Crock-Pot, The Original Slow Cooker - Review & Giveaway

I LOVE getting small appliances as gifts (hint hint Santa), not all people do though, so tread lightly... maybe not the best choice for a new boy/girlfriend, hehe.

My old store-brand slow cooker had seen better days, not only had I melted the top handle in an early morning, pre-coffee kitchen disaster, it's LCD display no longer worked, making the setting of cook times a bit tricky.  Needless to say I jumped at the chance to review a new programmable Crock-Pot, the Smart-Pot.

Crock-Pots have come a long way in function and in looks since they arrived on the scene in 1971.  I love the appearance of this new model that was sent to me, the stainless and black fits right in with all my other kitchen appliances and gadgets.  While I would like to have total control of cooking time, I do like how you simply push one button to select your cooking time; High for 4 or 6 hours or Low for 8 or 10 hours.  (FYI: The next model up the SCCPVC603HSS does have the LCD and allows you to select time and temperature).

Back to function, it was time to start putting this Crock-Pot to the test...

The first recipe I wanted to try out was one of the overnight breakfast casseroles.  While I'm still tweaking the recipe, I loved how evenly the Crock-Pot cooked, it seemed to keep an stable temperature and I couldn't find any hot spots.  The stoneware cooking insert is also very easy to clean... cheese and egg are never fun to scrub off, but it came right off in hot soapy water with just a dishcloth and little effort (the stoneware and lid are dishwasher safe, I just always wash them by hand due to their size).

Next on to one of my favourite Crock-Pot meals, RIBS!  I had a new packet of rib spice I wanted to try, lots of ribs in the freezer and a husband with puppy-dog eyes so it was meant to be.

The large 6-qt stoneware is more than big enough to handle two full racks of back ribs (if you've made the original rib recipe I posted, you know I like to cook the ribs on their side, so that they aren't fully submersed in liquid while cooking).

8 hours on low, reduce the cooking liquids into a thick sauce and then pop the ribs under the broiler for 10 minutes, basting every 2 and you got yourself some mean ribs... Hubby says I'm still the reigning Queen of Ribs.

No surprise really that I have no complaints about the Crock-Pot, I don't think I could ever be without one.  If I hadn't received this one to review and was to go out today to shop for one, I might buy the one that is fully programmable with timer and the hinged lid... but those are simply extra options that suit my personal wants, and really I probably should have two of them anyway, right? (hehehe)

Crock-Pot has also provided me with a gift for one of my readers. The winner will receive both a Lunch-Crock and a Crock-Pot cookbook (colour and title may vary from the example I have shown).

Photo credit: www.crock-pot.ca

I've got a little crush on this Lunch-Crock, it would have been perfect for me back in my office days.  It has a 20oz capacity and the food storage container and lid are dishwasher-safe.  For your chance to win, simply complete the Rafflecopter below.  This giveaway is open to readers with Canadian addresses only.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  I was provided a Crock-Pot to review and prize to gift to a reader, but no other compensation was provided.  All opinions on my blog are my own and are never for sale.