https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 03 May 2026 07:51:18 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/slow-cooker-recommendations-please#post-2833957 Sat, 14 Jul 2018 07:17:52 +0000 imadreamer 2833957@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@petitenoisette: that looks amazing! We have an older cuisinart slow cooker that I received at my wedding shower 8 years ago. If that ever breaks down, I would look into this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/slow-cooker-recommendations-please#post-2799195 Tue, 23 Jan 2018 15:44:13 +0000 Shantuck 2799195@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've never personally used one but I know some people really like the slow cookers that are wifi enabled. You can can change the settings remotely while at work. For example, if you were cooking something on high and then got held up, you could switch it to low or warming instead. I have an IP and a slow cooker and I'm in the minority but I still prefer my slow cooker. If I were looking into one now, I'd probably look into the Ninja slow cooker. We love the Ninja coffee machine and blender/food processor. Their products seem so well thought out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/slow-cooker-recommendations-please#post-2799188 Tue, 23 Jan 2018 15:19:31 +0000 maddyz 2799188@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I use an insta pot now all the time. I gave away my slow cooker. It's amazing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/slow-cooker-recommendations-please#post-2799133 Tue, 23 Jan 2018 12:31:53 +0000 Mommy Finger 2799133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't like the IP slow cooker function at all but my mom has had some success with it. That being said, I have 2 other slow cookers that I use somewhat regularly when I do my big batch cooking sessions. I would just suggest that you find one that has a timer vs just turning the knob to low or high. This way, it'll turn to warm when it's done. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/slow-cooker-recommendations-please#post-2799069 Tue, 23 Jan 2018 09:46:22 +0000 petitenoisette 2799069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: Yea, I really love my instant pot and if I had to choose between that or a slow cooker I would choose it BUT if you really prefer the slow cooker function I don't find it works as well as my regular slow cooker. </p> <p>We also have this cuisinart slow cooker and I really like that you can saute in it first. I think it's really worth paying for that feature in a slow cooker. <a href="https://www.cuisinart.com/products/slow_cookers_rice_cookers/msc-600.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.cuisinart.com/products/slow_cookers_rice_cookers/msc-600.html</a></p> <p>It's of course much more expensive than a regular slow cooker, we got it as a wedding gift and I doubt I'd shell out the cash for it nowadays. But maybe there is a similar but cheaper option. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/slow-cooker-recommendations-please#post-2799033 Tue, 23 Jan 2018 07:32:06 +0000 erinbaderin 2799033@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was also going to recommend waiting on the Instant Pot - I find I haven’t been happy with the results of the slow cooker function. It’s a good appliance but I haven’t found it to be a replacement for my slow cooker. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/slow-cooker-recommendations-please#post-2799032 Tue, 23 Jan 2018 07:19:32 +0000 looch 2799032@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: I spent over $100, but for sure less than the All Clad.</p> <p>I think I bought it at Bed Bath and Beyond using the 20% off coupon. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/slow-cooker-recommendations-please#post-2799023 Tue, 23 Jan 2018 00:47:09 +0000 agold 2799023@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: This one from WIlliams Sonoma says it can be used on the stove. It's pretty pricey though. Do you recall if you spent this much on yours? </p> <p><a href="https://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/all-clad-deluxe-slow-cooker-with-aluminum-insert/?catalogId=50&#038;sku=8260341&#038;cm_ven=PLA&#038;cm_cat=Google&#038;cm_pla=Electrics%20%3E%20Slow%20Cookers%20%26%20Pressure%20Cookers%20%3E%20Slow%20Cookers&#038;kwid=productads-adid" rel="nofollow">https://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/all-clad-deluxe-slow-cooker-with-aluminum-insert/?catalogId=50&#038;sku=8260341&#038;cm_ven=PLA&#038;cm_cat=Google&#038;cm_pla=Electrics%20%3E%20Slow%20Cookers%20%26%20Pressure%20Cookers%20%3E%20Slow%20Cookers&#038;kwid=productads-adid</a>^225675118204-device^c-plaid^369369474214-sku^8260341-adType^PLA&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiAtJbTBRDkARIsAIA0a5MdzDUUzeBwWsiduVhcJDe0-pldv1RYBE3hv9ExLxw9_2tK6WkzVtcaAqdmEALw_wcB&amp;cm_ite=[[PLA]%20-%20Manu%20Desk/Tab]</p> <p>@SweetCaroline: Thank you for telling me about that brand! Its great to know another more affordable option that I can consider. And thank you for letting me know about the instant pot. I definitely think I will stick to the slow cooker and consider the instant pot later for exactly what you said - meal prep on the weekend. