Crockpots

I'm in the market for a crockpot. I spent a lot of money on a Farberware unit and the damn thing would never heat up past lukewarm, I couldn't cook anything in it. What is a good one to get? Hopefully with large capacity and a removable pot for ease of cleaning.

Um, isn't the point of a crockpot that it doesn't heat up past lukewarm? My general problem with cheaper models is that they run too hot, bringing things over the edge of a bare simmer to a boil - though I've had two relatively cheap ones and they generally work fine, the last is just a quibble.

Mhays wrote: My general problem with cheaper models is that they run too hot, bringing things over the edge of a bare simmer to a boil

This is the major problem, I find, of many models.

Here's a link to what Consumer Reports says:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/appl ... ers-ov.htm

Parts of the article are members only. Check out your local public library for the paper copy....

I have 8 crockpots bought at different points in time over the last 15 years. My current favorite is my Cuisinart. It cooks a little warm on low, but the timer works well and switched to warm when done.

Cook's Illustrated liked the All-Clad Stainless with ceramic insert, which, as the link shows, is pretty highly rated by everyone.

Geo

Mhays wrote:Um, isn't the point of a crockpot that it doesn't heat up past lukewarm?

If it won't get hot enough to cook the food I don't see much need for it.

I don't want to spend two bills on a crockpot.

Cogito wrote:I don't want to spend two bills on a crockpot.

You asked which is a good one to get. You didn't say how much you are willing to spend. Geo told you the top rated crock-pot according to Cooks Country/Cooks Illustrated. They liked a few others, though not as much as the All-Clad:

KitchenAid Stainless Steel Slow Cooker ($130)
Cuisinart Slow Cooker ($99)
Hamilton Beach Programmable Slow Cooker with Temperature Probe ($60)

The did not like the Rival Oval VersaWare Crock Pot, the Hamilton Beach Oval Stay or Go Slow Cooker, or the West Bend Oval Versatility Slow Cooker.

Regarding temperature - you need the unit to be hot enough so that the food gets out of the "danger zone" of 40 degrees to 140 degrees within four hours. All of the units that they tested accomplished this. The point that MHays is trying to make is that slow cookers don't get that hot because you want the food to go from 140 to 200 slowly. If you have a unit that isn't getting food hot enough, perhaps it is defective. Or, you need to give the food more time. Crock-pot recipes vary in cooking time from 1-2 hours to 8-10 hours.

After 30 years of putting up with cheap crockpots that boiled my food I settled on the Fagor slow cooker,rice cooker,pressure cooker and browning pot.
I can't tell you how satisfied I am.The programming is simple and the pot cleans up easily.
Go to Macy's website and read the customer reviews.

One of my two is the HB Stay or Go, I'm pretty happy with it (not sure why CI didn't like it, but I like that the lid locks for potluck) I forget the other one, but it's also a cheaper model - it's the one where the 'high' was too hot.

Cogito, have you tested the temperature of the liquids in your pot with a thermometer?

I have a Rival crock pot. I bought it for fifteen dollars on sale at Kohls. It works fine. I have some ancient crockpots that simmer the food at a lower temperature but the new ones run a bit hotter. All work fine. I read that the manufactures made them hotter because there was an isssue of possible food bacterial contamination with the lower temp. If you want that kind you might check a resale shop there are old crockpots there.

Heh-heh toria, I've got a Rival crock pot, too, but it's a *bit* older, and serves as my spare. Note the '70s decor.

Geo

Mhays wrote:One of my two is the HB Stay or Go, I'm pretty happy with it (not sure why CI didn't like it, but I like that the lid locks for potluck)

I should have been more clear. They rated this model and the Rival Oval VersaWare Crock Pot as "recommended with reservations," as opposed to "Highly recommended" or just "Recommended". Their comments on the HB Stay or Go were "The gimmicky travel clips and recipe name tag were not part of this model's appeal, but testers did appreciate its solid performance in the kitchen and the "straightforward, no frills" ease of operation. This inexpensive cooker does not have a timer, which is a serious drawback."

The only one they gave a "Not recommended" rating to was the West Bend Oval Versatility Slow Cooker.

Mhays wrote:One of my two is the HB Stay or Go, I'm pretty happy with it (not sure why CI didn't like it, but I like that the lid locks for potluck) I forget the other one, but it's also a cheaper model - it's the one where the 'high' was too hot.

Cogito, have you tested the temperature of the liquids in your pot with a thermometer?

I threw it out. Thanks for the suggestions, I think I'm going to get the HB programmable unit, it seems to be a good deal.

My ancient slow cooker just deceased. Would appreciate recommendations.

Thanks,

bmahin

This thread is a start; more recent advice on current models would be appreciated, I'm sure.

The Crockpot/Slow Cooker Thread

One thing you might look for in a slow cooker is one you can also brown in and one that comes with a divider. Also get an oval type shape instead of a round as its more versatile. I must have four slow cookers now, all rival crock pots that I have loved but really its a pain to have to brown food in a separate pot and then add to the slow cooker. I know many will toute Kitchen Aid, Breville, Cuisinart, etc and I am sure they are good but take a look at Wolfgang Pucks new versacooker.
Its got a bunch of features I am looking for so I might look into that at some point. Its gotten good reviews if you google it.

http://www.hsn.com/kitchen-dining/wolfg ... 30_xp.aspx

I picked up a couple large oval slow cookers from the Taste of Home outlet. Both were large west bend ceramic models.
I have not had any issues with them. I did not see any difference with these models and some of the more expensive units.
I do not see the exact model, but this is close:
http://www.amazon.com/West-Bend-85157-O ... 982&sr=8-8
I also converted one into a sous vide until it replaced it with a home unit.

If you are in the area, the Taste Of Home outlet is an interesting place - and visit the bakery across the street. In the same complex is a malt shop and Cherie's Gourmet shop good for a walk through.
http://www.reimanpub.com/Revise/VisitorCenter.asp

The address of the place is a little hard to find on the website, so here it is:

Reiman Publications Visitor Center
5602 Broad Street, Greendale WI 53129
414-423-3080

Thanks to all of you.

bmahin