New Crockpot

[MMluvsWDW]

Ok fellow Crockpoters. I am just wondering what you guys think is the best crockpot. I have one that has a timer on it and goes on high or low and really haven't been impressed. This one will be a gift for a couple (2 people no kids) so what would you recommend size and type?

[piratesmate]

I'm not good with comparisons, because I've always had Rival pots. My sister & mother both had a brand that used a metal non-stick pot that sat on top of a heating element. I never liked theirs & wasn't impressed with the way they cooked.

For a number of years now I've had an oval pot & wouldn't change. It's SO nice if you want to toss a roast in but haven't remembered to defrost it...it still fits. It also holds a whole chicken without cramming it in & I've used it to cook a boneless ham. So I love the shape! I also think that even though there are larger round pots, the ovals seem to hold more.

My current pot just has high, low & warm. It cooks so fast (compared to my original one) that I could never put something in & be gone for 9 hours. Still, having that "warm" feature is awfully nice for nights when DH doesn't come when he's expected. ;)

[HERSEY]

This is the one I have I can adjust the temp and time. Most importantly nothing has burnt.

http://www.target.com/Hamilton-Beach-6-qt-Programmable-Cooker/dp/B000HG7YUQ/sr=1-1/qid=1221783348/ref=sr_1_1/601-6333967-9628947?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Ahamilton%20beach%20slow%20cooker&page=1

[MazdaUK]

On size I think it depends whether they entertain. My DSis has 4 kids, but even when it was just her and DH she had a BIG slow cooker (as we call them here;) ) and used it to entertain, or to cook large amounts and freeze. A small dish can be limiting. My mum has one with recipes for both a full pot or half the amount, so something like that might do the job (sorry, I don't know what her brand is or if you can get it over there)