To answer the question about what I cook in the crock pot...My kids age 33 and 37 love pot roast in the crock pot - I just add cream of mushroom soup, lipton dry onion soup to the roast and add onions, carrots and potatoes. It makes it's own gravey and the beef is so tender, it just falls apart. A family favorite. I'm staying at BWV so I will need to bring my own crock pot. I also cook fresh turkey breast in the pot. It makes the most wonderful hot turkey sandwiches you will ever eat! Both really easy meals.