Can anyone recommend a slow cooker? (brand, model etc)

Can anyone recommend a slow cooker?

My plans for it:
-Baby brisket
-Brisket chili / chili

Whatever else catches my fancy and is easy to prepare.....

I've looked around online and there's a million models and brands, and if possible I'd like to avoid any possible landmines - features I do or don't need, etc.

thank you.
spicoli

 

I haven't used a slow cooker (Crock-Pot) since we got an Instant Pot. It'll slow cook, pressure cook, steam, braze, stew, soup, boil eggs, you name it. Everything but smoke. If that's what you're talking about, disregard. I've done ribs in it, half hour. Then to the Weber for half hour braze, fall off the bone good. Worth a look if you're looking slow cooker.

 

If you've never used one before, spend $30 on a cheap oval-shaped one. Hamilton Beach are fine.
Try out a few recipes. Figure out where you're going to store it.

I upgraded from a small cheap one to a large cheap one. It's all I've ever needed to make basic stuff.

 

I have been on a Weber Smoky Mountain for the last 40 years. It was my Grandfathers and I'll be handing it over to my daughter soon.
I have moved on to an AKORN by Char-Griller. It's an all steel insulated Kamodo Egg Style that costs 1/4 of what a ceramic egg costs. I got mine at Home Depot for about $350 including the cover and some charcoal. You do have to buy the ceramic plate that converts it from a grill to a smoker separately but it is on Amazon for $60 and there are knock offs for $30.

I've been smoking on it for a few weeks now and it's by far easier and better in every way.
Uses less fuel
Easier to start
Cooks faster
Better Bark
Easier Temp Control
Easier Clean Up

Along with it my daughter got me a TempSpike and I have to say it is an absolute game changer. Once you get the airflow / grill temp dialed in to about 250° / 275° you just let it ride and check progress on your phone w/o lifting the lid and probing the meat. I've learned so much from the TempSpike that it has made me a batter and more confident smoker.

 

KitchenAid KSC6223SS 6-Qt. Slow Cooker is what I have and does a great job.

 

This looks pretty decent. Nice clean layout of the controls, nice size. Price is only $129. This might be a good starting point.

 

Logical advice.

 

It is good.
I have the obsessive habit of researching things a bit before making purchases. That one came in with high marks from a few different places.
Best of luck on the search.

 

same. bookworm researcher. old man stuff lol let me sit down and look at da specs!

 

Wait y'all are looking at Crock Pots?
I thought you were looking at smokers.

 

Yeah crock pots/slow cookers, for making chili or doing a baby brisket. I want to concoct a chili recipe with brisket.

 

I've never seen a brisket done in a crock pot.

When I do brisket chili, I cut the brisket up on small 3 to 4" cubes before I smoke them because the surface area ratio to interior area increases. And it lets me get more burnt ends that go well in a chili. Renders out a TON of fat too. Keeps it out of the chili.

 

Yeah for sure.

I just wanna keep it simple for my first try - there are recipes online for doing baby brisket in a slow cooker. I would do the meat separate and then add to the chili when I do the chili.

 

Don't overlook your local Goodwill stores. I have purchased several slightly used sloe cookers over the years on the cheap.

All either Hamilton Beach, or Crock Pot brands. I think we have 4 or 5 of different sizes for any need.

2 of them are small enough to use with a power supply when traveling or camping. Also perfect for making overnight breakfast scramble at camp.

 

FWIW --- the Hamilton Beach Temp Tracker 33866 6 Qt is currently recommended #1 from Consumer reports.

 

https://www.recipetineats.com/slow-cooker-beef-brisket-with-bbq-sauce/

 

So I ended up buying this one - directly from HB. I hate Amazon, half the stuff they ship comes in a damaged box.

They gave me a free air fry lid - don't know if I will use it, but free is free. The reviews on Amazon for this model were really high from verified buyers.

Will report back soon after I start cooking


https://hamiltonbeach.com/flexcook-6-qt-stay-or-go-slow-cooker-33861

 

We barely ever use our slow cooker any longer. We switched to a multi function insta-pot. We use it for quick and slow cooking. Some point here we need to unload all the stuff we don't use anymore lol.

 

Agree, that's basically what I said. See post #2. The Instant Pot is a game changer once you learn it.