water has no place to go -- any that evaporates or boils off just condenses on the lid and drips back in. To my mind, you have three choices.

1. Flavor the liquid. Use salt/pepper/spices to season the liquid so that it's palatable. When you see recipes that call for onion soup or powdered ranch dressing, that's the point. I don't like this approach because you almost never need that much liquid, and it takes a lot of seasoning to make that stuff taste good. I personally don't use seasoning packets or premade mixes.
   
   
2. Thicken the liquid. Using either tomato paste or cornstarch or a roux. Usually you would remove the meat and the vegetables and cook the liquid with the thickening agent until the desired consistency is reached. Season to taste. This is what you want if you're going for a gravy or a thick sauce.
   
   
3. Concentrate the liquid. Again, isolate the liquid from the solids but this time just bring it to a boil and let that flavor concentrate. (You may want to use a fat separator to reduce the amount of fat in the liquid depending on what you've cooked.) You may need to reduce the total volume by half or more. Add salt and pepper to taste. Use this method if you want an au jus or dipping sauce.
   
   Try playing around with these methods. The last two add a bit more work, but I think that you'll find the results are well worth it.

Get an Instant Pot. It is a good enough slow cooker, but it is an outstanding pressure cooker, and for the big majority of what you do that is better than a slow cooker. (And if you really want to hit that $150 mark, add a cast iron dutch oven)

On sale for $30

Recipes will normally suggest a 5 qt cooker, which is a decent size. Choose a size that you need and scale the recipe as best you can. Also, there is no reason to spend over $40 unless you plan on getting something adjustable or a large cooker, neither of which you probably need. Hope that helps.

I just picked this one up from amazon. they currently have online coupons for $10 off crock pot slow cookers (and i think a few other brands)

http://www.amazon.com/Crock-Pot-SCCPVL610-S-Programmable-Carry-Cooker/dp/B004P2NG0K

picked this one because i liked the locking lid for transport. it has a programmable digital timer that counts down (there is a similar looking crock pot that is $10 cheaper but you are locked into times based on the heat setting). also i prefer the stoneware insert....you can read up on that to see what your preference is as far as insert material. and the size is good for cooking big roasts or birds

hope this helps !

http://www.amazon.com/Crock-Pot-SCCPVL610-S-Programmable-Cooker-6-Quart/dp/B004P2NG0K/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1458227326&sr=1-1&keywords=crockpot

My first crockpot, pretty easy to use. I like it because it's simple and big, which helps cook in bulk. Just the right size for me.

I went to Amazon and ordered the cooker with the best reviews. It is awesome. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AO2PXK/ref=wms_ohs_product

This is the one I have: https://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-33969A-Programmable-Temperature/dp/B00EZI26GO

It's really nice if you happen to bring food to pot-lucks frequently, since there's a lock that holds everything together. The Timer is nice as well. It cooks for X number of hours and then reduces temperature to "warm" until you are ready.

I would highly recommend getting an Instant Pot while they are on sale today. It is a great slow cooker, but also a pressure cooker, rice cooker, and lots more.

This is a great article going over why a Pressure cooker is better than a slow cooker for most dishes, and with the Instant Pot you get both.

Just found this sub. Loving it already.

I bought this one about a year ago. I love it and have used it often. Never really needed the meat thermometer as of now though. Love the settings and size of it.

10/10 would buy again.

I return things with nothing wrong with them for my work all the time. Not liking the product is sufficient enough reason in most cases. Worth a shot for sure. No need to spend a ton on a slow cooker; even if you only get a partial refund you can spend it on a cheaper one you'll likely be happier. I adore my $50 Hamilton Beach one.

>I've been low energy for a while

I feel you on that. I've been in stage 4 kidney failure (kidneys are functing but not bad enough for a transplant/dialysis yet) for a while now and my energy level is pretty low.

I use a recipe in this book: http://www.amazon.com/Cooker-Revolution-Editors-Americas-Kitchen/dp/1933615699/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y (which is awesome.)

They have a few different recipes for sauce.