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/slow-cooker-recommendations-please#post-2798988 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 21:30:51 +0000 SweetCaroline 2798988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also have an Instant Pot. For weekday meals, I much prefer my West Bend slow cooker. When I get home from work, I need dinner to be DONE. The Instant Pot is great, but it still takes a significant amount of time to cook from the time I walk in the door till on my plate. If I worked from home it'd be convenient, sure.</p> <p>I use my Instant Pot on the weekend to cook ahead for the week, including hard boiled eggs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/slow-cooker-recommendations-please#post-2798986 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 21:25:19 +0000 SweetCaroline 2798986@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: West Bend makes similar ones like @looch: mentioned, but on the cheaper side. You're definitely sacrificing quality, but my West Bend has been going strong for over 5 years. My mom's has been going strong for 30+ years...she did replace the pan because the non-stick coating started showing significant wear (after 15 years or more!). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/slow-cooker-recommendations-please#post-2798962 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 18:33:51 +0000 looch 2798962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: It's Breville.</p> <p>Yes, I love that feature, that's why I wanted it, so I didn't have to wash a skillet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/slow-cooker-recommendations-please#post-2798949 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 17:28:28 +0000 agold 2798949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: Thanks, I will do that google search. I use my crock pot a lot since I work outside of home and its too hard to get home at 530 or 6 and make a dinner. </p> <p>@looch: I just read about this exact feature this morning! So you have that and like it? There are quite a few recipes I do where I brown the meat first on the stove. That would be pretty darn awesome to not have to wash that skillet in the morning after I assemble everything in the slow cooker. Can you at least tell me what brand you have? The one I was looking at is pretty pricey but I'm still considering it anyhow since I know I will have it for a long time and use it often. </p> <p> @youboots: Thanks for telling me all of this! I don't have tons of flexibility. The one day a week that I do work from home is the day that I make all my "good" recipes since I'm home all day and can do so. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/slow-cooker-recommendations-please#post-2798931 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 16:22:37 +0000 youboots 2798931@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: no it’s not good for a 10 hour cooking time. It’s just too fast. It has a slow cooking function but I’ve never used it.</p> <p>I work from home so I have some flexibility. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/slow-cooker-recommendations-please#post-2798927 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 16:16:19 +0000 looch 2798927@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wanted one where I could use the insert on the stove to brown a cut of meat first, and then just transfer the whole thing into the heating element.</p> <p>I can't find the exact one, but it has a metal insert, as opposed to ceramic. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/slow-cooker-recommendations-please#post-2798920 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 15:59:28 +0000 snowjewelz 2798920@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We LOVE our IP... We were gifted a slow cooker but never even opened it for years but we use our IP constantly. </p> <p>I don't know the details (DH cooks), but if you google Instant Pot vs (whatever you used/are getting) you will get a lot of comparisons! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/slow-cooker-recommendations-please#post-2798919 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 15:57:14 +0000 agold 2798919@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catgirl: Thank you for that info! 4-5 pound meats is all I would need to do on a regular basis. (I like left overs!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/slow-cooker-recommendations-please#post-2798917 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 15:56:22 +0000 agold 2798917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@youboots: Can you leave the meat in all day while you work? And do you have to fill it with liquids? I was kind of thinking it would turn out more like boiled meat. But I don't have any knowledge about instant pots so i'm not sure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/slow-cooker-recommendations-please#post-2798912 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 15:37:20 +0000 Rocker2014 2798912@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have this one, and I'm reasonably happy with it. For the price, it's great!</p> <p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Crock-Pot-6-Quart-Programmable-Stainless-SCCPVL610-S/dp/B004P2NG0K/ref=sr_1_5?s=kitchen&#038;ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1516653403&#038;sr=1-5&#038;keywords=crock+pot" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/Crock-Pot-6-Quart-Programmable-Stainless-SCCPVL610-S/dp/B004P2NG0K/ref=sr_1_5?s=kitchen&#038;ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1516653403&#038;sr=1-5&#038;keywords=crock+pot</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/slow-cooker-recommendations-please#post-2798911 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 15:34:40 +0000 youboots 2798911@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: no but it will cook a brisket cut in half in 90 minuets. It’s an electric pressure cooker. I have not cooked rice in in. Basically it’s a 4x faster slow cooker. Mine is a 6 qt. I think they make an 8 qt. I recently bought the 3 qt. My slow cookers have been collecting dust in the basement. