Speaking of Crock Pots...

I have a Rival, think it's 6 quart capacity, glass lid, which I like because I like to see what's happening in there without lifting the lid. :)  It wasn't expensive and it's not fancy but it does the job.  I don't need the type with the lid that latches for transport but I can see how that would be nice for taking potluck to friends.

Mine's a Rival also and I'm very happy with it. I doubt they make them any other way anymore, but be sure to get one that you can remove the ceramic pot on. My 1st one (a million yrs ago) didn't have that and cleaning it was a pain. Some of the fancier ones now have timers on them, so that might be a nice feature but I can't imagine when I'd use it.

I have a Rival. I'm not sure how large it is, but its large. It has a glass lid and a removeable ceramic pot. It has all of these auto functions, for chicken, pork, beef, chili, stew and soup. It has a temperature probe that sticks in whatever you are making, when it heats to the temperature, it switches to warm. I love it. I probably use it once a week.

I have two of them. Actually 3.  I have an off the wall brand from Big Lots that is a 5 qt...didn't think it was big enough.  Also have a small 1 1/2 qt for when I just need to keep something warm. My good one is a Hamilton Beach and I really like it. Its a 6 qt and it has these clamps on it so that if you need to take it to someones house it closes really tight so that nothing can spill out.

I hope you will think to get a bigger one...just because if you make soup or things like that....it gives you enough room.  I start out not thinking I need that much room and by the time I add veggies and all.......its too full.

 The one I have now is a three quart, and I know what you mean about it being too small.  Even though I don't have a big family to cook for, if I have one of the boys over (I say boys, but they are men), and I want to do a pot roast so that I have enough for the meal and some leftovers, it is tiny!

I heard that the Hamilton Beach was nice for traveling.  Maybe I'll look in to that one.  Keep the ideas coming, though, anyone else who wants to share.

I got one for my best friend for Christmas (I think it was a Hamilton Beach) and I was almost tempted to keep it for myself.  It's a 6 qt. and it's programmable.  Once the cooking time is over, it automatically switches to the *keep warm* setting.  Mine has a keep warm setting, but I have to switch it myself. I got her one of the slow cooker cookbooks to go with it - "Fix It and Forget It."

Joyce

fuzzy_dogs_mom

It's a 6 qt. and it's programmable.  Once the cooking time is over, it automatically switches to the *keep warm*

My sons GF got one of those last Christmas and loves it. IF they would have had that one I probably would have gotten it...but I didnt' really want to go out looking for it becasue I figured the chance of me using the programmable part was not real good. 

I have this one  http://www.hamiltonbeach.com/stay-or-go-slow-cookers-stainless-look-stay-or-go-6-quart-slow-cooker.html 

Its big enough for my family of 5 of which 3 are big eaters...  

dyan

..but I didnt' really want to go out looking for it becasue I figured the chance of me using the programmable part was not real good. 

It's possible that I wouldn't either.  It might be too technologically advanced for me. In my own defense though I have to say I did figure out the VCR, microwave and alarm clock. And now it looks like the VCR is almost obsolete.

Joyce

fuzzy_dogs_mom

I got one for my best friend for Christmas (I think it was a Hamilton Beach) and I was almost tempted to keep it for myself.  It's a 6 qt. and it's programmable.  Once the cooking time is over, it automatically switches to the *keep warm* setting.  Mine has a keep warm setting, but I have to switch it myself. I got her one of the slow cooker cookbooks to go with it - "Fix It and Forget It."

Joyce

I have a Rival Stone Ware 6QT with the glass top and the removable pot for cleaning.  It has a high setting 4-6 hours and a low setting 8-10 and a hold warm setting.  I like it and try to use it as often as I can.  I love cooking all day, one pot meals!   Mine dosen't lock for travel but it has this nice insulated carring case to take it places and keep food warm while its unplugged.

I have a 6qt Hamilton Beach.  It's programmable so it switches over to "keep warm" on its own.  It is very easy to use.

 Thanks everyone - leaning toward the HB, but still thinking...

I also have three.  Talk about excess!  I replaced the one from the RV that I donated to a family that had lost everything in a fire. Have the nice one from the house in here as well.  AND a giant one.  The regular size one that I use the most is a Proctor Silex....programable, ceramic insert and the glass lid.  Brands don't matter much to me, function does.

glenmar

I also have three.  Talk about excess! 

Actually, I'm not sure I'd consider that excessive.  An awful lot of crock pot recipes specify a particular size pot that works best.  I just wish you could stack them one inside the other like Tupperware so they wouldn't take up so much space.

Joyce