My recipe is really close to what OP posted in addition to what I commented after (the one that has been downvoted, haha wtf?). It's about an hour of prep work for me (but that doesn't include cleaning up the kitchen afterwards).

Sorry for the late reply, but the stay or go one is quite nice. Works nicely, big enough to do an enormous batch of stew or chili, a whole chicken, pot roast, batch of rolls, whatever.

I like this one. I love the handy probe that allows you to set the meat temperature. It's also large enough that you can fit just about anything.

Can't comment on how safe your tip is, but I thought you might like to know that these exist :)

Every recipe I have made from The Indian Slow Cooker. Especially "Dad's Rajmah." I won best vegetarian chili at a chili cookoff with 600+ attendees with that recipe.

Unless you somehow wind up purchasing the exact same model, I don't think reusing the old crock/lid would be a wise experiment. I'd pitch them.

If you don't like the look of the cookers in the recommended thread, you can try Consumer Reports (your local library should have it), or look at the top-rated ones on Amazon.

Personally I've got this one, and have been very happy with it.

Are you cooking for yourself or multiple people?

4 quarts is about the minimum size needed to cook a meal for a family of four. 6 quarts is the most common you'll find in the larger units, and with that you can cook a few days' worth of food for a single person. Also, most slow-cooker recipes are setup for the larger units.

1.5, 2, 3 and 3.5 quart units are also available, but tend not to have the added features, like a timer, automatic temperature switching or removable dish.

EDIT- Crock Pot's Smart-Pot 4 quart digital is a good option.

If you need the extra capacity, go ahead and get a 6 quart version.

If you want something smaller, this 3.5 quart Cuisinart is the only thing I could find under 4 quarts with digital controls.

I've only made one recipe from it as I just got it last week, and it took me a while to eat through all that vindaloo, so I'm afraid I can't give you a detailed review. Give me another few weeks, though, I have a feeling I will be making a lot more Indian food...

The vindaloo recipe is actually visible if you go to Amazon and look inside to page 114, the alterations I made to it were just substituting peppers and accidentally adding far too little ginger. If you'd like me to type it up I can when I get home.

I'm curious, though, where have you seen uneven reviews for it? I only looked on Amazon, and it's got very positive reviews there.

There are recipes that specifically call for a 6 qt slow cooker, so if you want to follow the recipe to a T, the 4 qt might be limiting. I don't think you could go wrong with either, though.

Saw you're in Canada, so don't know if you have access, but I have this slow cooker and it works great:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EZI26GO/

America's Test Kitchen has amazed me! The science behind it... love this book.

They are a bit pricey, but they are a godsend! Here's a decent deal on them via Amazon.

Size-wise, I have one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-33135-6-Quart-Stainless/dp/B000R8A1OK/

Comes with 2, 4, and 6 qt bowls. Crocks work better when full, so it's handy to have a few sizes to choose from. I mainly cook for myself, and use the 4 qt most often.

Hamilton Beach slow cookers have always served me well. This particular model has a probe you can use for stuff like roasts or whole chickens to get them perfect, as well as your standard Low/High and time settings. One thing to note, even though the picture on amazon shows the clamps locked down, never lock them while cooking! It can cause a dangerous buildup of pressure that could result in shattering the glass. The clamps are only meant to secure the lid after cooking for transportation.

It's not so much the brand as the features.
Removable cooker (for easy cleaning).

Oblong shape (for long bone roasts).

Lock down lid (so you can take it to potluck and not spill everything in the car).

I personally prefer an analog "high, low, warm" switch. Many of the digital switches will automatically turn off after a predetermined time. When I make stock I prefer it on high for a hour or so, then switch to warm and go to bed, then work, coming home to the perfect stock cooked for 17 hours +.

My suggestion

I have a Hamilton Beach similar to lborloz's. I love the different settings and the temp probe. I highly recommend spending a few extra bucks!

I love liners. I have a small sink, two crockpots (an older one that sticks to everything and a newer one I don't want all scratched up), and an ancient dishwasher that couldn't clean a fart out of an open cup.

I buy them on amazon for the bulk discount. I found these were better shaped for my oval pot.

