Well, I've given in. I'm going to buy a crockpot with some Christmas money I received. I've been reading reviews on Amazon.com and Epinions.com - so frustrated! They're all so negative - it sounds like the newer models are all made very cheaply. In general, people complain that Rival models cook too quickly and that West Bend models cook unevenly bc they only have a bottom heating element. Please give me some reviews of what you use.

I have three crock pots...a 2 1/2 qt. (I forget which brand but it isn't a rival), a 5 qt. rival, and a 1 qt. rival.

I don't use the 1 qt. much, but I do use my other two quite a bit. One has a removable crock (the 2 1/2 qt) and I really like it for smaller amounts of food. Roasts fit perfectly in there.

The 5 qt. is perfect for spag sauce, chili, soups, etc. and does not have a removable crock. I just apply my 30 second rule (thanks to someone from Flylady) and fill it with water as soon as it's empty, and still warm. When I'm done with the other dishes, it's ready to be cleaned out. Go for removable. I thought I did, and boy was I surprised when I got it home.

Laura

ps: the 30 second rule is that if a chore or task takes less than 30 seconds to do, I don't have any excuse to not do it right then and there. It's annoying, especially when you want to be lazy, but it's incredibly effective in reducing clutter.

Fer,

My mom gave me this cookbook called "Fix-it and Forget It Lightly" not knowing I didn't have a crockpot.

I purchased a Rival model on sale at Target. While I have only used it once so far. I think it did very well and I like the fact I can remove the stoneware to clean it.

I think I will enjoy it, especially trying out all these interesting recipes in this book....No fuss cooking.

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Originally posted by SheriaVa:
My primary problem is storage space, which I'm sure is an issue for you too, Fer.

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I got a Foreman Grill for xmas last year and gave it away because I didn't have anyplace to put it. Now we are in a bigger house... I sort of wish I'd kept it... but on the other hand... a teflon pan works REALLY well and has multiple uses...

You may want to evauluate you need and storage ratio.

I still recommend going the Thrift route. Wait until after xmas... Brand new appliances show up many times at our local thrift store. And if you don't like it... send it back to the thrift store and take the tax write off!

I have a Rival crockpot that is SO OLD that it not only does NOT have a removeable crock, but it is avocado green. I have cursed the non-removeable crock nearly every time I have used that crockpot, so I heartily recommend getting the removeable crock (I don't even know if they make them the other way anymore).

I have a baby crock that does have a removeable crock (use it for dips and such as ske said) and what a difference that makes in cleaning!

I haven't used either of my crockpots in ages but I have been thinking lately about investing in a new one with removeable crock. My primary problem is storage space, which I'm sure is an issue for you too, Fer. Some of the newer crockpots are HAY-UGE and I just don't know that I want to give up that kind of space.

I will say, though, that my Rival has worked dependably all these 20+ years.

West Bend Versatility Slow Cooker

This is what I'm leaning towards. It has a lot of great reviews - but I'm wondering how well it works with the heating just on the base rather than the traditional all around.

I have 3 Rival and 1 Proctor-Silex crock pots. One of the Rival cookers is very small and I use it mostly to keep dips, sauces & gravies warm. My oldest one is a Rival. I've probably had it 16-17 years or more and I love it the best.

I won my newest Rival at DH's Company Christmas party last year. It is an oval stainless steel cooker with 2 different pull-out crocks. One is divided so you can cook 2 different foods at a time. It is nice but really big.

I second grrlscout's advice about looking into crock pots.

I love my crock pot for certain things...particularly soups, chilis and my homemade spaghetti sauce. I will throw in my vote for a removable crock. SOOOO much easier to clean. I just bought a new Rival a few weeks ago and it does cook very hot on the high setting so I would not set it on high and leave for the day. Use low if you want something to take all day.

Peg

I don't know the brand of the one we have, but it's large and has 3 settings, and a removable crock -- very handy.

I think Alton covers good crock features in his oatmeal episode, but I don't recall what he said.

It's kind of a sneaky thing to do, but I imagine if you wandered into a Borders / B&N and flipped through AB's "Gear for Your Kitchen" you might find that info.

I got both of mine from the thrift store. Needed two of them to cook for 12 people for dinner co-op. Paid $4 each. One of them is big, has a removable crock and cooks slower but is easy to clean. The other had the crock built in, and was ok to clean if I was organized and filled it with water as soon as it was emptied (sort of like cleaning a blender... you do not want the food to become cement-like. ) It was smaller, got hotter but eventually cracked and I tossed it... but got my $4 worth. I liked them both. Liked some things about the smaller, fast cooking one. Liked some things about the big, slow one.