Crock pots are the ultimate bachelor tool. Half an hour prep the night before, drop it in the fridge overnight, then put it on before you leave for work, and you've got dinner waiting when you get home. It's the greatest single benefit of being married, at a fraction the price!
Rondinone, you should get a covered crock -- mine has a nice glass lid so the heat stays inside. Works like a charm. The only thing I'd like better is if it mixed it slowly during the day, like turn everything over once an hour or so.
I agree that chili is just a tomato based stew, though I definitely prefer a little meat (steak is optimal), and it almost has to be pretty spicy. If you don't put fresh chopped chili peppers in your chili, you may be doing something wrong.
Am I the only one who puts celery in my chili?