Slow Cooker that isn't a piece of "Crock Pot TM" junk
 

I am on my 3rd Crock Pot and it is falling apart again (plastic lid handle is starting a brittle fracture and the thermostat is going wild too, apparently only giving me "high", even at the "low" and "warm" settings). I may be able to exchange it - again - at Costco, but I am wondering if there is a large volume slow cooker out there that isn't a piece of junk. Maybe something made in the US or in Europe? I would gladly pay 2-3 times what the made in China junk costs if it is a good piece of equipment.

Alternatively, are the old Crock pots from the 70s any better and could I find one used? I'd like at least 6 quarts and an oval shape to fit bigger bone-in roasts off my wild game animals.

Thanks!

George

My folks have a crock pot that is early 80s at the latest.... Ugly as sin but still works like a charm. Just had a big pot of chili from it yesterday in fact!

I've searched but haven't found one. West Bend and Rival were the last hold-outs (I think) to make their slow cookers in the US but those also seem to be made overseas now. We have a Crock-Pot "cook and carry" model that has lasted several years (but is not US made).

For simplicity (when the house is cold) we also use a Lodge enameled cast-iron Dutch oven and put it in the oven. I believe all the Lodge stuff is still made domestically (but haven't verified).

Slow cooking in the oven is an option but only in the winter. I don't want to run the oven and the a/c together. Also, I feel better leaving a slow cooker on the stone counter top unattended than leaving the oven on unattended.

I just checked my receipt and this one only lasted a year. At least it will be likely that Costco will replace it.

G

You can't go wrong with Breville. I use the Oz equivalent to this;

Slow Cooker with EasySear

try a Restaurant Supply? $$$ edit: if you have a RS close to you sometimes they have used one's... older the better. You can get them bigger than home units

i kept getting junk ones as well, found an old one from the 80's and it works like a charm. its 5 shades of brown- ugly like no other but has held up for years!!!

I was having the same problem that you are having with the short life span of crock pots. A friend of mine suggested getting a small nesco cooker instead. I wasn't even aware that they made small ones but they are out there if you look. They have variable heat settings so you aren't limited to the low and high like the crock pot and removable inner and best of all, they are built to last. I use mine at least once a week and it hasn't missed a beat in the past three years.

Thrift store might have an older one, my wife got ours at an estate sale, which is a souped up garage sale if you ask me. Old, American made, but too small for when I make pulled pork.

I used to use a propane grill a lot in the summer when I lived in Texas. Had a burner on the side so I could make omelettes on the deck watching the sun come up over the lake. I will use it here too, but in Texas I would go months without cooking inside the house at all.

I'm sure one from the 70s would be a much better choice (it's sad the junk sold today). That said, I have two Rivals (Crock Pot), one is smaller (5 qts?) with a cheap plastic lid...works OK but I never use it anymore. I've been using my larger Rival (6 qt. oval with a nice heavy glass lid) for probably ten years with no issues...

My next house upgrade will an outdoor kitchen. I hate putting lots of heat into the house in the summer time, which last about 9 months here.

Look at the ceramic liner All-Clad slow cooker. the thing is a beast. Pricey but worth every dollar...

+1 on an old one off eBay or garage sale. The new ones run hotter than the old ones, for bogus food safety reasons.

I use the All-Clad slow cooker with the stainless Dutch oven insert. You can use the insert on the stove to brown your meat then pop it into the slow cooker. Perfect.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1358191692.jpg

This one is similar to the one Moses posted in that you can brown meat on the burner, then place pot onto the base. Also, can cook on the base as per photo.
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A friend gave me one - I've cooked on hers & it's great.
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West Bend 84915 5 Quart Oblong Shaped Slow Cooker w/ Tote | Free Shipping

Thanks for all your input!

Costco took my Crock Pot back and had a Hamilton Beach on sale for $29.99. It is of course made in China too, but at least a shot at a new brand and carries Costco's excellent exchange policy. It also has an aluminum insert with non stick coating like some of the pots you recommended that allows browning int the insert. I wish it was cast iron, but I guess you can't have it all!

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41pcl0HJxKL.jpg

Here a first try. 8h cook time on low - no bubbles of the gravy - so truly slow cooked. The final temp inside the roast was 83 C = perfect!


There is plenty of room for god's creatures - - - right next to the mashed potatoes!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1358401516.jpg

Cheers,

George

Nice Work :)

The All Clad. Had it for about five years now and use it once or twice a week.

We have an All Clad too. Nice piece of kit but teflon coating has just started to flake. Had it about 5 years now.

I use this for large slow cooking:
Shop Nesco 18-Quart Stainless Steel Electric Roaster, 4818-25-20 at CHEFS.

It will go as low as 200f and will even do a 22lb turkey. 20 years of service without a peep.