Reliable Crock Pot

I have 2 very old crock pots, and a newer one. The old p0ts which are truly 'crock' that you can set on low and leave on all night are the very best. mamat

I have been married 27 years, and until 3 years ago never used a crock pot. I wish I would have gotten one sooner. There are so many to choose from. The one that I have, came with a pot and pan set that I bought at one of the home shows, however if you go to Bed Bath and Beyond they have many to choose from. Depending on what size you want. They also have a great cook book called Fix it and Forget it. You can also go online and compare different brands and prices. Good luck

I've had a RIVAL crockpot that I bought at Walmart a few years ago. It has one knob and three settings...low, high, and warm...oh, and "off" if you consider that a setting.

I found many good crockpot recipes online...here's one:
supercook.com

My family's favorite is when I throw a cheap pork roast in with some red wine (one cup for the pot, one cup for me!) and a package of onion soup mix.

Another one is chicken (whole or parts) with a mixture of apple juice (about two cups), soy sauce (about 1/4 cup or less), and dried chili pepper (like the kind you put on pizza). Mix it all together and pour over the chicken.

Have fun!

D.

Hi There!

Tis the perfect season for crock pot adventures! I have two Rival crockpots, one small non-programmable and one large programmable.

It could be since I started with the non-programmable one (with low and high settings), but find the best way to cook is not bother too much with the programmed settings. I have had much more success using a separate timer (like the kind you use for Xmas lights). I find that shortening the cooking time is better done on the front end so it's always piping hot and ready to eat at dinner time.

Also, check out "A year of Slow Cooking" for lots of inspiration at http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2009/10/slow-cooker-fall-...

Good luck!
Erika

I have a Rival programmable crock pot that I love- it's really easy to use. You just set it for a certain number of hours, and when it's done it switches to warm. I haven't had any problems with it.

One easy and delicious recipe I use is:

1 bag of frozen corn on the bottom
2 frozen chicken breasts
1-2 cans black beans
1 big jar of salsa (hot or medium for good flavor)

cook all day on low (8-9 hours)

towards the end, shred the chicken- it should break up pretty easily

serve in bowls - top with avocado, cilantro, crushed tortilla chips, shredded cheese, chopped onion, etc.

One of our favorites!

Hi, I read in the Bay Area Parent magazine about Stephanie O'dea's new book of recipes for slow cooking. You may be able to check out the article online and it also mentions her blog crockpot365.com where she tried a new crock pot recipe every day for a year. Hope this helps.

Hi!

LOVE my crock! I got a new one last year as I finally wore out the one I got about 1000 years ago. }:) I got the Rival Smart Pot--Target on sale for $40, might still be that price, may have seen it at Costco recently but I can't remember.

Anyway--I cook at least one meal a week in it and can't imagine life without it.

I can't believe no one has mentioned Crock Pot Liners from Reynolds. These things ROCK. You can fit them to either oval or round, throw it in the pot and put your ingredients in it and dinner cooks beautifully with clean less than a nanosecond--simply wad up the liner and toss. You get 3 or 4 for about $3 at Target.

People are sharing recipes so here's my current fav (we're having it Wednesday):

3# pork sirloin roast OR pork country ribs--lean cut.
2 or so cups of salsa
14 oz can corn
2--4 oz cans green chilies
1 chopped onion on bottom of crock

3 tbsp tomato paste

Layer chopped onions on bottom of crock. Put pork on top--frozen is just fine--really. Dump salsa over top. Dump corn over top. Dump chilies over top. Cook on low 8-10 hours.

30 minutes before you're ready to eat--remove pork. Remove 1 1/2 cups of liquid from crock and discard. Add 3 tbsp tomato paste and stir in. Return heat to high. While mixture is heating, use two forks and shred pork. Return to pot and stir in just before it's been 30 minutes--pork should still be at least more than warm. Stir and serve with heated corn tortillas. We added sour cream and you could add cheese, too.

This tastes like carnitas and not only did my husband and two boys rave but the neighborhood kids loved it, too....

OH--and there's a magazine I got at Lowe's last year but which might still be available as it's not a monthly one but a cookbook in magazine form: Taste of Home Casseroles, slow cooker and soups. Be careful, though--only the first 53 are for slow cookers. :)

I love my Rival Smart Pot Crockpot. It has a high, low and warm setting that you can program for times of cooking. My husband got it at Sam's Club a few years ago. Sam's Club usually carries this brand and they get a new modle about every year. I have always had Rival's and haven't had problems. The only reason I needed a new one is because I broke the last one on accident.

As for a crock pot cook book I still have yet to find one. I usually just google recipes on the internet. It's free this way.

Good luck with your search.

I haven't had any problems with my Rival Crock Pot. It isn't really programmable, but it does switch automatically to "warm" after the set amount of cooking time (4 or 6 hours on hot, 8 or 10 hours on low). I LOVE that feature and I wouldn't buy another crock pot without it. I've had it for one year now without any issues.

I'll watch for your responses on cook books. I just look on recipezaar.com for crock pot recipes...

The one thing I hate about crock pots is how they change the texture of meats. I have done meatballs and hams in them. But I prefer to do chilis, stews, and things like that where the texture doesn't change. They work good for holding nacho cheese at a nacho bar!

