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Post by buddysmom on Jul 25, 2014 0:59:17 GMT
I bought an oval one (maybe 7 quart?) several years ago, everything cooked way too fast --or faster that the old ones cooked--so I stopped using it.
Now the kids are out of the house, just DH and me so I want to try it again with (I think) a 4 quart one.
Have they figured these things out yet that they are supposed to be a "slow" cooker, like 6-8 hours or so?
Any brands/models that you recommend? I'll check out Amazon also but the Peas know everything 
Thanks!
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Post by melonhead on Jul 25, 2014 1:17:30 GMT
I have a white Farberware cooker that is as slow as the original brown one that I got in the 70s. Its high temp is the same as the low temp on my "new" Rival crockpot.
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Post by AN on Jul 25, 2014 1:22:36 GMT
I have this Calphalon 7-quart (large) and it does well on the low setting. It also has an auto setting to cook for 2 hours on high and then drop to low for the remainder of the time, and it will switch to warm (about 170 degrees) after the time is done no matter what setting you use. The user manual had specific temperatures that it cooks at at each level. I am really happy with it, and I've used it for stuff anywhere from 3 hours to 12 hours. It was a wedding gift, but if something happened to it, I would rebuy the same one in a heartbeat, even at the somewhat high price for a crockpot. I use it at least twice a week and it is just very consistent, doesn't have to be totally full to cook well, etc. I love the larger size. It is just DH and I, but I always make extra for DH to take for lunch. The 4 quart wouldn't even hold some of my favorite soup recipes (would have to use half cans of stuff and such to cut the recipe, although you could always just bag up and freeze the other half and have another crockpot meal ready to go!). I believe they make a 4 quart model too though. |
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Apr 25, 2024 20:02:13 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2014 1:24:11 GMT
I would love to find one, but so far, no luck. I will be watching this thread with interest.
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Post by AN on Jul 25, 2014 1:26:46 GMT
Here's the 4 qt Calphalon slow cooker - no auto mode but otherwise looks the same. I have to imagine the temperature settings are the same. |
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Post by eebud on Jul 25, 2014 2:11:19 GMT
I have a Hamilton Beach that I really like. I was looking for a duplicate recently and couldn't find the same one though. The Crock-Pot brand is the one I had terrible luck with them cooking WAY too hot.........it would get to a rolling boil on low. I threw mine away and bought the Hamilton Beach. The Calphalon one posted looks awesome too and I would consider it next time. Bed, Bath & Beyond has it for about the same price as Amazon but you can use a 20% off coupon. I checked one of their coupons for the exclusions and Calphalon is not listed so I assume you can use it.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2014 2:39:16 GMT
I once read, after being so confused by how fast my new "slow cooker" was cooking, that you really need to size your slow cooker to what you are cooking. Meaning, we often use an over-sized slow cooker for what we're cooking. Sure enough, I bought a smaller one and found it cooked things slower. Then I tried the reverse, really filled up the larger one with a bigger volume recipe. Same results, it seemed to handle it far better.
Now my problem is that I can't find recipes that I like or the rest of the family likes. I really dislike using recipes that inevitably include "can of cream of ++++ soup".
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Post by LilyRose on Jul 25, 2014 3:35:21 GMT
I second the suggestion of filling the crockpot pretty full, this solves the overcooking problem. I bought one that has interchangeable pots of different sizes. I'm too lazy to go downstairs and check the brand. There were some good threads on the old board for this topic.
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Post by Crack-a-lackin on Jul 25, 2014 3:36:33 GMT
I have that 4qt Calphalon and it's fantastic. Works great, easy to clean since it's smaller. I love it so much I'm planning to get another one.
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Post by airforcemomof1 on Jul 25, 2014 10:53:58 GMT
I have a Hamilton Beach that has 3 different sizes of crocks. I think that is one reason it works so well. You use the size crock according to how much food you have. I don't know if it is still available.
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Post by Scrapbrat on Jul 25, 2014 11:09:32 GMT
I also have a Hamilton Beach one that I just love, it's called a Stay and Go, I think (because you can latch the lid on to transport it). I think it's a 6 qt. but they do come in different sizes. The low setting is perfect for all day cooking, and it does have a warm setting also. I would buy this thing again in a heartbeat.
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Post by ljs1691 on Jul 25, 2014 12:54:19 GMT
I have no suggestions for brands because I am not a big crock pot user. And now I know why....I have just been enlightened as to why my food always overcooks or cooks way too fast. I am SO glad I read this thread. I thought it was just me. Going to follow this one now, I apparently need a much smaller crock pot.
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Post by eebud on Jul 25, 2014 12:59:19 GMT
The Crock Pot brand that I had would get to a rolling boil on low no matter how full it was. I would try to cook a large roast with liquid that covered the roast and it was still a rolling boil on low. The pot would be filled about an inch, maybe 1.5 inches from the top. That is WAY too hot. I was never able to put anything in that crockpot and leave it for the day.
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Post by AN on Jul 25, 2014 13:04:25 GMT
I don't fill my Calphalon most of the time and I don't have issues with overcooking. A normal meal for me to cook in there would be a 2 - 3 lb cut of meat plus 2 - 3 cups of liquid (although one recipe I use no liquid, just a 2 lb turkey breast), and it does fine.
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