This could be your problem. I had the same problem when I bought a Crock Pot branded slow cooker from a pretty well named store. Took it back and spend 30 bucks more for a nice Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker/pressure cooker with latches. Everything comes out perfect now!

I heard the first one is a little heavy on prep work. I have volume 2, and the recipes are pretty easy, but good. there's a vegetarian chapter, and a few vegetarian recipes scattered through the other chapters.

http://www.amazon.com/Slow-Cooker-Revolution-Volume-2/dp/1936493578

Slow Cooker

This one is fantastic and you can find a used one with free shipping (for college students or prime users) for $37.

I have this one 3.5q and like it. It's sized well for one person. I always make 3-4 servings and have one for lunch and freeze the rest. It's also programmable to switch to warm after a certain time has passed.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001E5CWVU/

:(. Well, thanks for letting me know! For those curious, it was this crockpot: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004P2NG0K/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If you like Indian food (much of it healthy), I recommend this book. (Not affiliated with it in any way, just like it): https://www.amazon.com/Indian-Slow-Cooker-Healthy-Authentic/dp/1572841117

I got the Hamilton Beach programmable 6qt one at my roommate's recommendation, and have liked it so far. Being able to tell it to switch to "keep warm" after a given amount of time is nice.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00EZI26GO/

It's $50

I use an oil separator pretty successfully on other recipes.

[This] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004P2NG0K/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) is the one I have and I love it. It's 6 qt, but I use it for much smaller portions all the time. It's programmable to only run for a certain amount of time before switching to warm. And the lid can lock down if you need to take it anywhere. My only complaint is that the low setting seems to run kinda hot. But that could be because I usually don't fill it up to 1/2 like is reccomended.

I have not ever seen this, however I do highly recommend Reynolds slow cooker liners. They are these oversized liners that go in the crock pot, requiring no clean up afterwords. Might help! http://www.amazon.com/Reynolds-Slow-Cooker-Liners-4-Count/dp/B002U0KKK8

Agree with this. You can also get a new one for $18. If one needs to save up for this, there may need to be other priorities. https://www.amazon.com/Crock-Pot-SCR300-SS-3-Quart-Manual-Cooker/dp/B003UCG8II/ref=sr_1_14?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1540572958&sr=1-14&keywords=crock+pot

yeah, theres a device thats used to seperate fat from drippings. it looks like this.

what i do is, i pour the hot (but not boiling) gravy into a zip lock freezer bag. then i "hang" the bag in the fridge. you dont want it to keep getting jostled, you just want it to remain exactly upright and stretched out. this basically amounted to hanging it off of one shelf and weighing it down with a gallon of milk.

the fat goes up, the gravy goes down. then you cut a corner off of the bag and let the gravy portion pour out, and pinch it shut/tip it when the fat gets to the bottom.

you can use it the same way you use bacon fat. also, in ramen and other soups, you can take a tsp or so of it and mix it into 1 cup of soup for some added richness and flavor.

this is the one I have: http://www.amazon.com/Cooker-Revolution-Editors-Americas-Kitchen/dp/1933615699

some of the stuff in it is pretty complicated, but it has lots of good recipes. the white chicken chili is my go-to

This guy, but the digital one with the timer. Got a good deal on Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Crock-Pot-SCCPVL600S-6-Quart-Portable-Stainless/dp/B003HF6PUO

I believe a good one is this. Gets recommended a lot in /r/pressurecooking as well.

Exactly - it's sort of a lazy alternative to cooking in a pan that I picked up in this book. You could probably skip this step, but I think it helps to steam off a bit of the moisture in the onions and it's a good way to mix the flavors up a bit before adding to the slow cooker.

I have this one and it works just fine. I like the fact that it comes with a temperature probe - it's really great for when I cook chicken and don't want to overcook it - but the downside is that the programming only goes up to 180F. So for tough pork and beef cuts, which typically reach maximum tenderness at 190F, it doesn't really work at all and the one time I tried to use it for pork shoulder I almost wrecked my meal.

Crockpot has a model with temperature reading as well though it looks like it's not a probe, so I'm not sure how well it works. There's also this one but it doesn't have a temperature reading at all so I'm not sure why it's more expensive...

