I use my electric roaster year round. Better than heating up the oven to roast stuff.
For a piece of roast beef - brown it in a cast iron skillet first, add carots, celery potatoes and seasoning to make a pot roast.

I use my slow cookers all year round, sometime more than one at a time. I have two smaller ones, two big ones and one big one with the carrier that I use when I want to transport something. I use mine several times a week. I have two big electric roasters and like those for a turkey. I used to use them all the time when my oven was not working.

Sue

I love mine and use it several times a week all year round.

As for recipes this is a new one that everyone seems to like: 4 boneless porkchops, two cans of cream of mushroom and I throw in a can of sliced mushrooms too. Let it cook all day on low and serve with rice.

Another favorite is: 1-2 packages of boneless country ribs, 1/2 c of plum jam and 1/2 c of good bbq sauce. Mix the jam and bbq sauce together, pour over ribs and let cook all day on low.

yes..do my pulled pork bbq in it. lot cooler than the oven!

Yes I do, I bake anything you can put in the oven in it, and I make pinto beans, navy beans, just about any kind of beans in it. I made a meatloaf in mine two days ago.

It saves on the oven heat in my tiny galley kitchen and frees me up to do other stuff besides stand in there and stir the pot as it were ;o)

Zipper, can you tell me how you made your meatloaf in your crockpot? I'd like to try that.
Thanks!

Pulled pork, cheesy potatoes, baked beans and spaghetti are the things I use it for mostly. I love making spaghetti in it and it is one of DH's favorite foods.
I have 2 different sized crock pots, 3 1/2 and 5 1/2 quarts.
Kathy G in MI

I tossed my slow cookers when I got the Nesco roasters. I'll use them year round. Anytime I want to make something without using the bigger ovens. Meatloaf, ribs, roast, turkey breast you name it. I've baked bread in them too. Great for outside, bake and keep potatoes hot, or anything, like sausages, meatball appetizers, corn, burgers.

I like that it can be used as a slow cooker for chili or stews or as a true oven for meats, breads, veggies, etc. Plus you have much better temperature control.

Well, now I'm hungry for pulled pork. I'll have to fire up the slow cooker!

Living in Houston (the high was only about 97 today, much better than when we were running 103/104 EVERY day!) my slow cooker and roaster are the way to cook (I only use the oven in the winter --- a few weeks in Jan. lol) Here's a fav recipe:

"BBQ" Beef

2 & 1/2 to 3 # lean chuck roast or bottom round
1 & 1/2 cups ketchup
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup wine vinegar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon liquid smoke
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Mix all ingredients, except meat in crock pot. Add meat. Cook about 8 hrs. (per original recipe) on high or about 5 hrs. on low (my way.) Shred meat. Add a little flour to thicken, if you want.

Mickey, I mix up the meatloaf, then spray the crockpot insert with some kind of cooking spray (that's for me, I hate stuck on food lol), place the loaf in the pot and turn it on high for 4 hours. There is enough moisture in a meatloaf so you don't have to add any liquid and it turns out great every time.

I use the Ann Landers recipe ;o)

Here is a link that might be useful: recipe for her meatloaf here

I use it year around. I have several cookbooks for it. I like to cook a large piece of meat, sometimes with veggies and sometimes not. It makes the cheapest meat tender after cooking on low all day and very flavorful. And since there is just 3 of use, I have leftovers for another meal. And only one pot to clean. I bought some slower cooker clear plastic liners, which really makes clean up a breeze.
Clare

Slow-Cooker Porcupine Meatloaf

In a large bowl combine:

1 ½ lb lean ground beef
½ cup uncooked minute rice
½ onion, chopped
1 T Worcestershire sauce
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
1 egg

In a smaller bowl combine:

1 can tomato soup
½ cup chunky salsa
¼ cup water

When the meat mixture is combined, add ½ cup from the small bowl, and mix together. Shape into a loaf and fit it into your slow cooker. Pour rest of the small bowl on top and cook on low for 7-9 hours. Serve with a garden salad and cheese bread.

Hint: To make it easier to lift the loaf from cooker when done, use 1" wide folded strips of tinfoil, long enough to line the cooker bowl with extra hanging over the sides, and use as lifters when the loaf is done. (I use the new slow cooker liners)