slow-cooker shape and size?

westcoaststyle

K, I think I"m finally breaking down and buying myself a slow-cooker.   Too many good recipes and it just seems so easy.  Both good things!

So, what size and shape do you recommend?  I'd be cooking for me, DH, and toddler son.  I don't mind leftovers.  Is a 6qt too big? Also is oval better than round or does it really make a difference?

 Thanks! 

duckiegrl

I have this one.  it's the crock-pot brand one that's oval and programmable.  we like it because after its done cooking, it automatically shifts to warm.  we used to have one of those manual ones (until it broke) but it was a pain because if you weren't home after the four or eight hours it kept cooking your food.  we got ours at costco and it came with the little dipper warmer thing (good for smokies or queso).

Kitten80

I have an old Crock-Pot that is round and has the low, high, warm settings.  I like it because it it seems like it might be a bit deeper and say my recipe calls for "4 hours on low".  However, I did get an oval one with the programmed button which is nice too.  It is better for roasts or large pieces of meat and it shift to warm.  The only problem with this has been that the temp is dependent on time so if I want "4 hours" it is "high" so I would have to be home after 4 to turn the "low" setting which is 6 - 8 hours to "warm".  Also, when we had a power outage for 10 seconds, it turned the programmable one off waiting to be turned back on.  Luckily, we were home and caught it.  With my old one, it would have resumed cooking on whatever setting I left it on once the power came back on.  The large one also doesn't fit as well in my sink to clean.  Soooo, it depends on what you prefer and would like to cook.  I LOVE my crock-pot.  GL & enjoy

UltrazGSD

I have a few.  My favorite is my programmable oval one.  It is the best overall slow cooker.  I also have an oval Crockpot brand, but it has a manual high/med/low, so when it's done it won't turn itself to warm.  That's kind of a pain if you are gone.  I have a small, tall, round one I use from time to time as well.  It's good for artichokes, potatoes, etc.  Then I have a teeny tiny one I have never used.  It was a gift.

safy

I have a 5qt oval which I love mainly because the slow cooker bags fit it perfectly, but my most important criteria of a slow cooker is that it has to have a removable ceramic pot so that I can easily clean it without having to wrestle with the power cord.