I'd recommend this Crockpot model that includes a locking lid and a timer.

Very easy to use, and the timer is especially handy if you'll be away all day while it's cooking. The pot will automatically switch to the "warm" setting when the timer runs out.

https://www.amazon.com/Crock-Pot-SCCPVL610-S-Programmable-Cooker-6-Quart/dp/B004P2NG0K/

No such thing as a 'healthy slow cooker', because you don't eat the slow cooker itself.

That being said, it's all about the Instant Pot. These things are awesome.

I like my 6QT Cuisinart Multicooker. It's got a browning function which is nice for meat. The only thing I don't like about it is the plastic handles.

That being said, if I didn't have it I'd try an Instant Pot as pressure cooking sounds useful.

The product description on Amazon says: "Slow Cooker: 0.5 - 20 hours at 3 Temperatures". I'm behind this answer; the Instant Pot is amazing. I love my LUX-60, but if you're less concerned about budget, you can just request the DUO-60 instead and have a couple extra functions.

You really cannot do any better than the Hamilton beach set n forget slow cooker. But a good slow cooker should be programable and heat through evenly and this one does the job really well. And it is around 40 bucks. You might be able to spend a little more for a better one but this one has served me well for 3 years.

Link

Has this sub not heard of crockpot liners?

https://www.amazon.com/Reynolds-Slow-Cooker-Liners-4-Count/dp/B002U0KKK8

Beyond that though, looks good and I agree, not chili.

I'm in a better place to Google now. Here's what we use: https://www.amazon.com/Reynolds-Slow-Cooker-Liners-4-Count/dp/B002U0KKK8

Though we don't usually buy them in bulk like that. You should be able to find them at Target or grocery stores easily enough.

In fairness, I also think you're worried about a non-issue. But it seems easy enough to solve. No point mocking you for it, nu?

If you aren't going to use the programmable features you can get something way cheaper (like a basic Crockpot) for about 30 bucks at a comparable size. The cheaper options don't have an auto shut off function and will keep cooking until they're turned off BUT if you're only planning to be gone for less than 10 hours when you use it it'll be fine.

​

Actually just checking Amazon, Crockpot has a programmable one (https://www.amazon.com/Crock-Pot-6-Quart-Programmable-Stainless-SCCPVL610-S/dp/B004P2NG0K/ref=sr_1_4_acs_ac_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1543427473&sr=1-4-acs&keywords=crockpot) for less than 40 bucks and the basic one is around 30 (https://www.amazon.com/Crock-Pot-SCV800-B-8-Quart-Manual-Cooker/dp/B0196B3P1E/ref=sr_1_6?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1543427473&sr=1-6&keywords=crockpot)

Hamilton Beach Set 'n Forget Programmable Slow Cooker With Temperature Probe, 6-Quart (33969A)

10/10, would buy again. The temperature probe is great if you're unsure about how long a recipe should be cooked. Just set the safe temperature and the slow cooker will automatically switch to "warm" after.

If ya really wanna wow 'em.

Yes you want a crockpot with a timer. It will keep your food warm until you can get to it. It works very well and I have no problem leaving it on while I am at work. An outlet timer will turn it off completely and you start getting into issues with foodborne illnesses.

I have this this crockpot and its great. It is very highly reviewed and usually recommended on here.

If you're looking for other odd slow cooker goodness, try Slow Cooker Revolution.

They have all sorts of fun stuff, and on the more traditional side, a beef stew my dad said he would "pay a rather large amount for in a restaurant".

We cook a lot of beans in the crock pot. It's super easy to do - soak the beans in water overnight in the fridge and then turn the crockpot on in the morning on low with beans + veggies. When you get home 8 hours later voila! We cook some bacon when it's done and chop that to add sometimes. Mine has a timer that allows me to set it for 8 hours on low (or high). It then reverts to keep warm. I would suggest this cookbook for some tasty options. I checked it out from my local library before buying a copy. When I make beans I usually do 2 cups of beans and 6 cups of water. Black eyed peas are great because they require no soaking beforehand. DO NOT do this with kidney beans though. They have a poisonous ingredient that requires boiling on the stove.

