Any advice on buying a new crock pot?
By JoyfulOne
@JoyfulOne (6232)
United States
October 28, 2011 9:49am CST
My faithful old crock pot is in sad need of replacement. When I washed it out last night, I turned it upside down to dry it and heard all kinds of noise from the inside (like tinkling rust.) I also noted that it's so old it's getting rusty along the bottom edges. I want to buy a new one because right now there's so many different brands and styles on sale this week.
There seems to be 2 basic styles: the tall pot shaped ones, and the longer flatter ones (looking kind of like an oval baking pan.) I've never had any of them that weren't pot shaped ones and was wondering if the long/flatter ones were better, or cooked differently. I can see where a roast might fit in the long ones better, but do they still do good with soups and stews and such? (I'm thinking that with stews, because there's more surface area, cooking might be a little different.) Also, my old one doesn't have the removable cooking pot, which makes cleaning a whole lot harder because you can't dunk the whole thing to soak. Which brand and style do you like better, and why? If you've had both styles (tub and long) which did you feel did better?
3 people like this
7 responses
@peavey (16936)
• United States
28 Oct 11
If your crock pot is very old, you won't find a replacement that will cook at the same temperatures. "They" decided that the low temps were unsafe (never mind that we'd used them like that for years), so they all cook faster now. That might or might not be a problem for you, but I thought you should be aware of that. I don't like it myself, but when "they" speak, there's not much to be done about it.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
28 Oct 11
It may be that the "warm" setting on mine is like the Low used to be. There are also some that you can do a delayed timer on, so that is different as well.
2 people like this
@JoyfulOne (6232)
• United States
29 Oct 11
Really?! Wow, I wouldn't have thought the settings would be any different (or the timers either for that matter.) "They" have messed up. Makes you wonder if "they" have ever cooked with one before lol. I've never had anything that didn't get done and wasn't food safe to eat. Thank you for that piece of advice. Hmm, I'm thinking I'm going to have to watch it more the first few times I use it if that's the case. Is this a case of a watched pot boils? (As opposed to 'a watched pot never boils' lol:-)
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
29 Oct 11
I've had both and didn't see a difference other than size. The "pot" style wasn't big enough for alot of ingredients. Also, tried ribs in the oval one once...I didn't care for them but others did, and they wouldn't have fit in the pot style. As long as it is a "crock" ceramic removable bowl, I think the only difference is size. Larger family and you'll need the larger bowl...get the oval.
2 people like this
@JoyfulOne (6232)
• United States
29 Oct 11
Mornin' Coffeebreak. Yes, size does make a difference. I'm pretty sure I'll have to stick to about the same size I've got, makes just enough for us. Curious, you said the ribs didn't work in the oval one as well? I just tried those in my round one the other day, and it was really hard to fit them in there, which is why I was wondering about the ovals. I've also had trouble fitting roasts in mine, and I didn't want to chop them up smaller just so they'd fit in. Thanks!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
28 Oct 11
I have crock pots in all sizes. I like both the upright and the oval. When I have to make a lot of food the oval is great. I do not notice really any difference in how they cook except that my oval one has "lo, Hi, and warm" and warm is the perfect temperature to incubate homemade yogurt in jars. I do not pay a lot of attention to brands, more to whether or not it has the features I like. Of course I like the ones that the crock comes out of.
2 people like this
@JoyfulOne (6232)
• United States
29 Oct 11
I have an upright right now, and I was thinking oval this time around, and definitely with a removable pot liner. Never thought about incubating yogurt in a crock pot, I will have to check that out. Seems that's got to be a lot cheaper than buying it, and it'd probably taste better too. Good thought there, thanks for all!
1 person likes this
@JoyfulOne (6232)
• United States
29 Oct 11
That's got to be handy throwing it into the dishwasher, makes for easy clean-up. I don't have a dishwasher, but having it removable would be a huge help for me. The old one I have has the crock built in, and it's great for cooking in, but washing it is always a challenge! Glad to know both the oval and the round ones seem to work equally well. Thanks! Have a great weekend!
1 person likes this
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
29 Oct 11
When I bought my last one, I made sure that I bought the removable crock (it is green) and looks quite delightful on the table, whereas I didn't like putting the whole crock pot on the table! Also, there is less of a chance of moisture getting into the inner works, as you only have to wash the crock, and wipe the outter shell!
My current one is also a Rival, and it also came with a mini-crock pot, which is wonderful to put on the table, (plug in) and keep sauces; cheese, gravy, etc., nice and warm whilst dining!
I truly prefer the long, oval one...and what I do quite often regarding the question of foods cooking at the minimal heat to discourage bacterial growths is to pre-cook on the stove at optimal temperature, then put all into crock pot...for the long, flavour enhancing cooking!
You know what, I think I will go put a Chicken Cacciatore..ON!
1 person likes this
@JoyfulOne (6232)
• United States
29 Oct 11
In addition to my big one, I have one of those small ones too. You're right, they're real handy for melted sauces and fondue type fare. I'm thinking of going with the oval ones right now, just seems like I could fit different stuff in it easier. Chicken Cacciatore...mmmm!! You have a nice day today too:-)
@TrvlArrngr (4045)
• United States
28 Oct 11
I saw one in Target last week and i think I will go back and get it. It had a seal you could lock in place so you can transport it. It was a big one and I believe it was under 24 dollars. I should have grabbed it but I have one already, though it's old.
@JoyfulOne (6232)
• United States
28 Oct 11
Ooooooo! Thank you for that Trvl! I did not know they even had ones with a seal for transporting it. Now, that is a feature that would be real handy, especially for those family parties, and community parties, where you have to bring a dish to pass. Under $24 at Target?! I'll definitely be checking out that one this weekend! Thanks again!!
2 people like this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
30 Oct 11
Hey Joy, its nice seeing you. I have a west bend slow cooker, absolutly love it. But it does cook a little different then a crock pot. The pot sits on the heating surface instead of it being around it. I don't leave the house when I have food in it. I probably wouldn't leave the house with food in a crock pot neither. I like the removable pot, it makes it so much easier to clean. I haven't heard anything bad about any particular brand. My cooker has a base, the pot fits on top of that, then it has a glass lid. I can put the pot on top of the stove, great for browning meat. The pot and lid can also go in the oven. The base is also a griddle but its small and after you use it a few times you don't want to use the griddle part. Happy cooking with your new pot when you get it. Everything is yummy that is cooked in a crock pot.
