Need Crockpot Recommendations

[not2late]

I'm looking for a crockpot. Now, before I go further, the last time I used a crockpot was back in the early '80s when I was in junior high. Mom had one and it was awful---only held 1 1/2 quarts, had one setting. Clean up was a horror. Granted they've improved over the last 20 (yike!!!) years, so....

1. Do these things have different heat settings?
2. Do these things have larger than a 1 1/2 quart capacity? I plan to use it for batch cooking, like soup and chili.
3. How's the clean up?
4. What kind do you have? What's it's capacity? Would you purchase it again? If so, why? If not, why and which one would you purchase instead?

[Laurenfra]

Re: Need Crockpot Recommendations

Off the top of my head....
Brand does not matter as much as features. They now come as big as 5 qt. I think. Make sure the crock comes out. Clean up is a breeze. That baby goes right into the dish washer. My big one has low med and high. I prefer one with a plastic lid. The glass ones I tend to drop and break.

[slimndown]

Re: Need Crockpot Recommendations

I have a 5QT that has a Low, Med, High and Serve (which keeps it just warm enough to eat) setting. I use it for batch cooking too. Easy clean up.

[scott123]

Re: Need Crockpot Recommendations

I bought the 6.5 qt thinking that I could use it for any amount up to 6.5 qt. Wrong. I put in 3 qt. of stew on it's lowest setting and a few hours later the edges had burned. I then read the instructions to find out that it's not recommended to use it less than half full.

Although these can handle slight changes in quantity fine, they aren't a one size fits all solution. Definitely keep that in mind when deciding on what size to purchase.

[didy]

Re: Need Crockpot Recommendations

I've seen it advertised but haven't tried something that you put in the crockpot for the clean up-maybe a foil thing? I just saw it on tv yesterday. Might be worth it. Mine is hard to clean up. Although-if I get it emptied right away and spatula at the sides-the dishwasher can usually handle it. Mine is huge.

didy

[Binsk]

Re: Need Crockpot Recommendations

I've got some Texas ribs cooking in mine right now. Mine has a timer that allows 4-6 hours high, or 6-12 hours low and then it switches to warm which is great for buffet dinners. I saw on television that Hamilton Beach has about a dozen varities with all kinds of features, it all depends on what features you would use.