I notice a lot of you use crockpots regularly. I haven't had one in ages, though the last one I bought about 10 years ago didn't make me happy. Can't remember brand but it was an inexpensive one. I thought the temperature settings were too high and made the food boil, plus there was an unpleasant metallic taste sometimes.

Anyone have recommendation for a brand/type that's better quality and solid?

Thanks!

I did have the cheapest of the cheap. It worked fine, did the job. OH however wanted one that was a bit nicer to look at so we got the CrockPot manufactured one:
http://www.crockpot.co.uk/Product.a...d=1469&pid=7753

Works well, and with the addition of a rack it works very well for slow roast meats.

I also have the El Cheapo model. It's held up to 15 years of use and abuse so far. It only has two settings: high and low. It's Rival brand, but I'm not sure that means much. I'm happy with it, although I think if I were buying one today, I'd look that the ones with more bells and whistles (or digital display, timers, and more settings.)

I'd also want one that has a clamp on the lid so it travels better. I'm marrying into a big family where our gatherings tend to be potluck.

(ETA) Hmmm. Maybe I should ask Santa for a new one.

I have an El Cheapo Rival with just the high and low settings. I don't even recall how many years I've had it, seems like forever, but it keeps on working and working.

A couple years ago my kids gave me a new crockpot for Xmas - a Hamilton Beach with digital display, timers, a "warm" setting as well as high and low, but really as far as I'm concerned its only advantage over El Cheapo is that it's bigger. But since I live alone how often do I need bigger? I only ever use it if I'm having the kids over for dinner.

And that has one disadvantage too. During the rainy season here in Florida we get a lot of fast-moving thunderstorms through the area. When they pass through we often get brief power blips. The blip may only last a second or two, but that's enough to TURN OFF the fancy digital model - and if I'm away it means the food is just sitting on the counter no longer being cooked. But the El Cheap Rival just goes with the flow and keeps right on cooking after the power blip passes.

jaywood, thanks for the link! They have a US site also. Looks like some good options, they even have a mini one; and looks like some with stoneware which is what I'd prefer.

Long time ago had a stoneware one that worked so well, was living in Chicago and so nice in the winter to come home after work for beef stew.

I inherited a Rival one from the 70s.




It ain't pretty, but that thing just won't die.