| Author | Message | ||
     Meandtheboys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 1725 Registered: 12-2004  |
Been wanting to buy one for a while now, but I have no idea which one to buy, or what features I need or don't need. There are so many options. Anyone have any experience with one they love, or hate? Any suggestions? Would like to buy one this week to try out a new recipe or two. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 9819 Registered: 1-2003  |
Get one at a garage sale. You won't spend more than $10. If you want, you can borrow mine. I hardly use it, though I wish I used it more. I find it's very good for making arroz con pollo. | ||
| cmontyburns Citizen Username: Cmontyburns Post Number: 1353 Registered: 12-2003  |
Costco sells a stainless steel one that looks very snazzy, and is far bigger than you need, but is only like $35. Does everything, big enough to feed an army. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 9823 Registered: 1-2003 |
Believe it or not, I'm glad you mentioned that. I might just buy it. Man, I love you, Pony. And I love Costco. | ||
| Meandtheboys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 1728 Registered: 12-2004 |
Silly Tom. Why would you buy a new one if you hardly use the one you own now? cmonty, thanks, I'll check that out. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 9824 Registered: 1-2003 |
Cuz. Remember when you started that thread, asking whom you would marry if you weren't already attached, choosing from MOLers we haven't met? Well, I think cmontyburns would be my pick. And one problem with my crockpot is that it's just a little too small. | ||
| shoshannah Citizen Username: Shoshannah Post Number: 1012 Registered: 7-2002 |
Get one that has a timer. To me the whole point of a crock pot is that I can leave the house for hours on end, and I know that it will shut off at the preset time. I also like that my cooking bowl can be removed and used as a serving bowl. And it's diswasher safe. | ||
| Spare_o Supporter Username: Spare_o Post Number: 296 Registered: 9-2003 |
What shoshannah said. Also, when I was thinking of getting a crock pot I read that it's better to get one that has an oval shaped bowl since you can more easily fit pieces of chicken in or a roast. | ||
| beezer Citizen Username: 3girls Post Number: 14 Registered: 3-2004 |
Also, get one with a removeable bowl. This makes for much easier cleaning and also if you're really ahead of the game, you can put your ingredients in it in the fridge overnight then just pop it in in the morning. | ||
| Meandtheboys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 1732 Registered: 12-2004 |
O.K., good, so I want a timer and oval removable bowl that's dishwasher safe. Anything else. | ||
| Hamandeggs Citizen Username: Hamandeggs Post Number: 57 Registered: 8-2005 |
That describes the costco one. I have it and bought one for my sister-in-law recently (she asked for it specifically -- usually we give frivolous gifts). I use it weekly in the winter...chicken, stew, some Indian dishes. A good price and easy to clean. | ||
| CLK Supporter Username: Clkelley Post Number: 1482 Registered: 6-2002  |
As to the timer - think about this first. I have been through several Crock Pots already - unlike Tom, I use mine constantly (even sent him some recipes once, if memory serves - was that you Tom or somebody else?). But the ones with timers crap out more quickly than the old-fashioned ones with just a dial for low, med, and high. They have a touchpad that seems to stop functioning over time. I just threw one out with a malfunctioning touchpad. I replaced it with a plan old-fashioned dial. YMMV, of course. And I did like the timer feature. | ||
| Eire Citizen Username: Eire Post Number: 36 Registered: 7-2005 |
I have a smaller one that my aunt used to use - honestly, it's probably at least 15 years old - no removable bowl, timer, etc, but works like a charm. Dying to hear of a GOOD crock pot recipe book - and Tom, your arroz con pollo recipe? Maybe?? | ||
| Melonious Citizen Username: Melonious Post Number: 63 Registered: 6-2003 |
west bend versatility slow cooker http://www.lnt.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1898239&cp=1770190&parentPage=fam ily the pot can go from stove to heating unit, so you can brown your meat and/or carmelize your garlic, onion, etc. before you start slow-cooking. i like the flavor of my dishes more this way, versus dumping it all together into the crock at the same time. it does not have a timer. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 9833 Registered: 1-2003 |
