Crock pot that's best for cholent

Senior Member Joined: Mar 31 2009 Posts: 116

Are you happy with your crock pot? I need to buy a new one.. looking for recommendations

thanks

Platinum Member Joined: Jan 01 2006 Posts: 48223

you need one that doesn't turn off automatically !

I am very happy with my Farberware slow cooker. It runs much cooler than others I have owned. My previous crock pot, a Rival, burned cholent even when set on low. I use the Farberware set on high (with lots of water) and the cholent comes out creamy and flavorful.

Here is a link: Farberware slow cooker

Posted: Sun, Jun 28 2009, 9:26 pm Post subject:

This is the one I have and it's amaaaaazing!

http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-33134-Cooker-6-Quart/dp/B000R8BT0A

It is one base with 3 different sized carafes. 2qt, 4qt & 6qt.

I can always make just the right amount of cholent instead of eating it all week with my previous large one. Also on YT I can have several dishes for several meals set and jusst swap off which one is in the crockpot.

Diamond Member Joined: Jan 19 2006 Posts: 4450

I Have a wesbend. I hate it, But I dropped my hamilton beach one and this was all the store had.

Senior Member Joined: Mar 31 2009 Posts: 116

Make sure that whatever one you get, its one where the side walls come up all the way, cause they have some like this http://www.slow-cooker.com/images/assembled-slowcooker.jpg and it doesnt cook as good as the other ones its just like a hot plate.

I'd like to replace my crock pot now so I'm reviving this thread.

(I posted in the Israel section, but got zilch responses. I guess it's because we didn't have a blizzard to keep us glued to the computer. Rolling Eyes

)
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Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional. (I haven't finished growing up yet; I'm still a work in progress - until 120!)

I have two and I like both of them, have never had a problem. The only thing I don't like is on my smaller one, there is no keep warm setting.

My big one for when I have a full table is this one -
http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton.....amp;sr=1-8

My smaller one is this one (I think, I bought mine so long ago it's probably changed a bit by now) -
http://www.amazon.com/Crock-Po.....mp;sr=1-39

I looked online now and it seems that I'm quite limited as to the brands I can buy here in Israel. (I don't think it's feasible to have such a thing shipped from the US and besides, I need to use it with a different electrical current.)

What I see so far for sale here is: neoflam, Graetz , Selmor , Morphy Richard, Kenwood, and Breville. (I assume these are all either European or Chinese, as are all appliances here.)

Is anyone familiar with these brands of crockpots (or slow-cookers, as they call them here)?

Beginner Joined: Nov 30 2010 Posts: 10

no question the magic mill crock pot is the best; especially made for the frummer olam. Also the flat cover make sit into a bleck. Very practical.

Platinum Member Joined: Jul 28 2006 Posts: 7207

Gold Member Joined: Oct 09 2011 Posts: 1070

I have the crockpot brand 4.5 qt. I bought it in target for $20. they have a 7 qt.oval for $30. I really like it.

Hamilton Beach or Rival/Crockpot. Hands down.

I love the oval shaped ones. Great for using during the week for laying down chicken pieces.
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Really Awesome Mom!

Platinum Member Joined: Jul 28 2006 Posts: 7207

Those who love the Magic Mill, what do you like about it? (I have a friend that says it makes a great Chulent).

Executive Member Joined: Dec 29 2007 Posts: 283

I really like my Magic Mill. That said, I have used a Rival ceramic insert crockpot in the past, and I think the final result between the two is pretty much the same.

What I prefer about the Magic Mill is the heavy weight glass cover, since it heats food up extremely well and it�s so convenient. Overall, the hotplate cooks very evenly and heats up to much higher temperatures than the insert crockpots. I rely on the hotplate for Yom Tov cooking and warming up foods.
Another advantage, you can brown the meat and onions straight in the pot. Although, I sometimes skip that step when using my Rival, and as said before, haven�t noticed much of a difference in the cholent. My Rival cooks very slowly, which I found very annoying when putting up the cholent late on Friday.

Now for the disadvantages:

It�s really not the greatest quality. The non stick interior will wear off with use, but, even though it's not cheap, I keep on buying it again, based on the above reasons.

It takes some trial and error to find the perfect low setting for Shabbos use. And as the non stick interior wears off, you will have to readjust your settings again (otherwise it will burn). The insert crockpots are definitely more foolproof for Shabbos use, since they distribute the heat from all sides, not only from the bottom, it is much less likely to burn. After a while, they become impossible to clean. I guess I burn my cholent often, because I replace mine once a year.

(there are some who hold that the insert crockpots are an issur of hatmanah)

Previously I had a Westbend (similar style-years ago they used to make the heavy glass cover. I think when they discontinued it, the Magic Mill was born.), but it had an annoying hot spot at the center, while the sides of the pot were barely cooked. So when comparing the Magic Mill to the Westbend or others of similar style, Magic Mill is definitely the best. However, compared to the insert crockpots, Magic Mill is definitely inferior in quality, but offers other options that fit my needs.

Platinum Member Joined: Jul 28 2006 Posts: 7207

Thanks smoms! That was a real professional sounding, easy to understand review! Since I havent been told I shouldnt use it, Im going to replace mine with another Hamilton Beach with stoneware insert.

Diamond Member Joined: Jun 29 2011 Posts: 3151

I like the Rival Smart Pot because you can tell it to be on High for 4 or 6 hours, and then to turn itself down to Low. It is oval, and has a ceramic insert. I hear you can use Reynolds disposable liner bags, but I never have so far. Put some celery sticks on the bottom; prevents any sticking.

Because it turns itself down, instead of just staying at the initial setting, I can be sketchy about the timing, a great convenience.