| Think of savory soups or stews, cooked long and | | | | home, and reheat it at dinner time in your microwave. |
| slow at home. Then casseroles, big pots of baked | | | | The innovations found in today's cookers are born |
| beans, chili and cabbage rolls. These are often made | | | | directly from customer experience over the years. |
| on the stove top or in the oven. Then in 1971, the | | | | Stoneware inserts are removable for cleaning. |
| Crock Pot by Rival came onto the marketplace and | | | | Temperature controls allow for a broad range of |
| expanded the possibilities in home cooking. | | | | cooking methods, and programmable features let you |
| Today, the generic term slow cooker is used | | | | control the settings as your dish cooks. Some even |
| alongside the brand name Crock Pot. The various | | | | include a probe which is inserted into the meal, to |
| modern models are the busy home cook's friend. | | | | monitor the progress of recipes that require the food |
| Many classic comfort foods are also slow cooker | | | | to reach a certain temperature. |
| classics, easy to make and easy to serve in bowls to | | | | Consider these things when you shop for the best |
| warm family and friends snowy winter evenings. | | | | slow cooker for your household: |
| The original Crock Pot was an innovation at that time. | | | | - Choose a size that you will fill at least half but no |
| I remember when these came out, and they were | | | | more than two-thirds full, so that the food gets hot |
| as hot as any modern, small kitchen appliances you | | | | enough, but does not overflow while cooking. Large |
| see advertised now. | | | | capacity models are in the 4 to 7 quart range, with |
| These practical cooking tools have evolved into | | | | small capacity in the 1 to 4 quart range. |
| multi-tasking heavyweights. They have lots of bells | | | | - The locking lids, available on some models, are made |
| and whistles that your mother and grandmother | | | | to help you transport the unit with food in it. These |
| would have wanted. Sizes cover a broad range, from | | | | are handy for carry-in dinners, potlucks and buffets. |
| 1 quart to 7 quart, even 8 quart capacity. The | | | | - Models with oval-shape stoneware liners (vs. round) |
| newest models include programming features, multiple | | | | work better for roasts, whole chickens and similar |
| temperature settings, multiple and removable | | | | foods. Choose yours based on size and shape of the |
| stoneware inserts, hinged lids, clamp-on lids, and the | | | | foods you cook the most. |
| list goes on. | | | | - Removable stoneware liners make clean up easier. |
| Slow cookers continue to be popular because they | | | | You won't want to save your slow cooker for annual |
| serve the needs of busy moms and home cooks to | | | | potluck dinners once you discover all the luscious |
| make easy, delicious meals for their families. You can | | | | recipes that you can make with your cooker. |
| create a meal, set it cooking, and have dinner | | | | Everything from a hot breakfast to a hot toddy can |
| underway while doing other tasks. Or, cook the meal | | | | be made in a slow cooker. |
| overnight, refrigerate it while you are away from | | | | |