I recently bought this one for my first slow cooker. I'm loving it and have had 0 issues. It's actually cooking away right now so I can have a late dinner and a lot of leftovers.

After ruining several recipes for which I had high expectations, I came to realize my $40 crockpot really had only one setting - high. I ended up investing in a Cuisinart 3-in-1 slow cooker. It's truly a 1-pot cooker because you can do the preliminary sautéing in it. It has an automatic timer and also has a steamer function.

Last night I dumped 1/2 jar of salsa in, threw in a 3-lb top round roast, and topped it with the rest of the salsa. Five hours on high and voila! tasty shredded beef for burritos. It was just that easy.

• Edited to add Amazon link.

I recommend saving up for an Instant Pot. They're $99, and extremely worth it. You can use it to slow cook, but it's so much more and better than a slow cooker in every regard, except straight price.

A while ago, another redditor in this sub recommended slow cooker bags when I was getting started with my crock pot.

Now I never ever worry about clean up, or about lifting out the food after cooking.

You better believe it! http://www.amazon.com/Reynolds-Slow-Cooker-Liners-4-Count/dp/B002U0KKK8

I have the 6 qt crock pot ($35) and a timer I got from a hardware store ($10).

My husband and I have something very similar to this: http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-33135-6-Quart-Stainless/dp/B000R8A1OK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1458835638&sr=8-4&keywords=slow+cooker+3+inserts

Though the 3-5 lb roasts you ask about would likely be best suited to the 6 quart version, if you don't enjoy leftovers or freezing your leftovers, the 6 quart may be too large for your needs.

I'm sorry, I don't know sizes, but I know it's a large one, and I'm going to guess 6 quart as it looks just like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-Programmable-Temperature-33967/dp/B001AO2PXK

howdy jeffcagney,

i got this one a few months ago.
Amazon.com: Hamilton Beach 33969 Set and Forget 6-Quart Slow Cooker: Kitchen & Dining

• http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-33969A-Programmable-6-Quart/dp/B00EZI26GO
  
  it works fine for me. [grin]
  
  take care,
  lee
  
  

It might be worth it to get this book

http://www.amazon.com/Slow-Cooker-Revolution-2-Easy-Prep/dp/1936493578

or check it out from a library. Lots of well tested, relatively simple slow cooker recipes.

I have this one and I love it:

https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-MSC-600-Central-6-Quart-Multi-Cooker/dp/B008YEXC22

You can brown in it, which is handy for some recipes. You can also use it a steamer, but I rarely take advantage of that. The "pot" part is non-stick aluminum, so it is not heavy. Best of all, it cleans up like a dream!

No locking lid, though, I'm afraid.

These are the best

You will obviously have to remove the lid to get a reading, and doing so will allow some of the heat to escape, and slow cooking times, however doing this once or twice after 6 hours or so won't make a big difference. If you are cooking on High/Low will also change the duration of cooking.

Some cookers have a small hole in the lid to allow a temp probe to stick out. Like this one

I have the same one. It has a program mode that switches to warm after your food is done cooking.

Amazon has a newer version of the same thing for $50 with free shipping (currently out of stock, but if you can wait)...

I use this one. It's simple and not digital. I can't think of many instances where I would've benefited a digital one since slow cooking is fairly forgiving when it comes to cooking time.

http://www.amazon.com/Crock-Pot-SCCPVL600S-6-Quart-Portable-Stainless/dp/B003HF6PUO/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1407697456&sr=8-9&keywords=slow+cooker

The price difference between a 6 quart and a smaller one is negligible, and I find it to be more versatile.

I think yours may be faulty. I just bought a new one at Christmas, with warm, low & high. I also have one that is about 8 yrs old, same temp setting They both work beautifully. I think I saw mine on Amazon for 35 bucks. http://www.amazon.com/Crock-Pot-SCCPVL600S-6-Quart-Portable-Stainless/dp/B003HF6PUO/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1463065420&sr=1-2&keywords=crock+pot+slow+cooker&refinements=p_89%3ACrock-Pot

Which effectively makes it 45. If I put 5 more I’ll get this

It's almost as if the eBay item had a differently-sized crock from the pot it fits in. Or, perhaps, in your country the crock was metric whilst the pot was Imperial, or vice versa.

