Resale shops; estate sales; rummage sales. $2-3, tops. Readily available, except of course, if you want one now! I've purchased several; gave one to my son & have a couple of back-ups. Hardly ever use one, though, so it's a little Kooky for me to have two extras in the basement! Had a couple of newer ones that were awful so I guess that's why I latched onto the vintage ones.

I haven't owned one for years, but just recently came across some info on brands. Three that were recommended were KitchenAid and Cuisinart...both 6 qt size. The other...more expensive...was from AllClad. From what I read, an oval shape was more appealing than round.

I think one of the main differences in the new ones is that they do not have very low settings for "warm", and so the low setting is not all that low.

You might consider getting an Instapot or something like that. If I did not already have a pressure cooker, I would get one of those and get rid of my crockpot, which I almost never use and which stays in the garage. Maybe you can inspire me to use my crockpot - what do you mainly use it for?

I have two Hamilton Beach set and forget stainless steel 6 quart, recommend by Ann T and I bought the second one after having the first one for several years. I cook for groups and it's great. The warm setting is great. Removable crock.

Anyway, Overstock has it for 54.49.

Have a HB 6 qt …. runs faster/hotter than the old cylinder type. Use it several times a week. Had two, but the outer part died and I kept the insert, so have a 'spare'. Like it a lot. Start beans on stove, and xfer to beachy boy for about 18 hours on LOW. Toss a ham hock (or some pork loin) in … good eats.

My lid clamps down so you can transport food without spillage. Great feature.

I love my crock pot and wouldn't trade it for the world!! Mine is the Crockpot brand, not expensive (I think under $30) and not huge and not with a lot of features (high, low and warm settings only). As I live alone, I don't use it a lot but it is my go-to when making things like stews, chilies or soups or anything that needs long, slow, low temp cooking.

I would gladly give you mine (it's Crockpot brand and it has a cute green jacket that zips over it). I just got an Instant Pot and so I can get rid of the crockpot, yogurt maker and rice maker. Yippee!

I didn't know they ever died!

Like ci_lantro said, head to a resale, charity, Good Will, Salvation Army and get an old one for not much.

That will give you time to research the new ones and figure out what you need or don't need.

With the recent Instapot craze I would hit a thrift shop like mentioned as I'm sure you might find hundreds of crock pots. Seem a thing of the past.

I have two crockpots...one downstairs and one at the beach house. Used once a year if that. Great for caramelized onions if I have a giant bag.

IntsaPot would be my preference if I needed such a thing but I'm so 'old-school' I'm not sure if it fits my needs. (it was in my Amazon check-out during the holidays but did not bite). I'm never in such a hurry and like hands on cooking.

I make a mixed grain once/twice a week using 5-10 different grains needing different cooking times so no go with something that needs in-set-lid-seal-cook. I cook for calming therapy and such a thing just might make me nuts and stressed. : )

Yep, me too. I like this one. I bought it to replace my old small one.

https://www.target.com/p/crock-pot-174-4-5-qt-manual-slow-cooker-scr450/-/A-16799396

I do not like the programable ones, my son took one back that didn't work right. I have had this one for a year or so and the only thing I don't like is the lid. You can't put it in water to soak.

I used my big one, the 6 qt. Westbend yesterday. It did not cook correctly. I think High is burnt out. ( only 30 years old). I am trying to decide between the 7 quart and the 8 quart that is like the one I have.

https://www.target.com/p/crock-pot-174-7-qt-manual-slow-cooker-silver-scv700-ss/-/A-12833835

https://www.target.com/p/crock-pot-174-8-qt-manual-slow-cooker/-/A-52003571

I like the warm setting on the new ones, and I really don't trust the old ones.

ETA: If mine doesn't work right, why should I think another old one would?

You've gotten some great advice, and can't lose taking a trip to a second hand store. Based on either Ann_t or Cook's illustrated, I bought a Hamilton Beach several years ago thinking I would need it as my old crockpot is around 30 years old. It's still kicking, although the outside condition is deplorable HA!

I've had my instant for about three years, and use it almost exclusively; that said, there are certain times when I want that long unattended time that the crockpot fulfills.

CathyinSWPA

I have an old/cheap CrockPot brand, the only settings are High/Low/Warm. It works great. Elery had a fancy programmable one and it just quit working altogether, although it had only been used a few times over a couple of years. I think the more bells and whistles, the more there is to go wrong...

I don't use mine a lot, I usually use the 6 quart Nesco because I can control the temperature on that, as opposed to just high/low, but if I'm making beans I'm going to haul out that CrockPot, I like them best cooked all day.

