<p>Do you have a preference between Rival and Hamilton Beach? Are they considered equal?</p>
<p>I have both and they each function well. I can say, however, that my mom has had a hamilton beach for over 20 yrs and its still going strong!</p>
<p>I have this one:</p>
<p>[Programmable</a> Slow Cookers - 38501-W](<a href=“http://www.crock-pot.com/Product.aspx?cid=113&pid=1066]Programmable”>http://www.crock-pot.com/Product.aspx?cid=113&pid=1066)</p>
<p>It’s the “Crock Pot” brand. I use that one when I make things for picnics and parties at my house.</p>
<p>I also have a smaller 3 quart hamilton beach which is a travel type. It attaches the lid to the pot and has a traveling case. I love it.</p>
<p>I have an old Rival and a newer Rival as well. I actually prefer the old one, but it is too small for most occasions. I guess once the nest is empty, it will be perfect again, assuming it still works by then.</p>
<p>I was congratulating myself on picking up a Rival for fifteen dollars. Tomorrow (Weds)at Carson’s “one day sale”, they are selling five quart Hamilton Beach for 16.65. Why does anyone need five quart size? Well, they may be in a chili cook off! Are there any design issues that makes one superior? They both appear round rather than oval.</p>
<pre><code>Thanks
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<p>Newer crock pots seem to run hotter IMHO I buy the simple ones with stoneware pot that lifts out with a simple dial, but I get the ones that have warm, low and high as low can be too high for really slow all day cooking. I stay away from digital or fancy settings. My old standby came with a great padded zip cover for traveling to events with, and a big white rubber band to hold the lid to the pot. It was cheap at Walmart. </p>
<p>My small one is Hamilton Beach–? 2 quart. It is perfect for two with some leftovers. I have a bigger one–I think it is 6 quary-- for when the kids are all home with friends/crowds. It is a Corningware (made by Rival).</p>
<p>An oval one is great to lay a roast in. I used to have to stand it up on my smaller round one. Today I used my tiny one (2-qt) for a smaller amount of chili.</p>
<p>I cook whole chickens with vegetables in my large oval crockpot. The small one couldn’t do that! It’s also great for pot roast and brisket.</p>
<p>I donated my round ones because I’m usually putting in frozen meats and they just don’t fit! I’ve had very good luck with Hamilton Beach products and really like the two I have now. This one, with the clip-on lid, is nice if you’re taking it elsewhere. I use it alot when I have friends/family who are ill as I can drop it off on my way to work and know that their dinner will be ready with no extra effort on their part:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Hamilton+Beach+-+Stay+or+Go+4-Quart+Slow+Cooker/9960613.p;jsessionid=3BD809F3FB44D0BDC15654535AFC17D5.bbolsp-app04-44?id=1218202033789&skuId=9960613[/url]”>http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Hamilton+Beach+-+Stay+or+Go+4-Quart+Slow+Cooker/9960613.p;jsessionid=3BD809F3FB44D0BDC15654535AFC17D5.bbolsp-app04-44?id=1218202033789&skuId=9960613</a></p>
<p>Yes, the newer crockpots do run hotter. They say it is for hygiene reasons.</p>
<p>I like my 3-in-1 crockpot, with 3 crocks (2qt, 4qt, 6qt). But it is only a good choice if you have enough storage room - the handles make it wide. More info in this other crockpot thread
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/1015794-slow-cooker-recommendations.html?highlight=crockpot[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/1015794-slow-cooker-recommendations.html?highlight=crockpot</a></p>
<p>I luv crockpot cooking! I have them in small and large sized, but my favoirte in an oval 6 qt. and it is actually a slow cooker that can also be placed on a stove burner to heat up any left overs. My is a westbend versatility</p>
<p>Thanks to all. Plus you brought up additional issues I’ll mull over. </p>
<p>Once or twice a year, I would cook turkey legs, brown rice, carrots and Knorr leek soup in my smaller crock pot. Challenging sometimes to jigsaw puzzle two turkey legs in there and close the lid. </p>
<pre><code>I learned to never get rid of an old crock pot with ceramic liner. Hey, those big old liners could be planters! See the decluttering thread.
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<p>“learned to never get rid of an old crock pot with ceramic liner. Hey, those big old liners could be planters!” - I gave mine away on Freecycle (even with a loose knob). Planter is a good idea too.</p>
<p>My new crockpot has 2qt, 4qt, and 6qt crocks. I suspect the only time I will use the 6qt is for pea soup, since room was tight in the old crockpot for ham bone, peas, carrots, etc. Luckily the crocks all stack.</p>
<p>My other question on Hamilton Beach vs Rival was: Which would be more energy efficient? Or any other advice on energy efficiency in crock pots.</p>
<p>In general, crockpots are known to be energy efficient. They are on a long time, but they use lots less energy than an oven. My guess is that there is not significant difference on energy usage. </p>
<p>Select the crockpot based on what features you like. My dad’s wife takes food to church a lot, so I got her the one with built-in lid clips. (I have read the clips can be a pain, so I opted to not get them for myself because we don’t transport food in the crockpot.)</p>
<p>A removable crock is the best way to go. I think all new crockpots probably have that feature.</p>