Don't blow off the Crock-Pot brand; it's fine and popular. But perhaps find a way to get one new, from someplace.

I've studied different brands recently because I wanted a second, smaller one. I bought THIS one for about USD 50 in the USA. But since you want a manual one, there's THIS which is selling for USD 20 in the States. Larger sizes for manual on/off/warm ones are of course more expensive but not radically so.

I use this slow cooker with 2-, 4- and 6-quart crocks. (the crocks nest together for storage)

It's nice to have a range of sizes. I uses the 2-quart for small batches or slow cooking "experiments".

It's a 6 qt. crock.

I have the Crockpot version that KrisRobb mentions. No complaints - it's been excellent for 18 months now. I dropped the ceramic bowl in my sink while washing it and it broke, so I got a replacement for $25.

Random shutoff on these type of cookers is due to cheap circuitry. I bet they've been improving things. I remember reading issues related to earlier dates-of-manufacture and serial numbers when looking into mine.

One way things fail is just plain heat overloading some component or connection and causing it to fail. Obviously in a cooking unit this is pretty possible :) The other one is heated circuit boards/fixturing expanding at different rates. If they are glued or screwed tightly together, they will warp between these connections and possibly break or short the circuit somewhere. Once it has been heat-cycled a few times, I'd be pretty confident your unit is in the clear. It has "seen" everything that it will experience, and the tolerances dealt with it fine.

No, but we have one of the Hamilton Beach ones that comes with three crocks of varying sizes, so if I broke a crock I would probably just use one of the other ones. BTW, I recommend this model.

Ugh Reddit ate my longer post. Maybe something like this would be OK with the missus? http://www.amazon.com/Reynolds-Metals-00504-Cooker-Liners/dp/B00578EKRY

I use this Hamilton Beach one. I like that it's programmable, so even if I have an 8 hour recipe, it goes from low to warm by the time I get home. I've had it for a few years, in fact, I just made chili in it today!

Might invest in a slow cooker with the "Keep warm" feature. After the cook time expires, such as 8 hrs, it will then automatically lower the temp to 140°, which is low enough to stop cooking but high enough to avoid bacterial growth and will still be hot at dinnertime. Basically acts like a steam tray you'd see at a buffet. Here is the one I have: https://smile.amazon.com/Crock-Pot-6-Quart-Programmable-Stainless-SCCPVL610-S/dp/B004P2NG0K/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1536105258&sr=8-4&keywords=crock+pot

Mine is actually a Cuisinart..

Sounds like it's basically the same.

This is the one I use and like.

I bought my sister a fantastic unit with three different sized bowls that nest for storage. I'll try to find the model number.

Edit: I can't find the exact model, but here's a similar one on Amazon.com.

Here ya go

Got it for xmas, this is the first dish I've made from it, certainly not the last.

Or, if one is bound and determined to eliminate a browning pan from the equation there are less expensive alternatives: Crock-Pot SCCPVI600-S Countdown Slow Cooker with Stove-Top Browning, Stainless Finish, 6-Quart

I use these from Amazon. Not sure how much you're spending, but these are 25 bags for $10, whereas the local grocery store sells something absurd...like 4 bags for $5.

Anyways, I don't really notice "sticking" but I also don't pay too much attention to be honest. I pull the bag out and dump it into a container then toss the bag. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Just to make sure, if you are using a pot like this one, do not latch the latches. The latches are for transport, not for using during cooking; this can lead to explosion or other unpleasantness.

Get yourself a gravy separator

http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Good-Grips-4-Cup-Separator/dp/B0002YTGIQ

I find this essential for braising/slowcooking so I can skim fat easily and leave those condensed cooking juices in the recipe.

Depends on the crockpot, and how much was in it. I've used this one, and with it 1/2-3/4 full it would hold stuff at a very low simmer, which is definitely above 130F. As long as it stays above 130F, you're fine.

