Sooz, I finally abandoned my crockpot with the bells and whistles for an older one like you are referring to. Here is an option--I found a large and smaller on at Goodwill and have been using them for two years. It was only a $10 investment.

Cathy

Thanks for the input, Cathy. I love puttering around Goodwill and other thrift stores, but y'know, in all the years of puttering, I've never found a crock pot! Maybe the workers at those stores have first dibs!

Weii, if it's that important, maybe you could try volunteering at a thrift store. Well, better yet, try a thrift store in a large wealthy tourist town!

I agree that the older crock pots do a better job of slow cooking than the new ones that cook at a higher temperature.

Of course, all those thousands of people killed off by the older model slow cookers would probably disagree with me (smirk). I think that was the reason for the change in the newer model pots. Yes....it was definitely all those poor folks in the 60's, 70's, and 80's that were send to their untimely demise by food poisoning in slow cookers that prompted this change. sheesh.......

LOL, Teresa. I also dislike the new, hotter and faster cooking crockpots, I wish I'd have kept my old one. Amanda won't give it back. Sigh.

Yeah, the food police has to keep us safe, we aren't smart enough to do it ourselves. I know, I know, I'm not supposed to eat runny eggs either.

I second the notion of looking for a used one, the one I'm currently using is my mother's relatively new CorningWare crockpot, I didn't even know they made one! It's OK, but it overcooked a batch of tomato butter, they just cook too hot.

My other one was a new Rival, also too hot. I took it somewhere with food in it and I can't remember where the heck I left it. No loss, I didn't like it that much anyway, so I just keep using Mother's. She didn't like it as much as she liked her old one, so she doesn't want it back, and we all want to steal Amanda's old one...

Annie

I bought this one a few months ago and I've been very happy with it. One of the features I love is the locking lid-no more flimsy plastic lid skittering around. It also makes it easier to transport. It's also got more settings than just low and hi which is all I had on my last crockpot. I picked it up at Kohls for around the price here on Amazon. It was one of the top rated slow cookers by Cook's Illustrated, FWIW. Right under the $200 all-clad slow cooker which was way out of my price range.

Tracey

Here is a link that might be useful: crock pot

I wouldn't get the "Crock Pot" brand. I gave mine away because it was too hot. I now have the brand that Tracey recommended above. Mine is a Hamilton Beech Stay and Go but not the programmable version.

Sooz, I'm sorry to hear about your crock pot breaking. I've read horrible reviews of the modern ones heating up to much so I do hope you can replace the crock in the old one. I'm glad someone gave me an old one from the 70's so I don't have to worry about that.

I was at the Good Will tonight doing a vacuum run and noticed several crocks there for sale with lids (like 4 dollars each), but no "electric" part.

If you thought any of these would fit yours, I'd be glad to send you one, but I know it would be hard to tell by these pictures!

Wow, thanks for your kind offer, vacuumfreak! The middle one in the top photo you posted looks closest to what I have. If you happen to go to your local thrift shop again, and the one in the middle matches with mine and it's measurements, YES, please do pick it up for me! I'll be happy to reimburse you for its cost and of course, the shipping too! THANK YOU for looking for me!!!

In this photo, below, the *outside* --measuring from the top to the bottom-- is 5.75" tall. Also, measuring from outside edge to outside edge (not including the "handles") is 11 and 3/8 inches.
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In this next photo, below, the measurement across the bottom, from bottom edge to bottom edge (the white circle), is 8.5 ".
{{gwi:1570084}}

This last photo, which is also upside down, is just to give you another photo.
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Let me know if any other measurements would be helpful to you. Again THANK YOU for your kind offer!!!

Not a problem. People on this forum have been so kind to me on the past, if I can pay it forward in any way I'm happy to. Plus, there's a vacuum that I didn't buy that is kind of piquing my interest that I may go back for LOL

I will go back and see if it's still there and make sure the measurements are accurate and that it's in good shape (I didn't take the lid off or study it too well yet because I didn't know if any of them would work for you). Hopefully it will still be there! :o) Your color is a lot nicer than the green one at the thrift store though! I will post back soon... I know you need to start looking at other options if this one doesn't work out!

If I get it, I'll need detailed instructions on packing it safely so it survives the shipping. I don't have much shipping experience, and I'd hate to have it ruined. I know the expert swappers here are pros at shipping!

Is your lid plastic too like the one in the picture?

I sure hope this works out for you :o)

Yes, my lid is plastic, but not like the one in your photo. I think I finally figured out this thumbnail stuff, so click on the pix below and see it bigger.
{{gwi:1570086}}

How about this? If you're not going out of your way or anything, and if the dimensions are the same, go ahead and get it and I'll reimburse your for the cost, even if you end up donating it back again if I find out the shipping will be cost prohibitive. It sure looks like the same shape, but ya never know!

Meanwhile, I can maybe find a place online to figure out shipping costs from Florida to California, based on the weight and the cheapest way to send it. That will also give me time to pick some brains about how to pack it and what that will involve for you as far as packing materials etc.

I've been reading a lot of reviews about crockpots and slow cookers, and a lot of reviews from people said that many manufacturers don't offer a replacement liner because of the high percentage of breakage and the shipping costs! Sheesh!

Hubs did remind me that my cracked ceramic liner is quite HEAVY--and reminded me that my b-day is coming up (which leads me to think either he or my sis planned to get me a new slow cooker).

