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Crock-Pot Slow Cooker, Designer Series Programmable

By 1,566 Comments


As a busy Mom of 3, I rely on a Crock-Pot Slow cooker to cook our dinners on most days of the week. And, there’s nothing more comforting than the aroma of a meal filling and warming the house, on a cold Winters day. I had 2 pots with which to work with, a small circa 70’s pretty number and another bigger one that has scratches and stains the pot, from the first time I used it. When asked if I’d like to review the Designer Series Programmable Crock-Pot® Slow Cooker, I eagerly agreed. For the love of this type of cooking combined with the desire to own the Cadillac of Crock-Pots – yes, please!

The features of the Designer Series Programmable Crock-Pot® Slow Cooker include one touch control, black removable stoneware pot, 4 time settings for high to low cooking, a countdown timer {nice feature!} and fixed handles to move the pot without getting oven mitts on. The features I love best is the easy cord storage, ’cause it’s so annoying to open a cupboard and have cords falling out on you {or constantly shutting the doors on cords}. I also love the stainless steel finish, a brilliant appliance to sit proudly in the kitchen!

crock-pot slow cooker review giveawayThe 6-quart oval pot itself is removable stoneware, dishwasher safe with a resistance it seems to scratch {ya!}. I also love that it automatically shift to ‘keep warm’ setting when cooking is complete, since sometimes dinner is done before we even get home from our busy days. And, no one likes coming home to burnt meals, right?

Yet my favorite aspect of the Designer Series Programmable Crock-Pot® Slow Cooker stems from a huge gripe with my others – the lid bouncing all over the place, making noise and dripping water over the edge. Grrr. The lid on this one has a rubber gasket around it, so it stays shut and keeps moisture inside. No noise. No dancing around. Ya!

I have used this slow cooker many times since it’s arrival, at least 3 times a week. Since it came with a wonderful The Crock-Pot Best Loved Slow Cooker Recipes book, I’ve been also trying many new recipes as well. Thus far, they have been delicious but since theres over 190 recipes in this book, I am far from trying them all. While my other recipe books call a kitchen shelf home, this one has been sitting at a more convenient position these days – yes, I use it that much! And, if you follow me on Twitter, you’ll know that I have been using this Crock-Pot a ton these past weeks, especially since there’s even more recipes on the Crock-Pot site too!

Let’s celebrate this convenient method of cooking, the Crock-Pot brand is in it’s 40th year! The first arrived in 1971 and still to this day it’s the top choice when it comes to slow cooking appliances. I hear you can even make Creme Brulee in a slow cooker. Say, what?

The Crock-Pot Crock-Pot brand is in it’s 40th year, first introduced in 1971 and still to this day it’s the top choice when it comes to slow cooking appliances. It makes a wonderful gift for anyone really – yet I coined this slow cooker great for parents since it’s I’ve counted it’s blessings so many times since becoming a Mother. It really is my favorite appliance next to my single coffee brewer. The Designer Series Programmable Crock-Pot® Slow Cooker retails for $89.99 and can be found in store like Sears. It’s a great price for such a quality appliance!

 

Disclosure: I received product to facilitate this review, all opinions are my own.

 

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Comments

  1. Christina says

    I love making a hearty beef pot roast. Put in potatoes and carrots to round out the meal. So quick and easy and delicious!

    Reply

  2. Josee P says

    I love making stew in the crock-pot. It becomes so tender.
    Thanks for the giveaway 🙂

    Reply

  19. susan platana says

    okay i have to ask tammi, as i am not very electronically developed, what the heck is a stumble??? i have been seeing this pop up on a few sites lately and have no idea other than the obvious meaning. help me out!

    Reply

  27. Gvenny says

    I love to buy a roast of beef (any cut) from my hometown butcher shop (Bashaw Meats & Sausage Ltd.) and do it up in the crock pot with lots of onions, potatoes and carrots from our garden!

    Reply

  41. RBM says

    I follow you on twitter and tweeted-https://twitter.com/#!/daddykulit/status/139783478731472896

    Reply

  45. Ira says

    I don’t have a favorite thing to make in the slow cooker, because I don’t have the slow cooker 🙁 So hope to win this one 🙂

    Reply

  62. Emma Walpole says

    We use our crockpot all the time for pulled pork, would love a new one since the lid on ours is broken.

