Can anyone recommend a good slow cooker and any good tips on what to cook successfully?

Answer 1

Ok here ya go, first, crock pots and slow cookers are BASICALLY the same when it comes to Brand names, now what you want to look at is the wattage on the bottom, it'll run from 60-300, the lower range, settings of 60-150 cook slower then the 150-300, got that? so when a recipe calls for 6 hours it might be 5 on the upper range units, I hope I haven't confused anyone. Any way, I personally have 4 CP's in different ranges. Let's break in your new cooker, my treat. Enjoy

Slap Your Mama Crockpot Roast

Your choice of Roast, Seared in a hot skillet with oil, salt and pepper
Red potatoes, about 6-8 halved
Celery, 3 stalks course cut
Onion, 1 Lrg, cut into 4’s
Tomato’s, 4, cut into 4’s
Mushroom’s, if you have’um toss um in
Carrots 4, cut into 4’s
Bay Leaves 2
1/2 tsp Thyme
1/2 tsp Rosemary
1/4 C Worcestershire sauce
1 C Water

Put in the Roast and all the goodness on Medium and go shopping for 5 hours.
You did wash your hands when you started didn’t you?

Answer 2

I had an old Nesco pot with a removable metal liner and adjustable temperature controls. You could use it for everything from slow cooking to deep fat frying!

I don't know if Nesco still makes them, but if you can ever find one at a resale shop or on eBay, I recommend them. This one was round and the size of a regular Crock pot, but it was so much more versatile.

Whatever brand you get, I suggest that you buy one with a removable liner. The ones with the build-in liner are hard to clean without getting the heating element wet.

As far as cooking, I love to make soup, chili, stews, or anything that requires long, slow simmering. Slow cookers are also great for spaghetti sauce, too!

Answer 3

I have a Crock Pot brand. I don't know if it's the best, but I like it. I love to cook pinto beans in it. Just pre-soak your beans, put in crock pot and cover with water, and cook on high about two hours. Add some ham, a chopped onion, a couple of garlic cloves, black pepper, and whatever seasonings you like. Cook until beans are soft, and some have broken down and formed a gravy. Make some corn bread, and you have a complete meal. I also cook a roast in my crock pot. I put in a chuck roast, sprinkle a package of dry onion soup over it, and add a little water, Cook on low about eight hours. It will be very tender, and render lots of stock for gravy or another recipe.

Answer 4

Not sure which is the best, but I like to cook a roast with potatoes and carrots and onions in mine. Just toss everything in with a little water and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours and "Voila" everything is ready. Now that I think of it our brand is Rival. Good Luck!

Answer 5

Rival

roast

Answer 6

We love our Rival crockpot. Tons of settings, and the best part is the removable insert for the dishwasher.

I so hate cleaning a crockpot by hand.