How often do you use them? Multiple times per week or occasionally?

I can't decide whether or not to buy one, I know they are not expensive but I don't need another appliance collecting dust and I'm moving to a new house with a much smaller kitchen.

I have a few books with recipes but I'm just not inspired by any of them. I was talking to my neighbour and she loves hers, she even makes roasts in hers, she puts whole potatoes in the bottom of the pot and puts the roast on top, says it's amazing.

The one thing I don't like about them is that everything is in a sauce and I worry about the calories in the recipes.

So any thoughts? Does anyone not like or use their crockpots?

By Tink on Thursday, October 5, 2006 - 10:32 am:

I use our's once a week or so. I've heard that you can dry-roast things in them but I love the tenderness of the meats when they're done in some kind of liquid. I often just use seasoned chicken broth so I'm not adding fat or many calories. I use mine for soups, stews, roasts, taco meat, pork chops, chickens, chili, and even casserole type dishes like shepherd's pie.

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, October 5, 2006 - 10:40 am:

I use my crockpot 1-3x a week. It's perfect for those nights when the kids have sports, etc. and there isn't time to cook a big dinner. I prepare it in the morning and it's READY to serve at dinner time. I often throw in a small pork roast with baby carrots, potatoes, celery, onions, one cup of water and seasoning. Off the top of my head, other crockpot meals I've made are beef stew and honey lemon chicken. My family loves crockpot dinners, and I prefer to go that route, as opposed to getting fast food on those busy days.

By Andi on Thursday, October 5, 2006 - 10:41 am:

Same as Trina..1-3 times a week. I love it.

By Tonya on Thursday, October 5, 2006 - 10:42 am:

We use ours at least 2x per week because they are so useful. And ours is actually cooking a roast right now at home while I am here at work.

Then we are planning on using it Sunday for chicken soup. Then 1 day next week for chili and another meal of turkey vegtable soup.

I love it.

By Bemerry84 on Thursday, October 5, 2006 - 11:14 am:

I'm cooking a roast (pork, potoatoes, carrots and seasoning and 1/2 cup water) right now too, while I'm at work. I couldn't live without one. Has anyone used those new liners? Are they worth it? I would like to get a new crock pot with the timer on it I managed to burn a pot roast last week because I cooked it as I always do but it was not frozen so there wasn't the extra water, what a mess to clean, but we still ate it we had no choice.

By Tayjar on Thursday, October 5, 2006 - 11:16 am:

During the school year, at least 3 - 5 times a week. I am even thinking about buying a second one. There are cookbooks out there for healthy crockpot cooking. I cook everythng from meatloaf to lasagna to roasts to soups in mine.

By Debbie on Thursday, October 5, 2006 - 01:54 pm:

I have been using mine about 3x a week. Both my boys are in sports right now, so it is a life savor. I used it a lot when my dks were little too. I would always get it going during their morning nap. It just seemed like afternoons where so hectic, that if I didn't use it, we wouldn't eat a real meal.

By Reds9298 on Thursday, October 5, 2006 - 02:34 pm:

I go through phases with mine, but use it for sure once a week. I LOVE IT!!! I love not having to worry with much at dinner, right after DH gets home. I can enjoy his arrival and not have to say "hi" and start working on dinner things.

The food is always delicious (I think it's hard to mess it up in a crock pot ), and honestly Natalie will eat ANY meat that I cook in there because it's so tender. I can't get her to eat much baked/grilled of a porkchop, but when it's in the crock pot she devours it.

They aren't very expensive and well worth it. I actually have a standard size and a large one. I rarely use my large one though. I also have a mini crock for dips which also comes in really handy.

If you get one, you must get the book "Fix it and Forget It"...it will help you get started with a million recipes. Now I just throw in a meat and experiment with spices and it's always declicious. People think that I'm a good cook.

By Reds9298 on Thursday, October 5, 2006 - 02:35 pm:

I think it will be really great when Natalie is older and into after-school activities, etc., like Debbie mentioned.

By Mom2three1968 on Thursday, October 5, 2006 - 03:52 pm:

Someone asked about the crockpot liners, those are great, they do work really well!!! I love them!!

By Annie2 on Thursday, October 5, 2006 - 08:24 pm:

I love mine, too. I use it about twice a week. It's great when the kids are going to be at practice and I can't be home to cook.

My kids love the oven baked chicken breasts I make in mine. I set the breasts on tinfoil balls with chicken stock on the bottom. I season as normal. They come out just dripping off the bone.

I usually don't make heavy sauces. Just the water and spices mixed with the juices from the meat are enough.

As Trina mentioned, it's so much healthier than swinging by a fast-food restaurant. I used to worry about it being on when I am not home but after using it a few times, I quickly got over that OCD fear! LOL

By Tripletmom on Friday, October 6, 2006 - 10:09 am:

Loving the crockpot here also.I use mine twice a week.Last night I made sweedish meatballs and froze them for Thanksgiving dinner this week-end.You will love it.My DD loves any kind of meat cooked in the crockpot too!!

By Colette on Friday, October 6, 2006 - 10:39 am:

I have one but rarely use it. I am making applesauce in it right now. I use it at Thanksgiving to keep the mashed potatoes hot. Sometimes I will make soup in it but it's just as easy for me to do it on the stove.