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!
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!
Cheers,
George