    Reply

  65. ginette4 says

    Love making crock pot chicken, chicken rubbed with spices, add some celery and carrots, so yummy

    Reply

  120. Karla Sceviour says

    I have never owned a slow cooker or cooked in one before,,but would love to make chili or stew in it!
    ksceviour at hotmail dot com

    Reply

  132. connie says

    Breakfast! I love waking up to warm oats, or quinoa and the smell of cinnamon in my kitchen! Makes the morning far less painful

    Reply

  158. lee roberts says

    RIBS! With my homemade secret sauce!! And if I win I’ll share it with you because my current one has a broken switch and was joping Santa would bring me a new one.

    Reply

  159. Hailey says

    I love making my taco soup….but I just made a most delicious beef dip that is certainly high on my list!

    Reply

  225. Teslaca says

    I love making a chicken slow cooker recipe that uses cream cheese for the sauce. It’s great!

    Reply

  234. Carrie says

    We use our crock pots a LOT! I love going to church on a Sunday morning and being able to come home to a nice warm crock pot of soup! I also like putting the leftover bones from chicken/turkey and cover with water. Cook overnight for a delicious and nutritious broth!

    Reply

  243. Heather M says

    Cream Cheese Chicken. It’s 5 ingredients and SUPER easy!

    .07oz Envelope of Italian Dressing Mix
    1/2 cup butter
    chicken breasts
    Cream of Chicken Soup (mushroom works well too)
    Block Cream Cheese

    Melt butter in bottom of slow cooker on high. Add in italian dressing mix until well dissolved. Add in chicken breasts and stir to coat. Cook on high for 2 hours.
    One chicken is cooked remove it. Add cream of soup and cream cheese to slow cooker. Cover and let sit for 10-15 minutes. Stir it to dissolve. Once fully dissolved and mixed in add chicken breasts back to slow cooker and stir to coat!

    Serve over rice or mashed potatoes. I like to serve it WITH mashed potatoes on the side. YUMMY!! This is a bit salty so maybe a low sodium cream soup would help!

    Reply

  306. Carol Gomez says

    As a busy WAHM, a slow cooker would be wonderful to own!
    I like to make hearty stews (especially beef stew since beef taste best when slow cooked) with the slow cooker.

    Reply

  315. Robyn L says

    Follow My Chaos {publicly with Google Friend Connect}
    do as Robyn L

    yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

    Reply

  330. hannasmom says

    My favorite meal to make in a slowcooker is Beef Dip, it always turns out so moist, tender and yummy 🙂

    Reply

    • hannasmom says

      Here is how i make it:
      Sliced onions on the bottom of the slowcooker.
      Pour soy sauce over the beef roast just to coat it about 1/4 – 1/2 cup approx
      Sprinkle with garlic powder and pepper (no salt)
      Add your favorite beef broth or boullion (1-2 cups not too salty brand)
      Cook and then remove from juice and slice beef or pull apart if it is super tender.
      Remove the onions to serve on the buns, and taste the broth and adjust the seasoning and add water if a bit too salty. Serve the juice for dipping. Yum 🙂

      Reply

  357. sonja says

    i love stew in the slow cooker
    Follow My Chaos {publicly with Google Friend Connect}
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  402. Kelly Grant says

    lately we have been doing pork barbque in it. But I also like making pot roast and chili

    Reply

  419. Heather! says

    I make a Cream Cheese Chicken dish in the crockpot which meets the standards of deliciosity (yep, made it up!) of even our picky kids! It’s definitely one of our faves!

    Thanks!
    h4schaffer at gmail dot com

    Reply

  430. Jen M says

    I’ve never made anything in the slow cooker as I don’t have one, but I’d love to try! I heard it’s super easy to cook in. I heard you can even make desserts in there!

    Reply

  444. Michelle jadaa says

    oh dear one favourite?……from meatballs to soup to a beef roast ,a crockpot is an appliance that is becoming popular again for putting a home cooked meal on the table after a busy day.
    mitch1066(at)gmail.com

    Reply

  505. Carla G says

    I love making desserts in the slow cooker… apple crisp & cherry cobbler are some of my favorites. 🙂

    Reply

  547. Amy T says

    My favorite thing to cook in a slow cooker is pulled pork (mines broken though- so I REALLY hope to win :p)

    Reply

  582. Michelle says

    LOVE crockpots. I make chicken and rice in them all the time — I use mine at least once a week!

