Crock pot suggestion

[njsweetP]

Hi! I've been following the threads for recipes and eating at home and I am starting to do a lot more cooking in my slow cooker, but I think it gets too hot.
I have the Crock Pot brand (maybe 5 or 7 qt) and was looking for suggestions for other brands that you use and like. One that keeps the temp and doesn't burn or gets too hot. Also the lid on mine is very loose fitting around the crock part.

Thanks!

 

[Mom_Rides]

My mom bought me a new crockpot for my birthday. It's a 3.5qt from Cruisinart. I REALLY like it. I always thought my crockpot brand ran hot. The Cruisinart has 3 temp settings: high, low, simmer. I use the simmer function when I'm cooking all day while I'm at work and it works perfectly. You set the timer and when the time is reached, it switches to warm. Even the low setting seems to be a lower cooking temp. It is a smaller sized crockpot but the size works just fine for us.

 

[Debbie7452]

Ever since I got my newest Crock-pot brand a few years ago, I have been fighting with it to cook my dishes without burning them and drying out the food. It was always too hot! I finally gave up and ditched it for a Hamilton Beach model 7qt. Stay or Go model. I love it!! Finally a slow cooker that cooks SLOW.

 

[sherry7]

I have a 6 (or 6.5?) quart Hamilton Beach crock pot that I like. I'm not sure of the model name, but it's stainless, programmable (love this feature!), and has clamps to close down the lid if you travel with it. There's a meat probe too, but I've never used it. I paid around $40 or $45 for it on Amazon.

The programmable feature really helps with modern crock pots. Because of food safety concerns, all crock pots cook faster than what they used to. It's really not a good idea to let foods like raw chicken and raw pork cook on super low heats, because the "germies" grow. I can program my crock pot to cook for however many hours, and then it goes to the keep warm setting.

 

[North of Mouse]

Hi! I've been following the threads for recipes and eating at home and I am starting to do a lot more cooking in my slow cooker, but I think it gets too hot.
I have the Crock Pot brand (maybe 5 or 7 qt) and was looking for suggestions for other brands that you use and like. One that keeps the temp and doesn't burn or gets too hot. Also the lid on mine is very loose fitting around the crock part.

Thanks!

I wonder if something is wrong with your Crockpot. I have only had the Crockpot brand and owned several. My latest is a 6qt Smart Pot and I love it. The last one was a 7qt. - it was great but *I* broke it.

They should *never* burn your food, also the lid - even though loose fitting to a degree, is made that way on purpose. The water vapor/steam seals it, so that isn't an issue. That are not made to fit *tight*. Heat/air does not escape through the edges of it.

I would call them about your problem, maybe they can help resolve it. Good luck!

 

[si-am]

I have a Rival and it's great. It does seem to cook a little quicker than most recipes call for (which in my mind is a good thing!) so I usually set it for an hour or two less than the recipe says, and it will automatically switch to warm mode at the end of the time.

 

[Tree]

I recently had a to get a new crockpot-my one of 14 years stopped cooking. It did me well 2-3 times a week so I was sad to say good bye.

I got the Hamilton Beach Stay or Go Slow Cooker and really like it! Nice programmable one which I think is a must if you if you are working.

 

[njsweetP]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Mine is definitely 'off'. I made brownies in it last night and after an hour the bottom was burnt black and when I lifted the lid, smoke was coming out. The night before that I made a stew and that burned as well. I will look into the Hamilton Beach and also the GE model that I read about elsewhere. Want to keep it under $50.

 

[wiigirl]

I recently had a to get a new crockpot-my one of 14 years stopped cooking. It did me well 2-3 times a week so I was sad to say good bye.

I got the Hamilton Beach Stay or Go Slow Cooker and really like it! Nice programmable one which I think is a must if you if you are working.

I agree...programmable is SO more convient. I upgraded my crockpot a few years ago and don't know I I survived without it.

 

[Kae]

I have a 6 (or 6.5?) quart Hamilton Beach crock pot that I like. I'm not sure of the model name, but it's stainless, programmable (love this feature!), and has clamps to close down the lid if you travel with it. There's a meat probe too, but I've never used it. I paid around $40 or $45 for it on Amazon.

The programmable feature really helps with modern crock pots. Because of food safety concerns, all crock pots cook faster than what they used to. It's really not a good idea to let foods like raw chicken and raw pork cook on super low heats, because the "germies" grow. I can program my crock pot to cook for however many hours, and then it goes to the keep warm setting.

That is the one I just got. I have used the probe & it works great.

Kae

 

[daughtersrus]

I have a Crock Pot brand (model SC7) that I like. It's oval shape which I think is much better than round. It has 5 settings, 4hrs, 6hrs, 8hrs, 10 hrs and Keep Warm. When the time is up, it switches to "keep warm".

It also came with a carrying case that has come in handy.

I used it last night for pot roast.

 

[pigletto]

Funny, I have a Krups that is also a steamer and rice cooker. I like it but it was very expensive (160 or so?). I got a second one because when making big meals I'd like to use the steamer option on the Krups and the crockpot for something else. Just got a cheap one around Christmas time.. I don't even recall the brand offhand. Lid fits tight, programmable, lots of room, and 3 temp settings. I think I paid under 30 for that one and I like it just as much. So, don't discount a cheaper one.. they can be just as good.

 

[sksjasams]

Just something to consider...make sure you are not buying too big of a crockpot. Crockpots need to be more than half full - 3/4 full is ideal, or the food will cook too quickly.

I had a 5 qt round that my DH ruined with water in the base. I replaced it with a 6 qt oval, and it is way too big. I can never get it full enough and food cooks way too fast. I recently bought a 4 qt oval and it is perfect for us. Family of 3, but I make enough to have a couple meals. The oval shape is much better than the round, but don't make the mistake of buying too big.

Good luck with your choice!

 

[pixiewings71]

I have the Crock Pot brand and it works great, I set mine to cook for x amount of hours and then it switches to warm so even if the food is ready before I am it's still warm. Mine doesn't get too hot and doesn't burn the food but I do fill it more than halfway each time I use it. If it doesn't look full enough to me I add more liquids.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I don't know what brand mine is, I think Hamilton Beach, it has the 3 different size pots (2q, 4q & 6q), and there is a butten to tunr it on for the size of the pot. I don't use it much, but when I do, I love it, I've not burnt anything in it, like I have in my other one. I bought some of the liners and those are great for clean up, because the 6qt pot is heavy.