crock pot

Can anyone recommend a brand of crockpot or slow cooker? I have a small Rival and a medium Rival Smart Pot, but they both cook too hot on low! I need to be able to cook for approx. 10 hours (working mom), but both of these crockpots cook so hot they are bubbling after just a few hours. The Rival I had 20 years ago did not do that. I read somewhere that the manufacturers had to up the temperature on low because of food safety concerns. Can someone suggest a brand where low really means low, and I can slow cook all day?

I have a KitchenAid 7-quart Slow Cooker which is fantastic.  It has 5 temperature settings.  Check out this web page:

http://www.kitchenaid.com/flash.cmd?/#/product/KSC700SS/


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Nesco is also a brand many people recommend.  This 4-quart model is on sale:

http://www.nesco.com/category_774b5b98e066/subcategory_68cc036ba8c3/product_8065f5a16c02/session_f7b1b39a99b6/

All of the new cookers even on their lowest setting cook hotter than the old ones. You won't find any newer ones that cook at the lower temperatures the old ones did. Options: reduce cooking time in your recipe or find an old one on eBay. ;-) I still have my mother's (among many others) like one of the very original ones (gaudy orange with like blueish flowers lol!) that came out in the 1970s-I keep it around when I really need "slow"cooking, not charring everything to a crisp in 4 hours on low....

I would look for one that also has a warm feature. Mine is an All-Clad and I really like it. I can set it to high (300 degrees) low (200 degrees) or warm for so many hours, minutes and then it will go to warm automatically from high or low when it is done. Have beef stew in it right now!

Becky Ann

I have a Hamilton Beach Stay 0r Go 8 qt and is has 3 settings, high, low and warm. IT does great. I have put on a meal at 7 am on the low setting and by 5:30 it is JUST GREAT. I have also been in a bit more of a hurry to have something done and i have thrown in a roast frozen even and cooked it and some veggies on high for about 5 hours and it is just great. I love my pot and would not make it as a busy working mom without it.... We even have a couple of crock pots at work we cook and so we dont have to leave work at lunch if we dont want too. I love the warm feature because if i cook something on low for 8 - 10 hours and still need to wait on all the kids to get home I can put it on warm and it is just the right eating temp when we all get ready.

I just purchased a Hamilton Beach 3-in-One Slow Cooker. It has 3 (yes 3) crocks, 2 qt, 4 qt and 6 qt for $30.00 at WalMart. I have my first recipe for Asian Spareribs in right now so I can't give you a review. I am using the 4 qt crock. It has a 2 qt, 4 qt and 6 qt button and then you can select Warm, Low or High. The crocks nestle together so it doesn't take up much room (only when you are using it the other 2 crocks have to set somewhere).

I have a All Clad and i just love it.  It is the one for $149.00, plus i have another hamilton beach which i purchased at walmart  $17.88 for smaller meals and i like it as well.

lola

 

1.  check a second-hand store, thrift shop or garage sale (or your mother-in-law's far back cupboard!) for a gently used vintage one; or

2.  use the one you have - but set it up in the morning on a timer (like the one we use for Christmas tree lights) so it turns on mid-way through the morning.  [I do this for crockpot oatmeal some wintry nights...it comes on at 4 a.m!]  If cold ingredients were to sit on the countertop for 1-2 hours, it shouldn't be a problem?