Do these ideas sound good to you?

Heeeey, isn't it *YOUR* birthday this Thursday???

Hmmmm.... what to do what to do? That sounds like a plan... I can go back and pick it up if it's still there, if not it wasn't meant to be. A new crock pot would be fun if they get you one that doesn't get too hot. I guess it wouldn't be prudent to do it if it's more expensive than a new one would be. I did a quick search just to see... I guessed the weight was 8 pounds and I did from Orlando to LA (I don't remember what city you're in, but it was an estimate) and it said about 15 dollars. I'm pretty sure the crock was 3.99. My slow cooker has a glass liner so I couldn't weigh it as an estimate.

Do you think you'd prefer a new one over trying to salvage the old one?

Yes Thursday... and I had almost forgotten. Think I need a stronger drink now, I'm not feeling anything from this iced tea!

This should go without saying, I know we are all friends here but I'll say it anyway. If you decide you don't want it, I will not be offended in any way. :o)

Email coming at ya--in case you check this site first, here's what the email says:

Thanks for the flexibility about picking up, or not, the ceramic liner.

How about this--next time you go to the thrift store, measure it and if it has the same measurements as the one I have, and if it has no cracks, pick it up for me. I can spring for the cost of $4, and shipping of around $15 and some extra $ for packing materials. It's still cheaper than a new one!!!! If it's there and "measures up" (ha ha), it was meant to be, and I'll figure out something else for a b'day gift.

Don't forget to celebrate your b-day from Sept. 17 to Oct. 17 ! ! ! Why limit ourselves!!!!

Thanks again!!!!
Sooz

Hi, Cynic,
Thanks for the recommendation about a roaster. I hadn't thought of that because I always use my oven for roasting stuff, but your suggestion is good to know!

I have a "new" slow cooker that we're always complaining warms up much too slowly... it may be just the model you're looking for. If we start a full crock of soup it takes two hours before the liquid even feels warm, three to start developing steam and at least five before we get a boil. And that's all on the high setting.

It's a Hamilton Beach Double Dish Slow Cooker. It has the ceramic crock and two non stick aluminum dishes that nestle into the crock to make small warming bowls (double boilers if you want to wait that long).

Found our's at a grocery discount store for about $20 three or four years ago, but maybe you could find one on ebay or craigslist. I'd be happy to send photos if needed, just send me a personal email!

How funny Sooz - the lid to MY crockpot broke; well not the lid but the knob on top. It's all plastic and one piece, without that knob there is a big hole in the top.

So yesterday I used Nail Glue and glued the knob back on. So far - so good!

Hey, Shaun... necessity is the mother of invention!

So glad you glued the knob back on...clever you!!!!

Hi Sooz. I went back to the Good Will this morning, tape measure in hand and your previous post with the measurements pulled up on my phone. Unfortunately, the crock only measured 10 inches from outside edge to outside edge (across the top) so it's too small to fit for you. It was 11 and 1/2 from handle to handle, and 10 without including the handles.

Sorry it didn't work out! It was sooooooooo close! I didn't know they made crock pots with so many different variations in size. Good luck with a new one though... maybe you'll find one you love even more than this one! I do see older crock pots from time to time at the thrift stores, but they are invariably missing the control knob and while it would still work, would drive me CRAZY!

They had the vacuum still that I wanted, and it did follow me home, but I'm still sorry this didn't work out for you!

Hey, Bobby,

Thanks for trying and getting out the ol' tape measure!!! You're right, it was soooooo close and looked like the same one I have!

I really appreciate your extra effort on my behalf, and I'm glad a vacuum followed you home!

Since the ceramic liner has a crack all the way through, do you (or anyone?) know if it's still SAFE TO USE ?--until it cracks completely into two parts? Will the steady heat sterilize food in the pot itself???

Thanks again,
Sooz

I don't know if it would be safe to use or not, but I wouldn't chance it. I don't think you would be able to clean it out very well and bacteria might grow in the food. Can you imagine if you were to make a big meal in the thing and as you went to lift up the crock, the thing fell apart into two pieces?

I wonder if anyone on Craig's List in your area has the same crock pot as you that they are selling cheap? I see older crock pots on there in my area all the time!

I was thinking more like "scooping" out the food to avoid total breakage! LOL

I already checked my area's Craig's List, as well as freecycle. I'll just have to resign myself to a new one!

Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without...or get one for my birthday or Xmas! I wonder if auto bondo would work on that crack? Only kidding!

:O)

I found this one in my area. I can go get it if it makes your heart sing.

Eileen

Here is a link that might be useful: Rival crock pot.

Sooz,
What if you used one of those cooking bags in your cracked crock pot (say that 5 times fast!)? The kind of bag I sometimes bake a turkey or turkey breast in -- they may even make ones specifically for use in a crock pot. Then the food would not touch any part of the cracked pot, but would cook in the bag -- easy removal too.

Teresa

Teresa is right on as usual. Lately I have been using crock pot liners. They work as advertised for most things then when you get your problem solved, you use any left for the new/used crock pot.

Cathy

Hi, Eileen, thanks for your thoughtfulness, but I think I'll pass on it. I really appreciate it, though!

Teresa, thanks for bringing the obvious to my attention! I've been oblivious to the obvious!

Cathy, thanks for your personal testimony about crock pot liners!

Smiles, with many thanks to ALL who posted and offered to help etc
Sooz