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/slow-cooker-recommendations-please#post-2798910 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 15:33:23 +0000 catgirl 2798910@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: I could easily do a 4-5 lb roast. After that it would be pretty tight. Day to day it's absolutely big enough for our family of 3 and when we have small dinner get togethers. It's only when hosting parties that I wish it were bigger. </p> <p>That said I am super intrigued by the InstantPot, myself. The InstantPot comes in 3, 6, or 8 quart options. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/slow-cooker-recommendations-please#post-2798909 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 15:29:24 +0000 greencraftycello 2798909@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I use my Instantpot ALL THE TIME. It is a lifesaver! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/slow-cooker-recommendations-please#post-2798906 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 15:27:36 +0000 agold 2798906@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catgirl: Thanks! Do you really wish it was a little bigger? How big is your family? I like to do 4-pound roasts or bigger and they were just so big in my old crock pot. So I know I need bigger. I've seen some that are 7 quarts. And I do think I like programmable versions. At least something that tells me the darn thing is on and operating! And yes to feeling cheap looking. I was looking into some more expensive options hoping to get away from that. But darn these things can get expensive!</p> <p> @Mrsbells: Thanks! This looks similar to the one I had. I think I want a light indicator or something that tells me its on. </p> <p>@youboots: I'm actually curious about instant pots! I've never heard of them until I saw them on hellobee. But I see they are sold everywhere. They look small. I don't cook rice and stuff like that. Do you put like a 4 pound brisket in the instant pot and leave it cooking while you are at work? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/slow-cooker-recommendations-please#post-2798904 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 15:20:13 +0000 youboots 2798904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’d look into an instant pot. It’s totally replaced my slow cooker. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/slow-cooker-recommendations-please#post-2798903 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 15:09:10 +0000 catgirl 2798903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have the Hamilton Beach Stay or Go 6-qt, and I think we have had it for 3ish years.</p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2n15s7Z" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/2n15s7Z</a></p> <p>Things I like:<br /> Program, probe, or manual options<br /> Clip tight lid<br /> Lid rest and cord holder - I LOVE the lid rest!</p> <p>Things I don't like:<br /> The front panel feels a little cheap<br /> I wish it were a little bigger but it's fine the majority of the time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/slow-cooker-recommendations-please#post-2798891 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 14:50:28 +0000 Mrsbells 2798891@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: I just bought a 7qt crockpot (classic) from walmart for 24.99 last week. I have only used it once to make chilli but I love it already. The classic only has high, low and warm options.</p> <p><a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/Crock-Pot-7-Quart-Manual-Slow-Cooker-Black-SCV700-B2/40703590?wmlspartner=wlpa&#038;selectedSellerId=0&#038;wl13=1253&#038;adid=22222222227028510891&#038;wl0=&#038;wl1=g&#038;wl2=c&#038;wl3=47976244472&#038;wl4=pla-95955006512&#038;wl5=9028276&#038;wl6=&#038;wl7=&#038;wl8=&#038;wl9=pla&#038;wl10=8175035&#038;wl11=local&#038;wl12=40703590&#038;wl13=1253&#038;veh=sem" rel="nofollow">https://www.walmart.com/ip/Crock-Pot-7-Quart-Manual-Slow-Cooker-Black-SCV700-B2/40703590?wmlspartner=wlpa&#038;selectedSellerId=0&#038;wl13=1253&#038;adid=22222222227028510891&#038;wl0=&#038;wl1=g&#038;wl2=c&#038;wl3=47976244472&#038;wl4=pla-95955006512&#038;wl5=9028276&#038;wl6=&#038;wl7=&#038;wl8=&#038;wl9=pla&#038;wl10=8175035&#038;wl11=local&#038;wl12=40703590&#038;wl13=1253&#038;veh=sem</a> </p> [attach=1326/18/p2z344.450x450.9-45eb-8679-ef7479da321e_1.4881087fd96119b193137b068b14d47a.jpeg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/slow-cooker-recommendations-please#post-2798881 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 14:30:41 +0000 agold 2798881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can any of you recommend your slow cooker? The cheap one I've had since before I was married finally broke last week, mid-day, while I was slow cooking the dinner for that night. Bummer. I want to get a new one - bigger and maybe nicer. Please let me know what you have that you like and what size/brand it is. Thanks! </p>