Tribe.net. Local Connections Girl http://crockpotcooking.tribe.net/thread/a5160aa1-640e-42bd-8d57-3a95dfac067a#4ca76bbd-3b37-4028-bfc1-b0163b9d387e 2009-01-14T04:04:57Z 2009-01-14T04:04:57Z

well that probe sure is a nice touch....not sure about for crocking, but just in general!

Girl 2009-01-14T04:04:57Z Padrinho http://crockpotcooking.tribe.net/thread/a5160aa1-640e-42bd-8d57-3a95dfac067a#1d5c3180-6b7b-4887-b1d9-f3f584af3f64 2009-01-06T15:15:55Z 2009-01-06T15:15:55Z

Me too, I'm always wary of touch pads on anything. I like nice easy to spin dials.

Padrinho 2009-01-06T15:15:55Z Mark http://crockpotcooking.tribe.net/thread/a5160aa1-640e-42bd-8d57-3a95dfac067a#21f70683-49ea-49bc-9023-052fd380feb7 2009-01-06T07:01:50Z 2009-01-06T07:01:50Z

I've heard that they (Hamilton Beach) have had some problems with their touch pads. I hope you have good luck with yours.

Mark 2009-01-06T07:01:50Z Padrinho http://crockpotcooking.tribe.net/thread/a5160aa1-640e-42bd-8d57-3a95dfac067a#0239ccbd-269d-4431-8b15-a449852df4fd 2008-12-29T19:40:29Z 2008-12-29T19:40:29Z

I'm glad I waited. The wife bought me this one: http://www.hamiltonbeach.com/programmable-slow-cookers-set-n-forget-5-qt-programmable-slow-cooker.html I don't think I'll use 1/2 of the gadgets is has, but so far so good! I've used it three times and it's great.

Padrinho 2008-12-29T19:40:29Z Survivor http://crockpotcooking.tribe.net/thread/a5160aa1-640e-42bd-8d57-3a95dfac067a#ec77e6f0-cf5b-400d-a635-d68eca1b93d5 2008-12-21T20:52:06Z 2008-12-21T20:52:06Z

It seems that Rival is the most common brand for crock pots, so that's all I really have experience with. The one I have is big enough to feed a whole block! I have a teenage son who can eat as much as a whole block, so it works out well. ; ) No locking lid, but at least it does have a heavy, ceramic inner-pot that removes easily for carrying. I've also found that heavy rubberbands can work sort of like a locking lid. The owner's manual claims that the inner pot is easy to clean and that is so true! Nothing ever seems to stick, it all just vanishes with a little water. (I do still wash it in hot, soapy water, of course.) If you're looking for a small pot, the one thing to be careful to check is whether or not the ceramic inner pot is removable. Some aren't. Since my son-of-huge-appetite will be going off to college next year, I definitely need to get a smaller crock! Like others here, I don't go so much by brand as I do by what features the crock has compared to what I'm looking for. I have to admit that one of my priorities this time is color. I've been hoping for a red one. Target carries a beau-ti-ful red crock, with all the features I want, including a warm setting. I have a funny feeling I just may find that crock pot under the tree this year!

Survivor 2008-12-21T20:52:06Z Padrinho http://crockpotcooking.tribe.net/thread/a5160aa1-640e-42bd-8d57-3a95dfac067a#a11c96a5-04be-4c00-8ada-199ef3be4064 2008-12-15T13:41:46Z 2008-12-15T13:41:46Z

I was at Target yesterday and saw the Hamilton Beach locking one. Does anyone have one of those and like it?

Padrinho 2008-12-15T13:41:46Z Mark http://crockpotcooking.tribe.net/thread/a5160aa1-640e-42bd-8d57-3a95dfac067a#5fdedca9-9a3f-4ae2-afdc-8558c31e8fdf 2008-12-13T06:45:19Z 2008-12-13T06:45:19Z

The only locking lid crock I know of is made by Hamilton Beach...

Mark 2008-12-13T06:45:19Z Tri http://crockpotcooking.tribe.net/thread/a5160aa1-640e-42bd-8d57-3a95dfac067a#b3776a4f-1ac1-4fe6-ae41-90612ca1fc47 2008-12-12T22:15:40Z 2008-12-12T22:15:40Z

I've got 2 rival brand crocks (3 qt and 6 qt) and both work great. Removable insert (sadly no locking lid) and both have warm, low and high settings.

Tri 2008-12-12T22:15:40Z Mary Beth http://crockpotcooking.tribe.net/thread/a5160aa1-640e-42bd-8d57-3a95dfac067a#ffa02665-c8e9-47bd-af87-6948f05cf898 2008-12-12T19:43:27Z 2008-12-12T19:43:27Z

It might be a good idea to go read reviews on Amazon, even if you are not going to buy it there, people give a lot of feedback about what they like or don't like, and it can help you make an informed decision.

Mary Beth 2008-12-12T19:43:27Z Padrinho http://crockpotcooking.tribe.net/thread/a5160aa1-640e-42bd-8d57-3a95dfac067a#a871d39d-9463-4dcf-a5e7-dd5c66d7c20e 2008-12-12T19:30:30Z 2008-12-12T19:30:30Z

The locking lid thing is a fantastic idea. Thanks! I'm going out this weekend. Rival seemed to stick out for me as well. Sunbeam mostly just scares me.

Padrinho 2008-12-12T19:30:30Z Mark http://crockpotcooking.tribe.net/thread/a5160aa1-640e-42bd-8d57-3a95dfac067a#be5d1e95-abc0-4073-ba70-ca8abbe58aac 2008-12-12T01:58:47Z 2008-12-12T01:58:47Z

It depend on what type of features you want. If you are going to take it with you (to buffets, pot-lucks, etc.) then having a locking lid is a nice feature. I really like having a "warm" setting in addition to having a low and high. That way once I'm done cooking the food will stay warm even if things get off schedule, or everyone can't eat at the same time. That being said, I own 4 Rival brand crockpots of various sizes.

Mark 2008-12-12T01:58:47Z Padrinho http://crockpotcooking.tribe.net/thread/a5160aa1-640e-42bd-8d57-3a95dfac067a#5ed821e9-6534-4f83-854b-f3e2e02a5c33 2008-12-11T15:29:20Z 2008-12-11T15:29:20Z

Our lovely kitten killed our crock-pot. Dropped it down a flight of stairs. Time to buy a new one and I looked at Target, Sears and Kmart and am baffled by the selections. Last time I bought a crock-pot, there was a selection of sizes, not brand names (yeah, it was old) I have a family of 6 (not including the damn cat) so I assume the 6-quart makes more sense. I want to buy it in a store, and not online. Does anyone have a preference of brand names?

Padrinho 2008-12-11T15:29:20Z