Shopping for a new slow cooker...wow.

Marie5656

SF VIP
Location
Batavia, NY
THe last time I used my slow cooker it bit the dust. Finished the cooking, but outside and lid got VERY hot. It is over 20 years old, so it has served me well. I have started my search for a new one.

So many choices and designs these days. I do not know where to start. I am starting to want to use it more, to prepare more foods for freezing into single serve portions. I am kind of liking a Hamilton beach one I saw, that has a temperature probe for when I cook a roast. It is built in. But I am not sure I would use that feature enough.. but the idea is good. I am going to add a picture of that one, to let you know what it is.

An interesting thing. I belong to a couple of crock pot cooking groups on Facebook. SO I posed the question there for recommendations Many of the responses were against the Crock Pot brand. And I have found people on Amazon seem to agree, That seemed to have been the go-to brand at first. Maybe even the first brand.

So hope to get one soon.

Here is the Hamilton Beach one on my Amazon wish list.

Hamilton Beach

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When I was working, I did see some advantage to a slow cooker.

Since I'm retired, why should I wait 4-5 hours for something to be ready that would only take an hour or so in the oven or on the stove?

You can still freeze portions.
Many benefits, but some things also seem to taste better when cooked in one of these. Pot roast, corned beef, etc.
 
When I was working, I did see some advantage to a slow cooker.
Interesting thing, I never used mine on work days, always on weekends, or when off work. And definately more often SINCE I retired. The other day I did a trip out to local Walmart and BJs, both near each other. Could not find one I liked at all, either non on hand, or not what I wanted. The big thing seems to be the Instant Pot. I do not want that.
So, went back to Amazon and got this one off my wish list. It is a Hamilton Beach 6 qt. It has a temp probe for roasts. I do not do roasts often, but it got the best reviews of all I liked. I will get it Friday.

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I have an old Rival crock pot with removable pot for cleaning. I love it, but only use it a couple of times a year, mostly for beans, or an odd pot roast with potatoes, carrots, onions, etc. If it ever breaks down, I'll definitely replace it.
 
I have an old Rival crock pot also. My favorite is a very old Presto pressure cooker,over 40 years old. I replaced the sealing ring about 3 times,and my dad made new legs for it years ago.
The problem I have with multi function pots is that I'm afraid some portion of it will stop working and then I'll have to throw the whole pot out.
 
Can I add a question in here?
The little booklet that came with my cooker said you can cook a whole chicken- all you need to do is add a clove of garlic and other seasonings into the cavity. I didn't want to try it because I was concerned the cooker might burn out if I used it without adding liquid. Would anyone here know if cook-with-no-liquid-added is an option?
 
Can I add a question in here?
The little booklet that came with my cooker said you can cook a whole chicken- all you need to do is add a clove of garlic and other seasonings into the cavity. I didn't want to try it because I was concerned the cooker might burn out if I used it without adding liquid. Would anyone here know if cook-with-no-liquid-added is an option?
Not sure Janice, but it may be that the chicken's natural juices would be liquid enough. as we know the pot doesn't allow any moisture to escape. But I never cooked a whole chicken in one.
 

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