Most models are fine - I have an ancient one and a more modern one. I prefer one with a glass lid (vice plastic) and some element of programming is nice, but not essential.

I have something close to this: http://www.target.com/p/crock-pot-6-qt-designer-series-smart-pot-programmable-slow-cooker/-/A-13985505#prodSlot=medium_1_32

I'm sure I got it on sale for less.

I have a Wolfgang Puck brand that someone gave me as a gift at least 10 years ago - and it's still going strong.

I love using it on those days that I know we won't be home until after 6:00. Nothing like coming home to dinner already cooked. Agree that pulled pork is among the tastiest and easiest, as well as pork carnitas and soups.

http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-33135-6-Quart-Stainless/dp/B000R8A1OK/ref=sr_1_35?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1386976276&sr=1-35

Love this one. Love how it looks. Love having 2, 4 and 6 quart options (can do a giant batch of soup or a small pot of chocolate fondue). It's not programmable - but that can be solved as others have suggested above.

Anonymous wrote:I have a slightly older model of this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-33967-6-Quart-Programmable/dp/B001AO2PXK

I love it because it can be programmed.

This is the one we have and love. Had a much more expensive Cuisinart one before, and everything seemed to burn. When the insert cracked, it was cheaper to buy the Hamilton Beach than to buy a replacement insert.

As for using an external timer, that probably works OK if you are going to be home within an hour of it turning off, but not much longer, as the food would cool off into the "danger zone" for bacterial growth.

Since we are out of the house for ~10 hours (8 AM to 6 PM) and a lot of things cook on low for 6-7 hours, the external timer would not be something I would find safe for use in our family.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get one that is programmable! I have a super old one (just warm, low and high settings) and a lot of recipes call for 4 or 6 hours of cooking time, which is annoying when I leave the house at 8am and don't come back until after 5pm.

Also, pulled pork BBQ is super easy. Throw in a hunk of pork, 1/2 a bottle of BBQ sauce, and walk away for 8+ hours. Shred it up, serve sauce on the side, put it on a bun with cole slaw and you're set.

I too have one that is not programmable but someone gave me advice about it which has changed my life. Get one of those electronic timers (you know, the type you use when you want to put your lights on timers when you go on vacation?). Use that with your un-programmable crockpot. I LOVE IT. I put it on low and then plug it into the timer, which is set to go off in 8 hours, and then dinner is done and ready when we get home from work and school in the evenings. . . .

Plus, I like the older crokcpots (like this) b/c I find the newer ones are TOO HOT and burn everything I cook in there to a crisp. I don't know how or why they are so darn HOT. It is like cooking something on the surface of the sun.

That's what I do too, got the timer from Ikea.

Anonymous wrote:Get one that is programmable! I have a super old one (just warm, low and high settings) and a lot of recipes call for 4 or 6 hours of cooking time, which is annoying when I leave the house at 8am and don't come back until after 5pm.

Also, pulled pork BBQ is super easy. Throw in a hunk of pork, 1/2 a bottle of BBQ sauce, and walk away for 8+ hours. Shred it up, serve sauce on the side, put it on a bun with cole slaw and you're set.

I too have one that is not programmable but someone gave me advice about it which has changed my life. Get one of those electronic timers (you know, the type you use when you want to put your lights on timers when you go on vacation?). Use that with your un-programmable crockpot. I LOVE IT. I put it on low and then plug it into the timer, which is set to go off in 8 hours, and then dinner is done and ready when we get home from work and school in the evenings. . . .

Plus, I like the older crokcpots (like this) b/c I find the newer ones are TOO HOT and burn everything I cook in there to a crisp. I don't know how or why they are so darn HOT. It is like cooking something on the surface of the sun.

I have a $20 crockpot that has been soldiering on for the past ten years. I have not felt the need for a more expensive one.

I have a simple Hamilton Beach one with the three settings- high, low, warm. It works great and I think I only paid $15 for it a few years ago.

I haven't had any need for a programmable one. If the recipe says high for 4 hours, than I just cook it on low for longer. If it says 8 hours and I won't be home for 9, I haven't noticed any issues with any extra hour here and there.

The Ninja has changed my slow cooking life. You can brown right in the pot and the pot can be transferred directly from the refrigerator so you can prep the night before. Unlike other slow cookers I have owned, this is truly one-pot cooking.

Anonymous wrote:This one is expensive but really great. You can put the insert on the stove to brown meat.

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/all-clad-deluxe-slow-cooker-with-aluminum-insert/?pkey=e%7CSlow%2Bcooker%7C8%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C1&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-Feature_Recipe_Rule-_-

I have this one also and I love it. I love that you can brown and slow cook in the same pot. The insert is easy to clean.

This one is expensive but really great. You can put the insert on the stove to brown meat.

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/all-clad-deluxe-slow-cooker-with-aluminum-insert/?pkey=e%7CSlow%2Bcooker%7C8%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C1&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-Feature_Recipe_Rule-_-

Get one that is programmable! I have a super old one (just warm, low and high settings) and a lot of recipes call for 4 or 6 hours of cooking time, which is annoying when I leave the house at 8am and don't come back until after 5pm.

Also, pulled pork BBQ is super easy. Throw in a hunk of pork, 1/2 a bottle of BBQ sauce, and walk away for 8+ hours. Shred it up, serve sauce on the side, put it on a bun with cole slaw and you're set.

I have an older Crock Pot. Older than 10 years. Works fine but the pot is heavy. It goes into the plastic pot. Only 3 settings-Off, 1, 2 and warm.

I have a slightly older model of this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-33967-6-Quart-Programmable/dp/B001AO2PXK

I love it because it can be programmed.

I'm in over my head with trying to make dinners for our family of 4 and work and deal with the kids after work/after school. I've never tried a slow cooker before, but figured it could be perfect for many of these days!

No clue what to buy, though. Which ones do you guys love (or hate?)?