Are there any tips on buying a good crock-pot? Many years ago I bought a small one and my first 3 meals were terrible so I never used it again. I now think it may have been the small size?? Anyway, the only thing I know to look for, is a removable cooking insert, in order to clean easily. Are there any other "crock-pot" buying tips?? TIA!!
I have a small one and a large one.
The small one is great for warm dips and sauces - I've even used it for fondue.
The large one is for chili, soups and stews.
Removable insert is wonderful but I also use crock pot liners which really help to make clean up easy.
Removable insert for easy cleaning and a locking lid, so that you can travel without it spilling!
Yes, the removable insert is a must!
One of ours has 3 settings on it Warm-Low-High, and the other one has just Low and High. Definitely get one with all three settings. If you can find one that is programmable, that would be a plus. You could set it to be on "Low" for the recommended amount of time (say 8 hours) and then have it switch to "Warm."
I hear people find lots of good recipes on allrecipes.com. I have the "Fix It and Forget It" cookbook and "Fix it and Forget it for Diabetics." Both have great recipes.
Yes, the removable insert is a must, and I would advise you to get the biggest size possible. I have a chili recipe that is fantastic, and that I would LOVE to use my crock-pot for... but my crock-pot is too small! :( All I use my crock-pot for is making spiced cider because it's small. Come to think of it, I should probably just go buy a new crock pot. Hmm.
Buy for the size of your family. And when you are first starting out with it, try to stick around so you can get an idea of how long things take to cook. I have had a few dishes turn into stew, which was okay but quite a surprise the first time.
It's a great way to make applesauce, though! mmmm....
I second the locking lid.
Edit: the locking lid is for traveling. I have brought soups to teacher's luncheons and I bring it for pot lucks at church.
If I were buying another crock pot I'd get one that could be programed. Many recipes say cook on high for a specific period of time and I'm often out of the house for longer than that period of time. If you have one that has at least 2 settings, a low and a high, you can figure out which temperature to use for the length of time the food will be in there but it takes experience to do it well.
The only difference between a small crock pot and a large one is the amount of food you can cook. Did you put too much into the small one? You can only fill it to a specific fullness as suggested by the directions for the pot. I suggest that other factors could be at play such as the temperature it cooked at and the length of time you left the food cooking.
I HATE the locking lid. It makes it so hard to get into the crock pot. I'm sure it makes traveling with it easier, but I rarely travel with it, so I just find it to be a giant pain.
Do buy a really big crock pot, though, with a removable insert.
I have a big one and I was able to cook a whole chicken in it yesterday. It has a removable insert. I do not use my crock pot for a lot of things because I find most of what I cook i it turns out terrible. I used it for the chicken because it was a stewing hen and wouldn't have been any good to roast. It was ok. Ialso like to use it for pulled pork. That's about it.
I like ones with a timer on it, so it will stop after how ever many hours and just keep things warm after that. I don't have a locking lid and not once have I thought "I wish this lid locked". Removable insert a must. Also, check how hot the outside gets, maybe not a deal breaker but at least know it for little hands.
Large out with removable insert. Follow the directions and you should have the perfect' delicious meal.