I don't know if I saved my arroz con pollo recipe. I just took a regular recipe off the "intarweb" and ignored the steps. I tossed everything in the pot and went to work. It boiled over while I was gone, showing me that the low setting (out of two) was better. I remember that the recipe called for beer and saffron. Saffron is expensive! I still have some. And I had to find a liquor store. I never buy alcohol. The recipe was very much like this: http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/284/Arroz_Con_Pollo3402.shtml In fact, that could be what I used. I'm glad you asked, youandtheboys, because I have to bring a meal to an infirmed congregant, and now I know what I'm going to make. | ||
| cmontyburns Citizen Username: Cmontyburns Post Number: 1354 Registered: 12-2003 |
The costco one has all the features you're dreaming of. The only drawback is actually the size. It really is big, so it's hard to cook something for, say, two people. (one key of using a crockpot is making sure you put in enough liquid/sauce to cover whatever meat you've got in there) But I think prissy pants has a family to feed, so that's not a problem. When the time comes, I shall share my famous crockpot spiced cider recipe. | ||
| CLK Supporter Username: Clkelley Post Number: 1486 Registered: 6-2002 |
With crockpots, bigger is better (IMHO). My family is small - me, hubby, one girl with a small appetite. But here are the advantages to cooking a lot: 1) Leftovers. Crock-pot type stuff tastes even better on the second day. 2) You can freeze stuff like chili, soup, etc. Just don't put potatoes or pasta in it if you plan to freeze - you can put that stuff in when you re-heat. (potatoes get grainy and pasta gets slimy if you freeze it.) | ||
| Wendyn Supporter Username: Wendyn Post Number: 2222 Registered: 9-2002  |
I recently replaced mine with one that has an oval, removable bowl and a timer. Those features are great. BUT...I got a stainless steel model (not sure if it is the same one from Costco) and the outside gets VERY hot. If I were to do it again I would try to find one without a stainless exterior, even though it looks really cool. Just made applesauce from the ton of apples the girls picked last weekend. If you've never had fresh applesauce you should really try it. Now my kids won't eat the packaged kind. | ||
| CLK Supporter Username: Clkelley Post Number: 1490 Registered: 6-2002 |
Yes, homemade applesauce is the best!!! We just picked two of those baskets full of apples, and applesauce is on the agenda. I get asked for fresh applesauce fairly often - usually I just make a small batch on the stove though. There is no comparison to store-bought, and it is so easy to make. I'm thinking about trying my hand at apple butter this year, too. | ||
| juju's petals Citizen Username: Jujus_petals Post Number: 158 Registered: 5-2003  |
CLK, What's your applesauce receipe? Know of any good links to other crockpot receipes? Meand, I love my crockpot -- it sounds like the one at Costco version with the timer. It is awfully big, but good for feeding the four of us with leftovers. It is harder to store it because of its size, so I've decided to leave it on the counter for now. Good motivation to use it more frequently, too. | ||
| Strings Supporter Username: Blue_eyes Post Number: 658 Registered: 4-2004  |
Thread Title Misread: Which Crack Pot to buy? meand, I thought you lost it! | ||
| Meandtheboys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 1738 Registered: 12-2004 |
Strings, you wouldn't be the first, and probably won't be the last. Not to mention it feels like that to me almost on a daily basis!  Really looking forward to buying my crock pot now, thanks everyone. CLK and Wendyn: recipe for homemade applesauce please? Tom, I just never stop getting a kick out of how you use the appropriate tense of my screen name. | ||
| cmontyburns Citizen Username: Cmontyburns Post Number: 1358 Registered: 12-2003 |
If you're going to Costco anyways: They sell a 2-pack of crockpot cookbooks for $10 or $15. The recipes in them are actually pretty great.... comfort-food type things that make you feel like you're at a church picnic or state fair (not that I've really been to either). I noticed that Williams-Sonoma also sells a book of very fancy crockpot recipes. Though many of them require you to cook various ingredients in advance, which sort of kills the crockpot mood for me. I like the thing because you can dump a bunch of crap in it, go to work, and come home to a meal. | ||
| CLK Supporter Username: Clkelley Post Number: 1491 Registered: 6-2002 |
