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Message |
    
shoshannah
Citizen
Username: Shoshannah
Post Number: 294
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Monday, November 10, 2003 - 12:35 pm: | 
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I would like to purchase one, and it seems that now's a good time because the stores have stocked up for the holidays. Does anyone have experience cooking with a crockpot? Which brand would you recommend? Are there certain features I should look for? Thanks. |
jgberkeley
Supporter
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 3292
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, November 10, 2003 - 12:48 pm: |
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Brand? The one I use came from Target about 12 years ago. I don't think brand means much for these units.
Features, I would love a timer function so I can have it on High for a period then have it drop to low. That kind of thing. |
Robin Noda
Citizen
Username: Spare_o
Post Number: 1
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, November 10, 2003 - 12:59 pm: |
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I have been thinking about getting a crock pot as well. I did a little research on epinions.com and learned that it is good idea to buy one with a removable dish. I guess in some models the dish is part of the entire assembly so cleaning it is a pain in the neck since you obviously can't immerse the heating element to clean the dish. Other people felt that an oval shaped dish is better since it will allow you to put in whole chickens and hams inside while a tall round insert won't. Also, one posting indicated that many crock pots have only 2 settings, high and low. They felt that medium is needed for some recipes. I don't know whether this is true or not since I have never had one before. |
bella
Citizen
Username: Bella
Post Number: 394
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Monday, November 10, 2003 - 1:28 pm: |
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The removable dish makes life with a crock pot easier.
No, you don't need a medium setting.
I can see where the oval shape would be better for fitting some things in.
But honestly, I crock pot is great! It was one of my mother's secrets for making sure that we always had a home cooked dinner even though she worked full time. It is essential for corned beef, great for soups and chili. Yummm. I know what I'll be using to cook dinner tomorrow. (My mom had the same one for about 25 years, I think it was a Rival. The only reason she stopped using it was because she finally got one with a removable liner.) |
jgberkeley
Supporter
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 3293
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, November 10, 2003 - 1:48 pm: |
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I guess my 12 years makes me a newby. I did not know that the pots were ever NOT removable.
I guess I just take the fact that I can toss it into the dishwasher for granted.
Good point on the oval shape, though I just kinda squash the chicken in and let her cook. |
sportsnut
Citizen
Username: Sportsnut
Post Number: 694
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Monday, November 10, 2003 - 2:07 pm: |
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I've never made a bad meal that was the fault of the crockpot. I wanted one so badly my wife purchased one for my birthday. We love to cook stews etc in ours. Its a Rival with High/low/8hr/6hr/4hr settings (I think).
Get one. You can pack it in the morning and it will be ready when you get home. |
papayagirl
Citizen
Username: Papayagirl
Post Number: 129
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Monday, November 10, 2003 - 2:15 pm: |
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All of the crockpots i've seen have had removable inserts as well, but i'm not an expert.
An oval shape is probably good for bigger families, but i think there's also such a thing as too big. Often times, meat that's not submerged in the gravy dries out more as it cooks, and a big oval crockpot means you have to make more to ensure even cooking. We have a standard round (4 qt maybe?) and it's been just right for every recipe i've ever found.
I use the low setting 95% of the time, and high maybe 5%. If i'm going to cook something on high, i'd just as soon use my stove. Either way, i can't imagine ever using a medium setting.
One thing mine doesn't have, but i bet they offer, is auto shut-off. Some recipes need to cook for 8 hours, but my work schedule means i won't be home for closer to 10-11. Things still always work out, but an auto shut-off wouldn't be bad. |
Crazyguggenheim
Citizen
Username: Crazyguggenheim
Post Number: 464
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Monday, November 10, 2003 - 3:12 pm: |
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Call me crazy, but I always cook with a crack pot. I also never leave home without a crack pot. In fact, there's a crack pot by my side where ever I may roam. On land or sea or atmospheric pressure. You can always hear me hummin this melody, indicate the way to my abode.
Call me crazy
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Cookbook_rick
Citizen
Username: Cookbook_rick
Post Number: 8
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 1:19 pm: |
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I am the author of The Ready and Waiting Cookbook (Morrow), so I know a little about this subject. You definitely want a pot with a removable insert. The oval shaped one is especially helpful if you think you are going to cook pot roasts, whatever. Rival, the segment leader, really makes the best, most versatile pots. Size? 3 1/2 quarts will be ok for a small family, up to 4, but I think the 5 qt is better because it allows for leftovers.
The biggest caveat about crockpot cooking is NOT believing that all you have to do it toss all of the ingredients in the pot. In my book, I recommend taking a few minutes to brown the meat and saute the vegetables before putting them in the crock. It makes a world of difference! You will also sometimes need to boil down the sauce because so much liquid condenses under the lid. It's no big deal--only a few minutes--and makes the difference between a watery sauce and one with flavor.
There are a lot of cooks out there who only want to put food on the table without effort. Crockpot cookery attracts a lot of those cooks. But with a minimum of effort you can get great food out of your crockpot.
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Wilkanoid
Citizen
Username: Cseleosida
Post Number: 78
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 2:12 pm: |
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Cookbook Rick --
Looked up your cookbook, and it looks GOOD. Have you considered doing cooking classes and demos closer to home (Maplewood/SO)? Wayne is a bit of a drive. You probably don't need anything else to fill your schedule, but ... |
ReallyTrying
Citizen
Username: Reallytrying
Post Number: 177
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 2:20 pm: |
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I just recently received one as a b-day present, and find it's a great help. Only problem is that my family apparently thought that if the 4- or 5-quart one I requested was good, then the 6-quart must be even better. Welll, I don't want to hurt their feelings, but 6 is too big. I agree with papayagirl (above) in her comments. Also, because of its size, the liner - the thing the food cooks in - is so heavy that it's hard to wash. And storage is a problem. Maybe one day, I'll buy myself the sammler oe, and just assuage any hurt feelings by saying (truthfully!) that sometimes we just don't need the big one. |
jcl
Citizen
Username: Jcl
Post Number: 52
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 4:31 pm: |
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After all this talk, I bought a Rival today at Kohl's for $18.99 or so. It was on sale from $29.99. It's a six quart for the 3 of us. Now, I'm wondering after reading the post by ReallyTrying, if I was being greedy (i.e. the bigger the better!) |
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