Hi SB! I have an addiction to my crock pots but its really saved me so many times! I use a Rival Smart Pot with digital programming. Despite all the rumors that yo hear about using digital I prefer it because once the cooking cycle ends it automatically switches to warm so that the food isn't overcooked but ready to serve. I use it all the time and you can cook virtually anything in a slow cooker. There is a blog A Year Of Slow Cooking that has amazing recipes that have been modified to be gluten free if you need that. She has turned all of this into a cook book that I plan on buying. There is also a great slow cooker book called Fix It and Forget It thats pretty good. Once you start cooking this way you will fall in love. Its so nice to come home from work and have a nice hot dinner already ready. It gives you more time to spend with family too. I know a woman that preps a weeks worth of dinner and puts them in big ziplock bags in the fridge. She uses a sharpie marker and writes instructions on the outside and her husband (whow leaves later than her) just dump the food in, adds what she has written and dinner is done! Good luck with whatever cooker you choose. I have heard AMAZING things about slow cookers made by Westbend. They can be used on the stove top or oven too.

Hi S,

I have been crock-potting since I got married (the first time LOL) 20+ years ago and I LOVE it. It is really great for not so premium cuts of meat and it really saves time in the kitchen. I have always prefered the Rival ones but right now I have a Hamilton Beach that I LOVE. It has three removable bowls that are three different sizes so you can use the one that is the right size for what you are cooking (2, 4 or 6 servings) and the bowls are round so they fit in the refrigerator a lot easier than the oblong ones. As for recipies, I have a lot of books but I always find myself going to the internet for recipies. It is easier, faster and you can find so many more for free. Good luck.

I have an Ultrex programmable one that I use pretty regularly and have not had a problem with. It's big and I can make enough for a couple days worth of leftovers.

I also have 2 non-programmable Rivals. One is tiny that's good for cheese dip and such for parties. The other I actually haven't used, but have it just in case. It's the same as the one I grew up with that my mom has which worked great.

The Betty Crocker cookbooks have a section for slow cookers and also have some regular recipes with alternative slow cooker instructions. And someone sent me an email with tons of slow cooker recipes. If you want I can forwar it to you.

S.

I have 2 - both by Rival. They are basic "high or Low" selector switch. I've used them for years. I recently saw 2 crockpots (like mine) at a thrift store in Concord - ARF Thrift Store. If you're not sure it you'll use a crock pot this is a great item to get from a thrift store.

Regarding a crockpot cookbook. I've bought some new ones but my favorite is The Unwatched Pot by Paula Franklin. It's from about 1980 so you could get it from Amazon Marketplace for probably less than $5. There are no pictures but I like the size and the recipes are easy to read and understand. Good-luck!

I love my Rival programmable crock pot!

We use crock pots for cooking and have for years. I have never used anything but Rival crock pots and they have been great. I have 3 of different sizes and use them all. I got my first one more than 30 years ago and I am still using that one. I was given our most recent one about 3 years ago. It has 4 different cooking settings plus a "warm" setting. That is as much "programming" as any of mine have.

The cookbook I have used for years is Sunset's "Crockery Cookbook". I'm not even sure that it is still in print, but you can get it online through Amazon.com or go to Advanced Book Exchange at http://www.abebooks.com/. It is a whole network of used book stores all over the US and other countries.

Good luck.

Hi!
I must say, I love my crockpot. I have a very basic one with three settings- off, low, and high....it's just your basic crock- "crock pot" brand, black with chrome.

I don't have a great book per se, but I did purchase one for a bride and she has raved about it. I am sorry I do not remember what it was called, but I got it at Target for $17. It was pretty thick.
Basically, if you can find something that sounds good, the crock will make it taste just as good. I like to do chile beans or soup and let it just cook either over night or on low all day. My mum used to do a roast with potatoes and carrots and herbs and spices and let it slow cook all day. Not only was dinner ready when every one got home, but the effort was small and the amount of dirty dishes/pots and pans, even smaller!
Hope this helps and good luck!
-E.

I have had my original crock pot 29 years, gave it to my daughter and bought a new one that is programable about 2 years ago, It's fantastic!!! stops cooking so you don't have to be home at the end of the cooking epriod and keeps your food warm without over cooking. Both of mine hve been the Rival brand.
My favorite recipie is cut peices of chicken, boneless/skinless best, 1 jar of green salsa followed by one jar of water and one chopped up onion. Cook 6 hrs on high and you have the best chicken filling for tacos or burritos.

If you want to avoid the programable ones I suggest getting an outlet adapter that you can set. They are normally used for your lights when you go out of town (so that your house is not left blacked out). I plug my crock pot in set the timer accordingly and its done. They are much less expensive to replace than the crock pot so if it goes out no biggy. Good luck

Hi! My husband and I have a Ravetti. It isn't programmable but it's quite reliable! We've had it for ages and haven't been disappointed yet! There is a Low, High and Keep Warm function and it's great! As for recipe books; I don't have any, but I think Rival Brand makes a good one! You should check out the recipe website momsmenuplan.com; You get daily emails with recipes and they do have links to crock pot recipes! Good luck!!

Jen