This one, the West Bend Versatility, is one I prefer. It's not a crock-pot style slow cooker with a ceramic insert, it's basically a pot on a heated base.

Advantages: you can put the pot on the stovetop and get it up to temp quickly, then put it on the hot base. That way you don't have, say, a lot of chicken at an unsafe temp for an hour or two while the heating element struggles to get up to temp. Also, it's easier to clean than a standard crock pot.

I'm sure the All Clad is a snazzier item, and maybe even cooks better, but for around $60 it's hard to fault this basic item. Crock pot enthusiasts tend to prefer the heat coming up along the sides; this one does not. Still, it's very useful for undemanding dishes.

Here is a link that might be useful: west bend

My personal favorite is the Rival crockpot (linked below). I have an AllClad, but the first time I used it the crock became crazed; that has never happened with the Rivals.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rival Crockpot

My favorite isn't really a slow cooker, it's the 6 quart Nesco roaster. It has a "slow cook" setting, which I find a bit hot, so I turn it down lower. You can cook at temperatures from below 200 to over 400, so I can simmer a pot of beans all day today and use it to roast a chicken for supper tomorrow. I've baked brownies in it, made soup in it, used it for swiss steak, pork roast, pot roast. It takes a bit of adjustment to get the temperatures right, only practice helps on that, but it's the most versatile cooking item I've ever had.

Annie

Arley, I have a non-stainless steel version of the West Bend you linked to. I've had it for several years. One of the benefits, as you described, is that you can brown meat, saute vegetables, and all those other stove top preps directly in the slow cooker pot. Then transfer everything to the slow cooker base. No need to mess up a pan doing stove top prep and then pour everything into the slow cooker. It saves dirty dishes and removes a step, making the slow cooker really convenient. Plus, the pot is lightweight and easy to deal with.

I do have one question, and perhaps you could help me. I've had an induction cooktop for six years now. My old West bend pot doesn't heat on my cooktop. I'm wondering if the stainless steel version would work. If you read this post, would you mind taking a magnet to the bottom of the pot? If the magnet sticks to the bottom, then the pot is induction compatible, and I'll order one. Would you report back to me? Thanks for your help.

Sorry, but I don't have the SS version; it's a similar pot, black finish.

I went to WS planning on buying the AllClad and one of my most favorite salespeople recommended that I buy the Cuisinart. I did. This is the roughly $200 model. The thing I really like about it is the ability to saute in the slow cooker. No cooking on the stove and transferring, it is truly one unit. I think it turns out a good product.

I recently bought the Hamilton Beach Stay or Go slowcooker and love it. The price was right as well, $48. It even has a meat probe. (some Stay & Go models don't) The lid has two locking clasps on the side ergo "the go" very handy.A supplied ladel clips on the lid and there's a lid holder on the back to hold it up instead of putting it down on the counter. 3 ways of cooking, with the probe by temperature setting, hi/lo slow cooking with completely variable time settings up to 10 hrs and manual, set the temp and it stays at that

The one I got is the Hamilton Beach Set & Forget model

Here's a link.. mines not white though, it's chrome and black

Here is a link that might be useful: error

Just reviving this thread for an update..
So my new HB slowcooker decided to bite the dust yesterday. I'd used it about 3 times and all was well. Then last night I put in a roast and veggies, set it for 9 hrs after midnight, got up this morning to a barely cooked piece of meat which ended up going in the garbage.
Took it back to Lowes for an exchange. Hopefully I got the one lemon in the bunch. What a disappointment and waste.

I have the same Hamilton Beach model, PK, I hope your next one works fine. I haven't used mine much, maybe 4 times and I used the manual setting.

I'm looking for a slow cooker now. Just read the reviews for the HB and that seems to be a common problem. Just never know, it seems, when it will shut itself off.

Looking for one for DD, who works long hours and is never sure exactly when she'll be home but knows for sure she'll be hungry.

The brands we get the most complaints/returns on are the Hamilton Beach slow cookers. The customers say they don't hold a temperature and break down after a few months use. Same way with their hand mixers, poor quality. I wouldn't buy HB items. The quality isn't there. I purchased a new Cusinart programmable slow cooker a few months ago. Have used it 4 times. So far so good. Everything has come out well. It has the SS outside, Black ceramic insert with a meat rack inside. It is the 6.5 quart size. That seems to do best for our family of 4. I also have 2 Rival Crock pots that I received as wedding gifts 30 years ago. They are still going strong and don't show any signs of breaking down. They are stained on the outside and the lids are a bit scratched but I won't give them up for any amount of money. They have lasted so long they are like family! lol NancyLouise

I had a Rival Smart Pot....used it a couple of times and it cooked far too hot. Got rid of it, and bought a Hamilton-Beach 3-In-One slow cooker. One base with 3 different sized inserts.....2, 4 and 6 quart bowls. I love it. It's been working great for over 2 years, with no problems. I love the convenience of the different sized bowls.

I can't understand buying a one-trick pony like a dedicated slow cooker with the roaster ovens available. After using the Nesco a couple of times I tossed that albatross of a slow cooker. Actually I tossed two of them. I like being able to set the temperature rather than them telling me what temperature cooks my food. The shape of the roaster oven is more functional and it can do so much more and usually at a lower price on top of it. I can't imagine even having a slow cooker in the house again. Not here.

The slow cooker I use the most is a tiny 1.5 qt proctor silex oval one. Thick pot with glass lid.. Idiot proof. Used everyday for steelcut oats cooked overnight. Used once a week for the bean dish day (lentils, garbanzo, chili, stew, soup)- small enough for my family of 4. Easy to cleanup in dishwasher and I leave it on the counter all the time. Instead of a larger slow cooker, I am looking at a thermal pot like zojirushi

Lalitha