crockpot/slow cookers...recommendations?
 

I've never looked for something online and found SO many horrible reviews...it seems like even the top ones i find get an avg of 2 or maybe 3 starts out of 5 across other sites I've checked.

So, given the propensity to cook around here, I'd love to hear some recommendations and maybe even some recipes from our resident pros.

Re: crockpot/slow cookers...recommendations?
 

Hmm we got like 3 for our wedding, kept two of them, and have had no problems. I didn't know you could eff up a crock pot.

Pulled pork is easy/delicious. Just drop in a pork shoulder or tenderloin in for several hours on low, then add sauce and fork it up. Wife just made this on a whim, and she's not super awesome at improv cooking, and it came out perfect.

Re: crockpot/slow cookers...recommendations?
 

Step 1: www.amazon.com

Step 2: search for "crock pot"

Step 3: Click first result.

Step 4: See that 41 user reviews average 4.5/5

Step 5: Purchase

Re: crockpot/slow cookers...recommendations?
 

FWIW get any 'Crock Pot' branded model with a heavy ceramic inner dish and you should be fine

apply random cut of meat and fave BBQ sauce to unit for multiple (2-3+) hours until meat falls apart, shred meat with 2 forks, serve on toasted rolls, exchange BBQ sauce and toasted rolls for salsa and taco shells to mix it up
[*] bonus for chilled alcoholic beverages and NFL Sunday Ticket

Re: crockpot/slow cookers...recommendations?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Step 1: www.amazon.com

Step 2: search for "crock pot"

Step 3: Click first result.

Step 4: See that 41 user reviews average 4.5/5

Step 5: Purchase

[/ QUOTE ]

that amazon.com is a pretty nifty site, thanks!

Re: crockpot/slow cookers...recommendations?
 

I would recommend looking for a pot with it's own carrying case if you plan on pot-lucking.

Re: crockpot/slow cookers...recommendations?
 

I'll tell you a secret:

Take 2 lbs filet minon, cover it in peanut butter, and add a 2-liter Coke to the slow cooker. Put in seven or eight whole eggs, and cook on low for 5 or 6 hours.

For the last half hour, sprinkle in nutmeg and ginger alternately, a teaspoon at a time.

Add baking powder and green curry powder, turn up to high, and cook for additional 45 minutes.

Break the eggs into the sauce, and serve over white bread.

This will not taste good.

Re: crockpot/slow cookers...recommendations?
 

Rush,

I hope nobody trusts you and does this step-by-step without reading to the end.

Re: crockpot/slow cookers...recommendations?
 

This is simple and my favorite dish. Steak, bacon, onions..
What's not to like?

http://southernfood.about.com/od/fla.../r/bl54c10.htm

Re: crockpot/slow cookers...recommendations?
 

Is there any commercial/professional kitchen on the planet that even has one of these?

Re: crockpot/slow cookers...recommendations?
 

put the lime in the coconut, shake it all up.

Re: crockpot/slow cookers...recommendations?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Is there any commercial/professional kitchen on the planet that even has one of these?

[/ QUOTE ]

We used one to keep crappy gumbo hot at a craphole I used to work at.

Re: crockpot/slow cookers...recommendations?
 

I guess the only upside I can imagine would be if they had some sort of safety feature that made them different than an oven. Otherwise, why wouldn't you just buy a ceramic pot or something you could use?

Re: crockpot/slow cookers...recommendations?
 

I imagine it's cheaper in terms of energy bills to put your crock-pot on low and leave for work for the day, than to leave your oven on at 250 for 8 hours with a crock in it.

Re: crockpot/slow cookers...recommendations?
 

So people are buying crock pots by the thousands to save on their energy bills?

My mom was a big crock pot cooker, and even she only used it once every couple of weeks. Also, that's probably why I really despise crock pots. My gf has been hassling me to get one and I keep telling her no way. I'm not close to impartial on the crock pot issue.

Re: crockpot/slow cookers...recommendations?
 

They are compact, easy to transport and keep food heated for a long period of time. You can't leave your oven on all day while you are out of the house, you can with a crockpot. Also who wants to have the oven on all day during the hot summer months. How do you not see this?

Re: crockpot/slow cookers...recommendations?
 

[ QUOTE ]
You can't leave your oven on all day while you are out of the house, you can with a crockpot.

[/ QUOTE ]
Well, that's why I included the caveat about safety features. If there's some auto-shutoff or something, then a crock pot makes a lot more sense for a home, where the cook is going to be absent, than a real kitchen, where people are always there. But even that doesn't make a ton of sense to my limited electrical knowledge. Why is there a greater danger of an oven electrical short than there is a crock pot electrical short? Is it something to do with the oven heating a bigger space than a crock pot?

Re: crockpot/slow cookers...recommendations?
 

Alot of ovens are gas powered. Obviously there is a risk with everything, but you understand how it just feels more safe to leave something electrical plugged in (alarm clock, fan, vcr, crockpot) as opposed to an oven.

Re: crockpot/slow cookers...recommendations?
 

RDH,

I usually like your posts, but you're being pretty ridiculous here.

Re: crockpot/slow cookers...recommendations?
 

RDH, it basically boils down to the crockpot being more convenient and efficient for what it's doing.

Re: crockpot/slow cookers...recommendations?
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You can't leave your oven on all day while you are out of the house, you can with a crockpot.

[/ QUOTE ]
Well, that's why I included the caveat about safety features. If there's some auto-shutoff or something, then a crock pot makes a lot more sense for a home, where the cook is going to be absent, than a real kitchen, where people are always there. But even that doesn't make a ton of sense to my limited electrical knowledge. Why is there a greater danger of an oven electrical short than there is a crock pot electrical short? Is it something to do with the oven heating a bigger space than a crock pot?

[/ QUOTE ]

do you have a toaster?