# Slow Cookers versus Crock Pots **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 23, 2010, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-cookers-versus-crock-pots/533515 "2010-03-23T18:49:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-cookers-versus-crock-pots/533515/1 "2010-03-23T18:49:17Z")
I was just given a book about slow cooking. I don’t have a slow cooker and don’t plan to get one. But I have a crock pot with a high and low setting. Is it an acceptable substitute? ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-cookers-versus-crock-pots/533515/2 "2010-03-23T18:51:04Z")
I thought that Crock Pot was the brand name and slow cooker was the generic name. ---
**Author:** ![Walkabout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/46a35a/32.png) [@Walkabout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walkabout)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-cookers-versus-crock-pots/533515/3 "2010-03-23T18:52:18Z")
Yes, a Crock Pot is a brand of slow cooker. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-cookers-versus-crock-pots/533515/4 "2010-03-23T18:52:35Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > I thought that Crock Pot was the brand name and slow cooker was the generic name. That is it- Crock-Pot is made by Rival. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-cookers-versus-crock-pots/533515/5 "2010-03-23T19:03:43Z")
So my ignorance is fought on two levels. Bravo! Now to slow cook something good. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-cookers-versus-crock-pots/533515/6 "2010-03-23T19:05:45Z")
By the way, nothing against the other manufacturers, but my out of warranty Crock Pot broke something a few months ago that was just a nice feature - a little hinge dealy that allowed me to lift up the removable washable lid and keep it propped up so I didn’t have to put it somewhere. I figured it was a wash, but my boyfriend convinced me to e-mail Rival and they sent me a new, even better one - completely free. So I can attest that they definitely stand behind their product. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-cookers-versus-crock-pots/533515/7 "2010-03-23T19:13:50Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > I thought that Crock Pot was the brand name and slow cooker was the generic name. When I say ‘crock pot’ I mean a slow cooker that contains a crockery pot. When I say ‘slow cooker’ I mean an oblong metal pot (with a heavy glass lid) that sits on top of a heated base. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-cookers-versus-crock-pots/533515/8 "2010-03-23T19:19:47Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > By the way, nothing against the other manufacturers, but my out of warranty Crock Pot broke something a few months ago that was just a nice feature - a little hinge dealy that allowed me to lift up the removable washable lid and keep it propped up so I didn’t have to put it somewhere. I figured it was a wash, but my boyfriend convinced me to e-mail Rival and they sent me a new, even better one - completely free. So I can attest that they definitely stand behind their product. They sent you a new lid, or a new crockpot? Because _that_ would really be something. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-cookers-versus-crock-pots/533515/9 "2010-03-23T19:25:26Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > When I say ‘crock pot’ I mean a slow cooker that contains a crockery pot. When I say ‘slow cooker’ I mean an oblong metal pot (with a heavy glass lid) that sits on top of a heated base. Ah, this is the exact thing I had in mind when I posted the OP. Can I use my crockery crock-pot in place of the self-heating metal pot? ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-cookers-versus-crock-pots/533515/10 "2010-03-23T19:39:21Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > They sent you a new lid, or a new crockpot? Because _that_ would really be something. Whole new appliance. And they don’t make my model anymore, so it’s their newest and best one. They didn’t want the old one back or anything, either. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-cookers-versus-crock-pots/533515/11 "2010-03-23T19:40:25Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Whole new appliance. And they don’t make my model anymore, so it’s their newest and best one. They didn’t want the old one back or anything, either. :eek: Okay, you’ve made a CrockpotTM fan out of me. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-cookers-versus-crock-pots/533515/12 "2010-03-23T19:48:46Z")