My applesauce recipe, like most of my recipes, is "seat of the pants." Here it is, roughly: 1) Peel and core desired number of apples. Slice, and put in pot. (either Crock Pot or on stove) 2) Add a little water - let's say, maybe the lower 1/4 of the amount of apples if in the crockpot, maybe 1/3 to 1/2 if in a pot 3) Cook until apples are mushy - maybe 15 minutes on the stove, or on low for a few hours in the Crock Pot 4) Take the apples out and puree with a hand blender (I have one of those stick blenders which I love), or you could use a blender or food processor 5) if needed, add a little bit of the cooking liquid (your goal is to not have much liquid remaining anyway) 6) Add sugar to taste, plus cinnamon or nutmeg or other seasonings. Depending on the variety of apples you use, you might not need to add any sugar. Don't overdo it. Also cinnamon makes the apples taste sweeter, so you'll use less sugar if you also use cinnamon. 7) Return to pot for a few minutes over low heat, stirring frequently, just until sugar is fully incorporated / dissolved | ||
| juju's petals Citizen Username: Jujus_petals Post Number: 159 Registered: 5-2003 |
Ooh, I have a stick blender too! Perfect -- a receipe for which I already have everything. Love it. Thanks! Any thoughts on the best apples for this? We've got a pile of macintoch-like ones, but I think a bigger tougher apple might be tastier. Any suggestions? | ||
| CLK Supporter Username: Clkelley Post Number: 1492 Registered: 6-2002 |
Any soup recipe usually works great in a Crock Pot. My favorite goes something like this. 1) Chop an onion and some garlic, maybe some celery and saute in a little oil. (this step can be ommitted if you are in a hurry.) If you're using meat, e.g. stewing beef, or chicken pieces, brown in the pan with the onions. 2) Add to the pot together with a 28 oz. can of tomatoes. Break up the tomatoes with a fork. 3) Fill up the tomato can with water and add to the pot. Do this twice. Add a vegetable bouillon cube to the pot. Also a couple of bay leaves, and other herbs if you like (I like oregano in this recipe, but you could use others). 4) Add carrots, turnips, potatoes (if you don't plan to freeze), green beans, peas, or any other non-delicate vegetables you have on hand. 5) Add a can or two of beans (rinsed). E.g. navy beans, kidneys - not black beans for this recipe as they make it look funny. (I make black bean soup too though - just a different recipe.) 6) Cook on low all day or high for 4 hours. 7) At this step, add any greens (beet greens are my favorite, but kale or spinach is nice too) or delicate vegetables (e.g. zucchini, asparagus). Turn crock pot to high and cook another 30 or 60 minutes, until the vegetables are all cooked through. 8) Adjust seasoning, and serve with parmesan cheese. This makes a really tasty stew-like soup. Very hearty and satisfying, and if you don't put potatoes in it freezes well. | ||
| User58 Citizen Username: User58 Post Number: 306 Registered: 8-2004 |
I bought mine several years ago at costco...with a timer and use it all the time. I have never had a problem with it and if you keep the reciept costco takes anything back any time no time limit. So if it craps out just bring it back to them. | ||
| CLK Supporter Username: Clkelley Post Number: 1493 Registered: 6-2002 |
juju, answering your question from earlier on which I missed - I think any kind of apple works fine, and I've made sauce from macs before. I tend to like tart baking apples the best though, such as granny smith. I think it's a matter of personal taste. I wouldn't necessarily agree with big & tough though. If it's tough it's usually tasteless, and you want tasty apples to make good applesauce. IMHO. | ||
| Wendyn Supporter Username: Wendyn Post Number: 2226 Registered: 9-2002 |
For my applesauce I just found a recipie on the web (search crockpot applesauce). I used 10 of whatever apples the girls brought home (Fuji maybe?), about 1/4 cup of water, about 1/4 cup of brown sugar (I like it sweet), and about 1tsp cinn, you can also add lemon juice if you don't want it as brown. Crockpot on high for maybe 3 hours, dump into food processor and puree. Yum. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 9844 Registered: 1-2003 |
I plan to bring a meal to a family in my congregation on Saturday. Their young son is just getting home from a several-week stay in the hospital. I decided to make arroz con pollo. So it occurred to me to cook enough for them and for our family. So I don't have a crock pot big enough. Do you think it would work if I pretended our giant basting pot -- or whatever it's called -- as if it's a crock pot? I could toss everything in and leave it in the oven at 170F for a few hours. The pot is the type you cook a turkey or chicken in, and it takes up most of the oven's space. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 5482 Registered: 5-2001  |
