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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: April 14 2008 at 9:49am | IP Logged
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I broke our crockpot last fall and went all winter without one because I can't decide what to get.
A lot of the bigger ones readily available are also the ones with fancy features I doubt I'll use and cost a lot. I don't mind paying for an appliance if the features will help me and its high quality and will last for years, but for a crockpot? Idk.
However, I also like cooking whole chickens, making broth, doubling recipes, etc...; so, the bigger capacity appeals to me. We are only four people now, but will be five soon, and in the next few years, who knows.
So, what size crock pot do you like?
What shape (the oval seems most versatile to me)?
What brand?
Do you love your special features?
What seems a reasonable price for one?
Any other thoughts that could help a very indecisive pregnant woman who just needs a crockpot but is afraid to buy the wrong one?
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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Mary Chris
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| Posted: April 14 2008 at 11:03am | IP Logged
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I have an older model, I'm not sure what it it, but I'll check later. It does not have any special features, just low and high. Mine is oval, I like that shape. I also have a smaller round on I don't use very often.
My favorite thing to cook is French Dip.
I get a rump roast from Costco, dump that along with two cans of Progresso French Onion soup, beef broth, couple shakes of worchestshire and a can/bottle of beer if I have it. Then I cook it all day.
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Blessings, Mary Chris Beardsley
mom to MacKenzie3/95, Carter 12/97 Ronan 3/00 and wife to Jim since 1/92
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Matilda
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| Posted: April 14 2008 at 12:44pm | IP Logged
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My wonderful husband bought me a new one for Christmas 2 years ago that had the lid that was hinged like this one. He thought it was such a good idea, but in practice, that hinge has caused more frustration that it is worth. If it isn't set just right, the lid won't sit right and too much heat and moisture escapes.
I do love the shape of it (oval) because you can set a whole chicken in it without squeezing it in. My SIL has a round one that works better for her because she uses it for soups a lot. You might want to consider what you will be cooking most.
One word of caution... I use to have the kind that had a stainless steel finish on the outside and it would get so hot that I was worried my kids would touch it and burn themselves. I called the company and they said that that one must have had a faulty heating mechanism because it wasn't supposed to get that hot on the outside but I heard from others that theirs did the same thing.
Hope that helps.
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Charlotte (Matilda)
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with bookend boys and a double girl sandwich
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guitarnan
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| Posted: April 14 2008 at 1:07pm | IP Logged
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If you live near a thrift store, you can probably find a crock pot there for a good price.
I have two (so far!); my old one is 23 years old and I use it at least once a week. I have the larger oval kind, but I don't use it as often; I do cook company meals in it, though. (There are only 4 of us.) Both of the crock pots are Rival brand.
The one and only feature I would definitely want to have would be a removable insert, like my oval one has. Washing the old crock pot is a pain. (It helps to spray the sides with cooking spray, though.)
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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chicken lady
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| Posted: April 14 2008 at 2:42pm | IP Logged
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Aldis had big ones for 40.00 not long ago. I picked one up, just low and high settings, super simple, I use it approx. 4x a week.
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Paula in MN
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| Posted: April 14 2008 at 4:49pm | IP Logged
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I don't use mine as often as Molly, only 2x week. i have a 7 quart model, oval, and LOVE it.
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Paula
A Catholic Harvest
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chicken lady
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| Posted: April 14 2008 at 5:08pm | IP Logged
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Paula in MN wrote:
| I don't use mine as often as Molly, |
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Ya well, your not as lazy as me  I use it for everything, otherwise it is cold cereal and PB&J for dinner 
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: April 14 2008 at 6:29pm | IP Logged
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We have a 6 qt. oval, which I use all the time. And, a 4 qt. round that I use only as a backup or for really large quantities.
I think you'd be better off with the 6 qt....from what you described. I do lots of the same things with mine...doubling, whole chx, etc. I got it when we were only 4 also.
It has low and high. And, it will turn off after the designated number of hours. I do like this feature, as I can not be home and it will turn off automatically. But, crock pots are low heat anyway, so it's probably not a big deal.
$35-45 is probably a reasonable price.
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Suzanne in ID
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Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
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PDyer
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| Posted: April 14 2008 at 8:17pm | IP Logged
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I bought a new oval crockpot recently. I got a SmartPot, which cooks the food for a predefined interval and then switches itself to "warm". This was very important to me, as during busy season I may feed the kids at 5pm, while my husband eats at 7pm (or later), and this crockpot will keep the food warm, but not overcooked, in the meantime. I also love the fact the crock comes out for washing; my old (15-20 years) crockpot was a pain to clean because it was all one piece. The Smartpot also came with a little crock for dips, etc. I haven't used that part yet.
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: April 15 2008 at 6:44am | IP Logged
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So, even with the large families here, no one has gotten the 7 quart versions? If 6 is enough, that makes it a little easier.
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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Paula in MN
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| Posted: April 15 2008 at 7:25am | IP Logged
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I have the 7 quart size! Mine is from Hamilton Beach and it was only $20 - on sale at the *Men's Mall*.
We don't have a large family, so when I use it we always have leftovers. I like the fact that I only need to make dinner every other day!
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Paula
A Catholic Harvest
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Slow Cooker/Crock Pot Recs