    Reply

  641. saltedcaramel92 says

    When I was living at home my mom used to make this killer roast beef, so I would like to try that if I win 🙂

    Reply

  669. Nathania Hunter says

    My favorite thing to make is roast, and gravy….classic, easy, delicious! and if it’s been in there to long, I shred it up and mix it with bbq sauce and make pulled beef sandwiches.
    nathania.a at gmail dot com

    Reply

  674. Nathania Hunter says

    Have your blog button
    attachedtomyheart.blogspot.com
    nathania.a at gmail dot com

    Reply

  692. Kelley Johnsen says

    My favorite thing to make in the crokpot is roast. we roast beef for one day and then shred the leftovers for shredded tacos the next night. We love to have many other dishes on slow cook for the day, a lot of beans!

    kelleynutrition at gmail dot com

    Reply

  693. Kelley Johnsen says

    Following your blog through GFC as Kelley Johnsen

    kelleynutrition at gmail dot com

    Reply

  696. Kelley Johnsen says

    Added you to circle on google+ (kelley Johnsen)

    kelleynutrition at gmail dot com

    Reply

  758. Tammy says

    I love making stew in the slow cooker. With 2 kids i dont get much time to cook , 🙂 i find it very convenient i get to cook supper and play with my kids as well!

    Reply

  825. Jaque R. says

    I love a roast with potatoes and carrots…one of my favorite meals and so easy in a crock pot. 🙂 Thank you.

    Reply

  842. Marilyn Wons says

    Chili is my favorite dish to make in a slow cooker! It is easy and tastes so good!

    Reply

  857. Ann F says

    My favorite thing to make in a slow cooker are beef and pork roasts.

    abfantom at yahoo dot com

    Reply

  871. ChristineB says

    I don’t own a slow cooker, but would love to be able to cook all the fabulous foods I read about in online recipe sites. Chili, stew, pot roast, sweet and sour meatballs, etc.

    Reply

  879. Charlene Vidal says

    I love making a roast beef . Put in potatoes and carrots and whatever else you desire and let it cook for the day while your at work.

    Reply

  892. Brandy C says

    My fav thing to make in the crock pot is anything. After a long day at work coming home to a wonderful smell of something cooking is such a stress reliever and a great way to start the evening off right.

    Reply

  902. Suzanne K says

    So far (hint, hint) my favorite slow cooker meal is a whole chicken – way easy and so delicious!

    Reply

  909. Aliya D says

    My favourite thing to make in a Crock-Pot is definitely chili!!!! There is nothing more homey, warm, delicious than chili!!!! Or stews and soups… Please accept this as my mandatory entry. Thanks!

    Aliya D.
    aliyadaya(at)shaw(dot)ca

    Reply

  911. Aliya D says

    I subscribe to your blog via email under the below address. Thanks!

    Aliya D.
    aliyadaya(at)shaw(dot)ca

    Reply

  912. Aliya D says

    I Like your blog on Facebook under the below name. Thanks!

    Aliya D.
    aliyadaya(at)shaw(dot)ca

    Reply

  926. Vicky H. says

    I haven’t used a slow cooker before, but I love the pot roasts my friend and “grandmother” have made.

    Reply

  927. Yolanda says

    I love to make old fashion hearty and thick chilli. It’s perfect for those chilly hanging out at home days.

    Reply

  929. P Anderson says

    My most favorite thing to make in a crock pot…well, until my “old school” one recently broke…..is called “Cowboy Hearty Prarie Chili”….YUM

    Reply

  956. oscar says

    Cooking a turkey breast in the slow cooker couldn’t be any better forget the oven. Slow cooking provides a change from the old dry meat. Instead its full of flavor and moist. A definite must have for every kitchen.

    Reply

  959. Heather says

    I love to make chicken curries in the crockpot, and fortunately my kids love it too!
    heather at timm dot ca

    Reply

  962. Amy says

    My fave thing is chilli. I too have 2 awful crockpots one orange one from the 70’s and 1 small one from the 80’s ( that we inherited) with a huge dent in the side. I think someones dinner didn’t goes as planned and it went out the window. I am afraid to leave the house with these on which somewhat defeats the purpose. Would love to win a new “non firehazard” updated version!

    Reply