What is the Best Crock ? 

Crock Pot or Slow Cooker? Discover The Difference

Most crock pots have heating elements on both the bottom and sides of the crock.  Heat surrounds the food bringing it more quickly up to a safe temperature. Crock pot cooking cooks foods slowly at a low temperature - generally between 170^o and 280^o F and has been deemed safe by the USDA. 

Some slow cookers have heating elements on the bottom, but none on the sides. This causes the cooker to heat the food more slowly, leading to questions about crock pot cooking safety. The USDA recommends using this type of cooker for soups, stews, etc. where the food is small cut. 

Crock pots, also known as "slow cookers", are revered for their ability to cook all sorts of foods at a slow, even pace. These units excel at tenderizing pot roasts and other less expensive cuts of meat, which require longer cooking at a lower heat setting. They also do a great job with soups and stews and are versatile enough to prepare specialty dishes such as stuffed peppers or rolled eggplant. Many units are now designed to accommodate whole chickens, oversized roasts, and racks of ribs. 

How to Shop for Crock Pots

When selecting a slow cooker, consider how often you will use the appliance and what types of food will be cooked. Will you be likely to transport cooked dishes to friends' homes or other venues? Specialty features translate into increased price so be sure to select a unit that matches your needs. Optional features include removable crock liners, insulated travel cases, signal lights, and extra settings for "keep warm" or "automatic" cooking.

Where to Buy Crock Pots

Crock pots are sold in most retail outlets--from department stores to grocery, pharmacy, and hardware stores. Mail-order catalogs, such as Williams-Sonoma, that specialize in kitchen wares usually carry top-of-the-line models. Mass merchandisers, such as Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and Target usually have a wide selection of mid to low-end products. Specialty cooking stores, while pricier, offer the advantage of a a knowledgeable staff that can assist you with your selection. There are also a number of online stores such as Cookware.com and ShoppersChoice.com that carry not only food preparation appliances but gourmet and specialty foods as well.

Crock pots range in price from approximately $30 for a small unit to about $90 for a large unit with specialty features.

Warranties vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Most units carry 90-day, 1-year or 2-year warranties.