I also use the CrockPot at holidays for things like keeping chili dip warm and fill it with hot chocolate or chai tea or homemade mocha/latte.

I think I'd also try the thrift stores and second hand shops, even yard sales if you do that kind of thing. Some are seldom used and can be purchased cheaply.

Annie

Lars - anything that needs a long, slow simmer - stew - soups, beans and the like. Hours of aromas are enjoyable too. lol

I love my crock-pots. I bought the larger 6-6.5 quart one at Costco. It came with a week mini pot and I sold it on Kijiji. I found I needed a smaller one, and found a 5-qt oval one off Kijiji for $8. We use it the most.

I love putting my ribs in it.........not with the barbecue sauce on; just a rub, and standing them on the ends of the bones so that the fat drips off while they cook. I then glaze them with barbecue sauce and broil. So the oval pots work best for us.

I toyed with the idea of getting an IP but was at my SIL over Christmas and she had gotten one. We both pored over the instruction booklet, plus the pot is HUGE, and I decided I'd never use it, and couldn't figure out the instructions anyway. She too took it back. We both love our crock-pots.

I wanted to replace my West Bend bean pot style slow cooker that I'd had for more than 30 years...the interior of the pot was looking worn and stained, things were beginning to stick - I found review after review of many different brands that all said they cook hotter than the old models. In my research, I came across the Fagor multi purpose cooker and it began to interest me - I bought that. My kitchen at that time was small and the Fagor replaced the slow cooker, pressure cooker, rice cooker as well as having the browning feature which saved in just a bit of prep cleanup. I don't have the small kitchen any longer and still use this appliance a lot, I'd miss it if I didn't have it. I probably use the pressure cooker feature (for meals, I don't can in it) as often as the slow cooking mode. Or, I'll use both, and kick start something by pressure cooking it until close to done, then turn it to slow cook to finish while I'm busy doing something else. My reason for choosing the Fagor over the same price Nesco with the same features? The Fagor was one inch smaller in diameter and would fit in my cupboard shelf with the door closed ;0). I'm not sorry with my choice.

okay dandyrandy … it's been several days … you hit a garage sale yet?

bragu - you won't believe this but I'm waiting for a walker now as just my cane isn't enough support. But I very much appreciate all suggestions as I do whenever I put a question on this forum. Once out, I may go crazy and buy more than one crockpot! lol

Dandyrandylou, I just bought the 7 quart I had a link to above at Target. It is oval. That is where I bought the round 4.5 qt last year. I went to Target, but they do deliver to your house. They work well and don't get any hotter than my old ones did, but I have laminate counters and don't have the problem that people with quartz do. I wish they still had the one piece glass lid instead of the 2 piece with the metal rim.

Just used mine for vegetarian chili for a Cinco de Mayo party I hosted... stayed on warm until ready to serve.

Crock pots are also great for taking food to pot lucks to make sure your food remains hot. I have the Crockpot brand. If I ever need to replace, I'd switch to an oval shape.

When I was working, a brisket in a Crockpot was about the only thing that could stand up to slow cooking for 11 hours, and it did so very well.

we love to make our warm apple cider in the crockpot. It's great for those holiday parties.

bragu, we make ours in the crock pot also! (this year it'll be in the IP on slow cook). Perfect for that, isn't it : ) Scents the whole house of spices!

bragu & 2manyDiversions: Okay you gals - tell us please how you make cider in the crockpot. Thank you.

Well, darn, dandyrandylou, mine seems to be packed for the remodel. This one is similar, but not quite it...

I use the best, strongest cider I can find (we've an apple orchard that makes it locally), and I recall there is orange juice and a bit of lemon juice in it. I put half oranges in mine, spiked with whole cloves. Also cinnamon sticks. We don't add rum as it's for 'everyone'. I remove the lid after it's well-simmered (starting it very early) and also some of the oranges as the peel might make it bitter toward the end of the evening. Smells heavenly : ) Tastes heavenly. Ours is not clear as in the photo as the apple cider is heavy with apple pulp.

drl

we have made it from scratch. we've started with apple juice, and my wife cheated and used cider.

google is your friend

We like hot cider at the holidays. In a large pot, I pour 1/2 gallon of cider, bring it up to almost a boil, and lower immediately to low simmer. I add one washed orange studded with 16 cloves and 4 cinnamon bark sticks. Simmer 45 minutes. Taste to see if the spices have flavored it enough. If not, simmer another 30 minutes. After it has reached full flavor for an hour or so, be sure to remove the orange and cinnamon bark to prevent them making the cider bitter. If you like the cider spiked, pour a jigger of brandy or rum in the bottom of a holiday mug and add the cider.