Speaking of Crock Pots...

One is in storage...the one that I bought specifically for the RV when I restocked it's kitchen.  When I realized I was actually going to have to LIVE in this thing, I broke down and brought the good stuff from the kitchen out!

Yes, you're right, recipes do call for different size slow cookers.  I tend to use the biggest one and double or triple my recipe.  You know....cook once, eat several times!  The key to a happy cook!

We have a fairly big one.. and there's TWO of us, and we don't eat leftovers, but it's still not very big for something like pot roast plus veggies!

I will say to get those reynold's bags -- makes clean up a breeze!!  Ours has a timer, which I set just to remember when I put the food in, haha.  But it's nice to switch to warm if you only want it to cook for a few hours. 

I *dislike* ours being stainless steel.  I feel it's a huge pain to keep looking nice.  You can't really just wipe it down easily.  I don't know, everyone loves SS but whatever kind our Rival crockpot has, I hate it. 

Ours is oval.. I like it better than round crockpots, it seems like things just fit better in there, like a roast or something.

I'm not a big fan of stainless steel, either.  Years and years ago I let my mom talk me into a stainless steel sink and was a real PITA to keep looking nice.  Then I found out that the reason my mom's looked so nice was because she rubbed it with  baby oil every day.  Who has time to do that???

Joyce

glenmar

Yes, you're right, recipes do call for different size slow cookers.

This one is my dream crock pot [http://www.hamiltonbeach.com/slow-cookers-3-in-one-slow-cookers.html] Three sizes, how cool!

 Just a little update, and wanted to thank you guys for the opinions.  I finally settled on the Hamilton Beach 5 quart programmable.  I liked the idea of being able to set the time, and I like white;-)  I briefly considered the All Clad, but heard too many stories about the insert cracking, and it's quite pricey, so I thought better of it.

spiritdogs

I finally settled on the Hamilton Beach 5 quart programmable.  I liked the idea of being able to set the time, and I like white;-) 

Great Ann,,,so did you use it yet?

 Nope, it isn't here yet - ordered it online.

 OK, I got the new crock pot.  First thing I did was make a boiled dinner - came out GREAT!!!!  The only thing I don't like is how heavy the insert is, but it does cook well, and I like the fact that I can take it to events and the lid is fastened so nothing can spill.

This Texan gal wants to know what a boiled dinner is?  I think of the seafood version when I hear that, layered with potatoes, corn on the cob, etc. Is it something like that? I guess I got the picture of a lobster in a crockpot and couldn't get past that.  lol   Glad you like your new crockpot.  I tossed a small chuck roast in yesterday morning and the house smelled wonderful when I walked in from work. 

 Boiled dinner...corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, turnip...and beets cooked separately.  Mmmm!

I've never done it in a crockpot, though.  I may try it, as my kids will be here this weekend, and the flu disrupted my St. Pat's day dinner.

Ooops, forgot the onions and parsnips...

Sounds tasty! 

spiritdogs

The only thing I don't like is how heavy the insert is, but it does cook well, and I like the fact that I can take it to events and the lid is fastened so nothing can spill.

I guess thats what makes it a "crock" pot. I had a crock container for making pickles when I lived at my other house were I had a big garden...and it was truly made out of the same stuff...and really heavy.  I guss anything else and it could break from heat..or your food would burn.    

You must have the same one that I have Anne.... I have taken it out and nothing spilled even though it was pretty filled.  Would be great to have one like it a little smaller for things like baked beans to take to picnics.

Oh now, I'm gonna have to disagree with that boiled dinner recipe.  Mine is ham, taters, carrots and cabbage.  That's the way dad, yes DAD, always made it and by golly it's good!

 That's interesting, Glenda.  I wonder how much that had to do with the fact that many years ago, ham HAD to be boiled to get the salt out.  I remember doing that, but hams now are cured differently.  It does make sense to have made a boiled dinner out of ham back then.  Our's were always corned beef though...

Glenda, you and I may disagree on corned beef versus ham for boiled dinner, but there are peeps up here who disagree on red versus gray corned beef!  I forgot the beets - and I loooove beets.  That's one of those things I think you either love or hate. Like turnips, or parsnips for that matter.  I never developed a taste for those - probably because my mom hated them.