Do you know that the 6.5 quart liners won't work in your 7 quart unit? Have you tried them and they don't work? It seems like they might work but just have less overhang outside the cooker.

Amazon.ca has them for a decent price https://www.amazon.ca/PanSaver-Multi-Use-Cooking-Cooker-Liners/dp/B001V9K8Z6

PS: A lot folks on this board hate liners, expect that they'll berate you for asking this question.

I have this 6qt cooker, which is a very popular model.

Some folks report having problems with it (unexpected shutoffs, etc) but I've used mine many dozens of times without any problems.

Would you happen to have a recommended 4qt model by chance? I'm also looking for a slow cooker, but it seems that stores nearby tend to have mostly 6qt models (like this one for example: http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-33262-6-Quart-Cooker/dp/B005M8IP0W).

Check out the Instant Pot

Along with sauté, steam and slow cooking, it's a rice cooker and pressure cooker too.

I've had mine for 6 months and I use it 2 or 3 times a week.

My best week was a slow cooked chicken on sunday, then pressure cooked the carcass into broth on monday, and then brined and slow cooked porkchops in the chicken broth on thursday.

You can get a really cheap Crock Pot on Amazon for less than $25.

Amazon has an Instant Pot 7 in 1 for $70. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FLYWNYQ/ref=crt_ewc_title_dp_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

I've been looking at getting a new slow cooker as the ceramic inlay for mine is chipped and cracked, just waiting to bust. So I am toying with getting a combi slow cooker and pressure cooker, which might be useful in both cases. Here's the one I'm looking at.: Instapot

The bag is the first thing to go in the pot. It prevents the pot from getting a build up of food while cooking. They are amazing!

I was torn between that one and the crockpot one. I went with crockpot only because the reviews were slightly better.

I saw the reviews about the Hamilton Beach, but someone answered in the "Questions" that they had called the manufacturer and who stated that the issue has been resolved and all new appliances no longer have that problem. I would probably trust them. I mean, you can always return it.

Amazon

I just got the book The Indian Slow Cooker which has a lot of vegetarian recipes in it.

http://www.amazon.com/Cooker-Revolution-Editors-Americas-Kitchen/dp/1933615699

One of these guys!

I just bought this slow cooker. If you use the timer, it will cook for the time you set, and then switch to "warm."

http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-Forget-6-Quart-Programmable/dp/B001AO2PXK/

http://www.amazon.com/PanSaver-Multi-Use-Cooking-Cooker-Liners/dp/B001V9K8Z6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1420338509&sr=8-3&keywords=Crockpot+liners

I use these liners, cheaper than using the Reynolds ones you can find in stores.

Liner

https://www.amazon.com/Reynolds-Slow-Cooker-Liners-4-Count/dp/B002U0KKK8

People already put plastic in them

> Why the foil? My slow cooker is non-stick.

I don't know why the foil, but you should really try those Slow Cooker plastic liners you put in, makes cleanup 2 seconds.

Plastic Liners?

http://www.amazon.com/Crock-Pot-SCCPVL600S-6-Quart-Portable-Stainless/dp/B003HF6PUO/ref=lp_289940_1_2?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1453831485&sr=1-2

This?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004P2NG0K/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_qtLPDbYRZ36HQ

http://www.amazon.com/Reynolds-Metals-00504-Cooker-Liners/dp/B00578EKRY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413766490&sr=8-1&keywords=crock+pot+liners

http://www.amazon.com/Reynolds-Metals-00504-Cooker-Liners/dp/B00578EKRY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376460808&sr=8-1&keywords=crock+pot+liner

Slow Cooker Liners. I didn't believe in them at first, tried them and now they are a must.

Not the OP, but these are the ones I use from time to time: http://www.amazon.com/Reynolds-Metals-00504-Cooker-Liners/dp/B00578EKRY/ref=sr_1_1/191-9931987-0792068?ie=UTF8&qid=1413771832&sr=8-1&keywords=crock+pot+bags

They're very handy

There are slow cookers that can brown or have that function.
Edit: [Here you go, Cuisinart MSC-600 3-In-1 Cook Central 6-Quart] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008YEXC22/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_IXx4xbDY4K2WB)