NWR: Slow cooker recommendations?

littlemushroom

I discovered last night that the stoneware insert of my slow cooker cracked all the way through on its bottom.  Now I need a new one so that I can make the pork roast I purchased before that unhappy discovery.  So I thought I would ask you all for recommendations with your real world experience while I go through reviews for the millions of slow cookers out there.  What brand have you had good success with?  Does anyone have the one with nesting 2, 4 and 6 quart inserts?  Does anyone have one of the really large ones like you see at barbecues with 50 people?

The one that just died was a Hamilton Beach Set n' Forget Programmable 6 quart slow cooker.  I never used any of the cooking features other than the manual settings, though I guess I could with the next one.  I do have to travel with it when it is full, so the clips for the lid are pretty much a must.  

I use it most often for 2-3 pound roasts with veggies (potatoes, carrots, onion), but the 6 quart didn't hold enough so I also do a second batch of just veggies in the oven at the same time.  I also do slightly smaller batches of pulled bbq chicken or just a roast with a slow cooker sauce.  I have a smaller Hamilton Beach 2 or 4 quart slow cooker that I use when making hot dips (not sure on the actual size because my mom gave me her old one) as well.

APDSS22

I just got the Hamilton Beach one for a wedding present. It's pretty much the best one I could find that I could either easily order or get to that had the digital display, clips on the lid and was a little bit bigger than our previous one (I think it was a 4 qt. Crock Pot brand from Target-that broke). The ability to have it set itself to warm when done cooking is a lifesaver.

theartistformerlyknownas

I have a 4qt Rival right now that I've had for a million years. Nothing fancy, just Low, High and Warm, but it does the trick and was big enough for the two of us. Big batches of soup are a challenge though. I also have the Oster electric roaster with the 3 chafing dishes and ADORE that thing. Perfect for cooking the moistest Thanksgiving turkey you've ever seen, and then keeping the gravy and whatnot warm.

I registered for the Crock Pot brand one with the locking clips on the sides after seriously swooning over it when my friends brought it over for our Soup Swap (like a cookie exchange but with soup).

I think all the ones my mom has that are older than the stars are Crock Pot brand.

mysticl

They don't seem to have my favorite any more but I'm sure they have something similar.  Crock pot brand. High/low settings.  Can set the time on it in 30 minute increments.  Automatic switch to warm when it's done cooking.  

RebeccaB88

You can actually buy replacement inserts for slow cookers.  I ordered mine off the CrockPot website. Just have to know what model you have. Way cheaper than buying a whole new unit, as long as the heating unit still works.

littlemushroom

@RebeccaB88  I actually did try to find a replacement insert, but for about $20 more I can just have an entire new slow cooker.  Plus, since I have had it for so long there is no telling how much longer the heating element would last.  Might as well just get a new one now.

@APDSS22 @kimches @mysticl I was definitely already leaning towards HB just because their stuff seems to last so long, plus they seemed to cook evenly.  I definitely need to learn how to set one to switch to warm automatically.  I know my old one was capable of that, I just didn't use it.  I decided to just get the newer model of the one I had before, and actually learn how to use all the nifty features this time.

@lolo883  Thank you for mentioning that Oster Roaster!  I have considered getting one for a long time, and FI and I had decided to put one on our registry and then forgot about it.  I didn't realize they had ones that came with chafing dishes.  I went and found the one you mentioned and added it to our registry last night.  Now I am ridiculously excited and really hope we get it.

southernbelle0915

I have a 5 qt hamilton beach with locking lid. It has been a great slow cooker and I love it. Would definitely buy again. The locking lid is a feature that is a must on all crock pots I buy in the future. The drawback: no digital display.

wandajune6

I have a HB that I bought used at a garage sale in 1999. We use it 2-3x/week in the winter but less in the summer. We just bought a huge HB at Black Friday that we use for family events and we love that as well.

I don't use any of the fancy features, though the locking lid would be nice. I don't care about digital displays either. I do love how my HBs cook evenly and predictably.

My sister bought the super-cute CrockPot French Bull design at Target a few months ago. It's super-cute but she doesn't think it works as well as her old HB.