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  1. #1
    AnnieW625's Avatar
    AnnieW625 is offline Black Diamond level (25,000+ posts)
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    Default WOHMs, rec. your slow cooker

    My almost 8 yr. old 6 qt. programmable Crock Pot's keep warm element is cooking my food hotter than the low setting (it is okay for soup or chili, but for anything else my food is getting charred) and since I am on gone all day the warm setting usually turns on before I do.

    I'd prefer something that isn't as big as a 6 qt. unit, but I need the timer (however I think that because I am not using the entire crock pot space it also causing my food cook hotter). Idealy I would love a crock pot that I could set to turn on at 10 am vs. 7 am and then only need 6 hrs. of cook time, but I don't think there is a model that will turn itself on.
    Annie
    WOHM to two wonderful little girls born in April
    DD E, 17
    DD L, 13,
    baby 2, 4-2009 (our Tri-18 baby)

  2. #2
    lizzywednesday is offline Red Diamond level (10,000+ posts)
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    Default

    I'm going to watch this thread for suggestions - I've been considering upgrading to a timer-operated CrockPot myself but haven't done much in the way of research.

    My BFF has one that she likes, but I don't remember what model it is. I'm sure she'll send me the link when she gets a chance.
    ==========================================
    Liz
    DD (3/2010)

    "Make mistakes! Get messy!" - Miss Frizzle

  3. #3
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    OMG, Annie, you just diagnozed my crock pot issue. I have had the same one as yours for 9 years now. Lately it has been charring my food and I could not figure it out. My oatmeal on Saturday was just burned brown mush, and when I checked on it at 5 am with 1 hour on low setting left it looked fine. Watching this thread with interest!
    ~ N

    DD 12/10

  4. #4
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    You could use just any non-digital crockpot with just a basic timer (with the green and red "pins" in it). Yes it is an extra piece but we find other uses for the timer (to turn on a lamp when on vacation).

    Something like this... http://www.amazon.com/Intermatic-TN3...zg_bs_495340_5

  5. #5
    TwoBees is offline Diamond level (5000+ posts)
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    I posted a similar thread a few months ago (http://windsorpeak.com/vbulletin/sho...d.php?t=432860) and it seems that there are no crock pots with timers you can set to start at a specific time, only to switch to "warm" after a certain number of hours, because of safety reasons. I'm still looking though!

    Right now, my top two choices are these:

    http://www.hamiltonbeach.com/product...ess-33135.html

    http://www.hamiltonbeach.com/product...ker-33351.html

    I like the second one because you can brown meat directly in the "crock." I have yet to find it in a B&M store to take a look at it, though.
    Mom to a spirited, red-headed, former 28-weeker 10/2009 and a more mellow monkey 12/2013.

  6. #6
    hellokitty is offline Pink Diamond level (15,000+ posts)
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    You're not going to find a crock pot that will turn on by itself, since it's a food safety issue (ie: meat/dairy will reach temps which can cause spoiling). However, there are many programmable ones available, where it will switch over to a, "warm" setting after the cook time is over. I had two rival brand crock pots for a while. One basic, off, high and low one and then I got a fancy programmable one, BUT I discovered that rival units run REALLY hot. Things would end up soggy and overcooked.

    Due to the positive reviews here at BBB, I got a hamilton beach programmable unit. I love it. I feel that my recipes actually come out the way they should now, and the quality of the unit is decent. The clamps on it are also an added plus if you bring it to a potluck, you don't have to worry about spilling of liquidy food. We have one of these units, I'm not sure of the exact model, I think that they have a few that are very similar, the one I got was from kohls.com. I would recommend it to others, it far surpasses the quality of rival crock pots.

    http://www.hamiltonbeach.com/product...w-cookers.html
    Mom to 3 LEGO Maniacs

  7. #7
    lyt202 is offline Silver level (200+ posts)
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    I have had the cuisinart 4 quart cooker for several years and love it. It is not too big, programmable, and has the keep warm function.

    http://www.crateandbarrel.com/cuisin...cooker/s229784

  8. #8
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    one other thing to try is to start with frozen meat. I do frozen meat and low and then have it switch to keep warm and that works better.
    Margaret and
    (DS 2/06) and (DD 3/08)

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by lyt202 View Post
    I have had the cuisinart 4 quart cooker for several years and love it. It is not too big, programmable, and has the keep warm function.

    http://www.crateandbarrel.com/cuisin...cooker/s229784
    I have a cuisinart 6qt and love it. Keep warm function too.


    DD1 MiniMoo 11/10
    DD2 MiniMoo2 9/13

    “I have certain rules I live by. My first rule I don't believe anything the government tells me. and I don't take very seriously the media, or the press, in this country." - George Carlin

  10. #10
    BayGirl2 is offline Emerald level (3000+ posts)
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    We have this Kitchenaid one http://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-KSC.../dp/B000CSRKD0 Its big, but I like to cook it bulk so that's perfect. It has the keep warm function, and you can use it on low and cook for like 12 hours. We don't have a burning problem unless we put too little liquid in. (It's a bit pricey though, we got it as a wedding gift)

    Agree, its not safe to leave the ingredients sitting out without heat before cooking. We do have a bread maker and a rice cooker that allow delayed start, but that is only with non-perishable ingredients.
    Amy

    DS - June 2009
    DD - September 2011

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