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Hi!
I am currenting looking to purchase a slower cooker and I really don't know what I should be looking for....we are a family of 5. 6 or 8 quart? From what I've read the pot needs to be full in order for it to cook the way a slower cooker needs to.
What product has/or has not worked for you?
Is it worth my while to order it from Amazon? Not sure what a solid cooker would go for.
Many thanks:excited::icon_santa:
I hope I started this thread in the right section.....:shrug:
I can offer you a review of the one we currently owned. It's a Hamilton Beach 3 in 1. It comes with 3 pastel colored ceramic pots: 2, 4 and 6 quarts. The pot is nice looking and made so you can lift it out of the base and served at the table. What I don't like is that it's a bit clunky to take to pot lucks for work.
here's a pic
Attachment 323475
I think a 6 qt slow cooker would be sufficient for a family of 5. We have a 3 qt and a 6 qt and use the larger one most. I prefer the digital one to the basic model. The digital will switch to a warm mode when the timer has finished.
This may be the time of year to get one too... I know I've seen them at Canadian Tire and Sears on sale. Great for returns if there's an issue.
Six quart is def the size to go with.
I, too, have a Hamilton Beach - pic is like mine
Hamilton Beach Stay or Go Slow Cooker, 6-qt
https://www.hamiltonbeach.com/media/...163-inset6.jpg
(got mine years ago) - didn't want programmable/digital
People borrow it from me all the time - because the lid clamps so it's easy to take places.
Great price at $40 (though the link is me signed in from Saskatoon)
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/hamilton-beach-stay-or-go-slow-cooker-6-qt-0431755p.html
Canadian Tire seems to have them on sale alot. I prefer a store as it is easier to return if there is an issue. Canadian Tire has a 90 day return policy with receipt.
Family of 5 as well. I'm still using the one my mom brought with her when she married into the family 40 years ago. It's a Japanese brand 4 quart with ceramic insert. It's tall with hot spot food sticks to bottom, I wouldn't recommend it. But one thing is for sure. These things last! So don't be afraid to spend a little extra.
As per size, 4 quart is plenty for us. I always get leftovers. Maybe because I never use it as one-pot meal. I usually make chilli, beef burgundy or beef bone soup serve with dinner rolls.
The following one is recommended by America's Test Kitchen, it's nearly $200 here in Canada however.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCz81eCLBOc
If you don't intend to spend so much, there are plenty under $40 that should do all the basic things. My advice is to get the round ones instead of oval. The oval ones tend to heat unevenly.
I have a Hamilton Beach slow cooker. I like it. Mine is digital, cost about $40 new and has a temperature probe. Nothing intensely fancy.
I think 6 qt would be enough for your family of 5. Consider the 8 if you're looking for something that will do dinner and then leftovers to freeze.
Personally if I were looking for one right now, I'd consider a Multi Cooker. They have slow cook functionality but also can sear meats or saute veggies in it before adding the liquid, and do a variety of other tasks. Crock Pot brand makes one.
No problems with my HB with hotspots, heat is totally even.
The BIG bonus is the easy-peasy cleanup - no matter what I've cooked in it, that sucker just washes right out easily. :)
Yea, mine usually washes up nicely too. Though when I was in the US last week, I did by some Reynolds slow cooker liners.
I loved the liners....
Me too, love the liners. They sell them at Dollarama as well.
That's why I was so happy to get them in the US. The local Dollaramas stopped getting them in stock. Plus it was 2 bags for $1 or $2 (can't remember the cost.) I bought two boxes of eight.
This is what my son wants
http://www.thekitchn.com/control-you...-iphone-199069
Not sure I would want a remote controlled one. Since my mother dislikes most electronics, she'd just put the stuff in the pot and then call me to turn it on lol
My 6qt cooker's digital display is losing some of the lcd bars on front. Luckily, it starts at 6 hours and goes in half hour increments.
Our slow cooker is actually 3. We have a 4, 6 and 8 qt ceramic bowl that each fit into the base separately.. I prefer the ones that have the bowl or pot that can be washed separate from the base - you can put it into the fridge after your meal has been made up and before you turn it on the next day for cooking. And way easier to wash the pot!Quote:
Originally Posted by padyofurniture
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
so nice :)
