Better classic "Crock Pots" today?

[Sid Post]

I am looking for a good crock pot that isn't super expensive and is a modest capacity of ~4qts.

 

I have tried various random versions found at the common big box stores and found most of them let beans cook dry due to no moisture sealing or simply scorched things like Pinto beans or stew due to very uneven heating.

 

I guess these have been superseded by other cookers today but, the simplicity of putting some ham and beans on a slow cooker while out for the day is nice!

 

What is good today and where are the better places to find them?

 

TIA,

Sid

[Laurentius]

https://www.nesco.com/product-category/cooking/slow-cookers/

[rotuts]

iPot Ultra 

 

pick you size  

 

hopefully on sale .

 

adjustable slow cooking temp.

 

and lots and lots of other things , if you don't already have a iPot.

 

you can use the regular lid  w the Ultra 

 

or get the glass ( add on ) lid.

[Smithy]

44 minutes ago, Laurentius said:

https://www.nesco.com/product-category/cooking/slow-cookers/

 

Those are good prices, with quite a variety of colors and styles. I'm amused that only the largest (8 quart) size comes in camo. I suspect it's because of hunting shack parties! 🙂

 

The 4-quart size is about what @Sid Post is looking for. However, it still doesn't have a programmable temperature beyond the 4 settings of low, medium, high, and warm. This is why I, like @rotuts think the Instant Pot Ultra is more advantageous. I like being able to specify a temperature and have it hold there for hours.

 

Hmm. I've been looking around, and don't actually see the Ultra for sale any more. Instant Pot has a broad variety of multicookers available, and I'm disinclined to dig through to see which ones now have programmable temperatures. This IP slow cooker caught my eye, though: built more like the classic slow cookers, with a removable crock. It won't act as a pressure cooker, but it does have programmable temperatures. IP Superior Cooker Slow Cooker. The IP Pro 10-in-1 Multicooker (eG-friendly Amazon.com link) looks like it might have programmable temperatures. I'm glad I have the Ultra and don't have to worry about it!

[Laurentius]

33 minutes ago, Smithy said:

it still doesn't have a programmable temperature beyond the 4 settings of low, medium, high, and warm.

 

Huh.  Then you all should check out the roasters, which have more settings, from 200-450.  My Nesco 4Q roaster has the old bayonet-style thermostat, with a continuously adjustable range of 200-400F.  It can be used as a slow cooker at the low end.

[weinoo]

14 minutes ago, Laurentius said:

Huh.  Then you all should check out the roasters, which have more settings, from 200-450.  My Nesco 4Q roaster has the old bayonet-style thermostat, with a continuously adjustable range of 200-400F.  It can be used as a slow cooker at the low end.

 

Doesn't appear as if there is a 4 quart roaster.

[Laurentius]

17 minutes ago, weinoo said:

Doesn't appear as if there is a 4 quart roaster.

 

I have one.  But yeah, 6Q seems to be the smallest made now.

[Sid Post]

1 hour ago, Smithy said:

The 4-quart size is about what @Sid Post is looking for. However, it still doesn't have a programmable temperature beyond the 4 settings of low, medium, high, and warm.

 

This IP slow cooker caught my eye, though: built more like the classic slow cookers, with a removable crock. It won't act as a pressure cooker, but it does have programmable temperatures. IP Superior Cooker Slow Cooker.

 

Nancy, aka "Smithy", nailed it as an enabler!  🤣

 

That 4qt version seems to offer a temperature range selector in addition to the other settings but, the Nesco website is lacking a lot of detail and some decent pictures.

 

While the Insta-Pot Superior Cooker is rather large for me at 7.5qt, it sure does look good.  It also seems rather flexible for varied usage.

[rotuts]

the temperatures you might and should want in a slow cooker

 

are those less that the standard 195 F 

 

' low' on the inexpensive SC'ers are not that low.

[Sid Post]

The Digital Nesco 4qt version has a 'high" setting with two timer options and the other dial is a "low" setting with two timer settings.  It was slightly more expensive than the non-digital version but, the timer function seemed worthwhile.

 

Thanks again Smithy/Nancy!  Super helpful as usual.  🥰

[Sid Post]

18 hours ago, rotuts said:

the temperatures you might and should want in a slow cooker

 

are those less that the standard 195 F 

 

' low' on the inexpensive SC'ers are not that low.

 

I want a low simmer and a high simmer, no boiling.  Lentils seem work better for me on a low simmer while out and about so they don't overcook and turn to mush or simply disappear in the water and I don't want to "drink" my lentils!  😉

 

A little below boiling works better for my Pinto beans as they seem a lot more tolerant of being left on the Crock Pot a bit longer than optimal and it will reduce cooking time.

 

I have used Pressure Cookers in the past for a 'fast' bean cook but, cleaning the safety features and pan in general is a bit tedious and something I prefer to avoid with a little planning before I leave the house.  And, a good crock pot has a bit of nostalgia for me with memories of my deceased mother using one a lot during Winter for dinners after grade school.  🥰

Edited Friday at 03:00 PM by Sid Post (log)

[JoNorvelleWalker]

I have a crock pot, a real crock pot.  In my experience and from what I've read crock pot temperatures are higher than optimal, probably to protect companies from being sued for wrongful death.

 

At one point I had the idea to buy a stepdown transformer but that would be about $100, and would work only on old crock pots like mine, not the new fancy electronic ones.  Besides, I can put a pot on my Paragon induction unit and simmer at a controlled temperature as low as I would ever want.