What Kind of Crockpot Do You Prefer?

I haven't tried the new ones with timers, but I've been using crockpots for years! I would suggest if you aren't sure when you'll be home or you'll be gone at least 10 hours, try a large roast, chicken or pork...or some soup. There are really very few recipes that would be worse if cooked too long. That's the beauty of it! Remember, crockpots are slow heating and not as high as other appliances...that's why you can leave them all day. I've never had a problem with mine. If you need recipes, try www.crockpot.com. Or, I'd be happy to send you (or anyone) some; just email! ____@____.com

Hi Brenda,
I have a Rival programable 5.5 quart Crock Pot. I love it. It has nice features and wasn't too expensive. Got mine on sale at Target for 39.99. But it usually ____@____.com are some more features:
Description: This sassy red number is pretty smart for a slow cooker; your new best friend in the kitchen makes great meals easy on busy days, Programmable automatic slow cooker with digital timer puts the power in your hands, Removable stoneware pot and glass lid are dishwasher safe, No assembly required, 5.5qt. capacity; 9.2Hx16.5Wx12.5D"
I too have 3 teenagers and it has ample room for large recipes.

I recently bought the Smart Pot, and I love it. I'm out of the house for 10 hours a day as well, and it's been a dinner saver.

Just keep in mind that chicken is a quick-cooking meat, so if there's ever a time that you'll be home sooner, those are probably the best days to cook the chicken.

I agree with the other moms - we have the Rival Smart Crock Pot and I love that it switches to warm once it's done. It makes me feel better about being gone longer. I also agree that it's more dangerous to stop heating food and then eat it than it is to keep it on warm for a few extra hours. Most crockpot recipes say "cook for 8 hours" because that's what the crockpot timer options are. Cooking it for 6 or 8 hours, then the rest on warm is not going to hurt it at all.

There are many, many good crockpot recipes on allrecipes.com . Have fun with it!

So you're gone for 10 hours, which is fine b/c there's plenty of crockpot recipes for 10 hours. Is your crockpot old? If it's fairly new, i don't think you should worry. Crockpots were made to sit out and cook for a long period of time. Warm mode is fine as well. If you turn the crockpot on right before you get out using a 10 hour receipe, you are safe.
I would aslo suggest using recipes that have been reviewed. Allrecips.com has tons of them and you can read which ones came out well! Good luck.

I am afraid that I don't know of a crockpot with a timer but have made several recipes (country ribs, crockpot enchiladas, chili, etc.) that all cook at least that long. I never turn it on higher than low and have never had a problem. When I get home, I switch it off immediately and dinner is still hot an hour later. I love crock pot cooking.

I have had cheap crockpots that just were not as good as the one I have know. It is expensive - but worth it. It is the
All-Clad Slow Cooker with Ceramic Insert. It is beautiful and cooks great. There is a programable timer on it also. The cermic insert is pretty enough to sit on your dinner table too. I got mine at William SOnoma. It is about $150. They also have a few crockpot receipe books too. Maybe ask for it for Christmas if you really want a good investment. ALso William SOnoma has a 1 yr return policy. If you are not satisfied just bring it back. Check it out on the website. www.WilliamsSonoma.com

I love our crock pot. It also has a warm mode. I don't see anything wrong with that. It's a Rival Crock Pot and it has four different heat settings. High for 4 hours or 6 hours and Low for 8 hours or 10 hours. Once the time is up, it goes into warm mode. I would make sure you're cooking things on Low, since you're gone for so long. You should be ok then. I've found that things actually taste better the lower I cook them. It seems to make the meat more tender than cooking it on high.

It's actually not safe to take the heat away from food and not put it in the fridge. There's really nothing less safe about leaving it 10 hours than leaving it 4 so I think you just need to put it on low and trust that it won't blow up after more than 4 hours.
Or, on days you want to use it, can you go home for lunch and start it then instead? I get things ready the night before and put it in the fridge, then I just pull it out and put the crock in the heater and turn it on.

Here's a recipe that takes a long time to cook because you start frozen!

Put a frozen pork roast or loin in the pot. Pour one can of apple pie filling and one bottle of BBQ sauce over and around it. Stir it up a little and set it on low.
You can check with a thermometer if you are worried about it being don, but when I start with frozen and put it on high, it's done in 4-6 hours depending on size. It leaves you with leftovers and everything! It's great. Just serve it with noodles or rice.

I have a Rival crockpot. I love it and use it 4-5 days a week. It doesn't have a 'warm' mode... it's either off, on low or on high. You can't really overcook food in the crockpot, at least nothing that I make. Most things I make take 8-10 hours on low... I usually start it around 8am and we eat around 6pm. What do you cook that takes less than 8-10 hours on low? We do mostly meat... a chunk of beef roast or pork roast or a whole chicken. Just put it in, pour about a cup of sauce (salad dressing, terriyaki, soy sauce, BBQ, etc) over it and leave it alone. The meat is literally falling off the bones and very delicious 10 hours later. It's the only way my kids like to eat meat because it pretty much melts in their mouth.