Slow cookers or crock pots . . . what you need to know.
May 02 '01 (Updated Jun 05 '01)
The Bottom Line Very easy care. Great item to have.
If I could only pick one cooker extra, the slow cooker would be the one. I have had several kinds and sizes of slow cookers, and I have loved them all (some more than others).
The basic types (very basic)
You can get the kind that have a griddle and then a cook pot that sits on top which does double duty and does not get cooking smells in the house (great if you cook cabbage and such). These are usually teflon coated and need more care. You need to use soft spoons like plastic and not metal on them.
Then you have the crock lift out that doubles as a deep fryer. These look like a classic crock pot cooker, but you can take the crock out and go to high temp and use it as a deep fryer. This means some heavy duty cleaning to shift back to crock pot cooking. You have to make sure all the grease is out before you put the crock back in the pot holder that was used to fry.
There are traditional slow cookers that you just use for slow cooking all day. Some are all-in-one and then some have a lift out crock with a cook shell that is separate.
What I suggest . . .
I would suggest that you go with a traditional slow cooker. And I would suggest the slightly more expensive type with the lift out crock. The models that do other things may sound attractive, but it's more trouble for clean up than it is worth to use the pot for things like frying. Imagine trying to dig down in the pot to get the grease out of the cracks.
If you go with the all-in-one (not so common now) but less expensive, then you have to try to clean the slow cooker and not get the plug area wet. This involves some major tilting and scrubbing inside. This is doable but not fun.
The lift out kind, you just wipe off the shell part which heats. You can do this with a damp cloth (wash rag) Then you can dunk the crock pot part which holds the food. The top which can be plastic or glass, you just hand wash or dish washer wash.
So you got the traditional which I suggested . . .
With the traditional crock pot with a lift out pot, you can expect to use this for years and years.
You have the base unit which has the heater. A plug of course which goes in the wall. Then you have the lift out crock. The top fits on and glass holds up better (but it can break so be careful).
Cook your food (there are loads of great recipes for the crock pot on line). Let the unit cool down some. Then get the food out that is left (if any).
Wipe off the unit. Don't put a lot of water on the unit as it has electrical stuff inside that you don't want to get wet. The outside should not be very dirty anyway, as the food stuff is in the pot.
Rinse out the crock when it is still warm. Most of the food stuff should come out. Then scrub good with elbow grease.
Wash the lid or run through dish washer.
Put the plug cord in the pot and turn the top upside down to store. Upside down is less likely to get bumped and maybe break the lid or crock.
With just minor care, the crock pot will last for years and years. My mom had hers about 20 yrs before my uncle dropped a baby crib on the crock and cracked it. Mine has been going strong for 10 yrs though I have added the mini crock (for dips) and the big crock for parties.
These are really very low maintenance (at least the crock style with the lift out). You get great food, very tender, and ready when you get in from work. Clean up is easy. I can't imagine NOT having a slow cooker/crock pot.
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CyndiA
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Member: Cyndi
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