Tom - TS does that sort of slow-cook thing in the oven all the time. Works out nicely. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 9854 Registered: 1-2003 |
Excellent. I can hardly wait to try it. Maybe I'll set it to cook overnight. The thing about arroz con pollo is the way the chicken fat flavors the rice. I love it. And I'm using chicken with the skin still on. With apologies to those who have to watch their cholesterol, I think the skin is the best part and nearly indispensible. | ||
| User58 Citizen Username: User58 Post Number: 312 Registered: 8-2004 |
what is the recipe???? Sounds great | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 9858 Registered: 1-2003 |
I gave it above, though that recipe calls for skinless chicken. http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/284/Arroz_Con_Pollo3402.shtml | ||
| Eire Citizen Username: Eire Post Number: 38 Registered: 7-2005 |
thanks all -- here's an eaaaaasy recipe for chicken cacciatore I do in the crock pot: cut up pieces of chicken ,I do boneless, skinless, but I know lots of others like it with skin and bones - the problem is, after it's cooked, it's SO "falling off the bone," it's difficult to manage in my opinion (what's the solution to that, by the way??) Sauce (I use Barilla in the jar - whatever - I'm Irish!) cut up some green pepper and mushroom I literally turn it on low when I leave for work, and that's that!! | ||
| Amie Brockway-Metcalf Citizen Username: Amie Post Number: 413 Registered: 6-2004 |
The only thing we use our crock pot for is ribs. They are AMAZING. Cut up some pork ribs, the cheap stuff is fine. Brown them in a hot frying pan. Put them in the crock pot and cover with BBQ sauce, whatever you like. Cook on low for six hours. Fire up the grill and finish them on the fire, just for a little char. Mmm. (I've made BBQ sauce and decided that it's one of those things better bought than homemade. We like Stubb's, which is expensive, but have also gotten excellent results with the giant tubs from Costco by Kraft or whoever after a little doctoring with spices.) Come to think of it, we also have used it as a chafing dish for chili and soup for a party. | ||
| sac Supporter Username: Sac Post Number: 2647 Registered: 5-2001 |
Bigger isn't necessarily better. Crock pots cook best when they are fairly full and many warn you not to use them when less than half full, so be sure that the capacity matches a quantity you can handle. Also, I like to put all the stuff in the (removeable) pot the night before and keep it in the fridge overnight and then pop it into the base to cook the next day. If the pot is very large, it is difficult to do this. I actually own two crockpots because the first one we got was bigger than we were able to use on a normal basis. I use it every now and then, but the smaller one gets used quite often and is enough for a family of four plus another meal for all or some of us from the leftovers. That is about as much leftovers as my family tolerates, so it works well for us. The big one only gets pulled out for the occasional large cut of meat or when we are feeding a bigger crowd. | ||
| shoshannah Citizen Username: Shoshannah Post Number: 1013 Registered: 7-2002 |
Ya know, there is a crockpot cookbook author who lives in Maplewood. When I started a similar thread a couple of years ago the author chimed in with his advice. I wish I could remember his name. Guess it's time to dig into the archives. | ||
| Meandtheboys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 1744 Registered: 12-2004 |
sac, could you be a bit more specific? How big is the one that's too big? What size is the smaller one you use often? What brand is it, and do you like it enough to recommend it? We don't eat much meat here, so I won't need one that fits a roast, and I do want one that's small enough to do as you and other's have suggested, which is to get it ready the night before and keep it in the fridge. | ||
| Eats Shoots & Leaves Citizen Username: Mfpark Post Number: 2386 Registered: 9-2001  |
You know, I absolutely love all you folks on MOL. Who ever would have thought I could learn so much practical things about crock pots? An incredible amount of insightful thinking about something that, to now, I have only passingly paid attention to. Now I have to go out and get one (or perhaps two, one large and one small). Thanks! |