> [@Hypno-Toad](#): > > Ah, this is the exact thing I had in mind when I posted the OP. Can I use my crockery crock-pot in place of the self-heating metal pot? For what I cook, I’ve noticed no real difference between using the crock pot and the slow-cooker. My crock pot is pretty huge. (Got it from a friend at a garage sale for $2. Can’t complain.) I’d have to wash the crockery in the deep sink, since my kitchen sink is one of those stupid divided kinds where half of it is half-size. With the metal slow-cooker pot, I can wash it in the sink. And it’s big enough for a pound of beans and a couple of ham hocks. I use the crock pot for corned beef and cabbage, which won’t fit in the slow-cooker. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-cookers-versus-crock-pots/533515/13 "2010-03-23T21:43:44Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > Okay, you’ve made a CrockpotTM fan out of me. Two words, hyphenated: Crock-Pot® ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-cookers-versus-crock-pots/533515/14 "2010-03-24T02:28:42Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > By the way, nothing against the other manufacturers, but my out of warranty Crock Pot broke something a few months ago that was just a nice feature - a little hinge dealy that allowed me to lift up the removable washable lid and keep it propped up so I didn’t have to put it somewhere. I figured it was a wash, but my boyfriend convinced me to e-mail Rival and they sent me a new, even better one - completely free. So I can attest that they definitely stand behind their product. Got a model number for the one with the hinge dealie? ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-cookers-versus-crock-pots/533515/15 "2010-03-25T07:38:43Z")
I have also seen the argument that the crockpot differs in that it is impossible to scorch food as it cooks for long periods of time, while it is possible to scorch food in a metal slow cooker. Which is absolutely correct, but if you have a slow cooker with multiple heat settings (low setting )and it is a properly moist method as most crock-pot recipes are, then you will not experience any burning/scorching. The only time I had some scorching in my slowcooker was due to my error of letting it go too long on a high setting. I also accidently-deliberately scorched/crisped the bottom of a meatloaf that I made in my slowcooker, which is something I would probably not cook in a crock-pot as it is not beat suited. The slow cooker, however had a high enough setting that it made a great meatloaf with caramelized characteristics. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-cookers-versus-crock-pots/533515/16 "2010-03-25T10:03:31Z")
I also have a big 6 quart rival that I wouldn’t part with… But I’m often in a camping RV setting. in the field, If I were going into the Military, College, Peace Corps, living in an RV, or an Actor in an RV I would unequanimously, indubiably, positively, choose the variable setting slowcooker. It can be the Transformer (Optimus Prime) of the third world. A computer and a slowcooker in every home. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-cookers-versus-crock-pots/533515/17 "2010-03-25T10:52:03Z")
I think slowcookers should be allowed in Prisons. Give every prisoner the dignity of making dinner. They should be able to get decent food to eat, rather than the rationed prison under the table capitalist deal of Prison Package processed food commissaries. The “real food” in prison is blackmarket, should that be so? Develop prison safe individual slowcookers for inmates. Same safeguards as the top dollar prison TV’s and Radios/CD players. ---
**Author:** ![belladonna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9fc29f/32.png) [@belladonna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/belladonna)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-cookers-versus-crock-pots/533515/18 "2010-03-25T12:10:27Z")
They don’t trust them with anything but sporks now, but you think cooking utensils (the knives, the spearing forks!) along with boiling hot liquids are a good idea? 🙂 Anyway, just to clarify, it sounds to me like you guys are talking about roasters–the metal rounded-rectangle shaped ones. Is there some third permutation I am unaware of? What’s the difference in how they cook? ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-cookers-versus-crock-pots/533515/19 "2010-03-26T05:39:15Z")
> [@devilsknew](#): > > I think slowcookers should be allowed in Prisons. Give every prisoner the dignity of making dinner. They should be able to get decent food to eat, rather than the rationed prison under the table capitalist deal of Prison Package processed food commissaries. The “real food” in prison is blackmarket, should that be so? > > Develop prison safe individual slowcookers for inmates. Same safeguards as the top dollar prison TV’s and Radios/CD players. Umm, WTF? ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-cookers-versus-crock-pots/533515/20 "2010-03-26T11:45:35Z")
> [@belladonna](#): > > Anyway, just to clarify, it sounds to me like you guys are talking about roasters–the metal rounded-rectangle shaped ones. Is there some third permutation I am unaware of? What’s the difference in how they cook? [insert type](http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-33162H-6-Quart-Cooker/dp/B001I9R2HQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1269603806&sr=8-3) [warming from the bottom type](http://www.amazon.com/West-Bend-84905-5-Quart-Oblong-Shaped/dp/B001AH5H0A/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1269603806&sr=8-7) (not a roaster) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slow-cookers-versus-crock-pots/533515.md?page=2)