Crock-Pot 6 Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker with Digital Timer, Stainless Steel (CPSCVC60LL-S), Ideal for Portable Cooking

UPDATE: Feb. 17, 2015. I have used this Crock-Pot a dozen times since writing my review ... and it gets better and better! I've made casseroles, breakfast dishes, beans, roast, ribs, Mexican food dishes - all just great (including the chicken/rice recipe with the rice cooked in the Crock-Pot)! The stoneware liner is easy to clean and food is NOT sticking to the sides or bottom. Warmer feature is super and it does not appear to be too hot. I found that when a cooking time range is given, such as 6-8 hours, I should probably go with the low or middle part of the range. For someone who actually HATES to cook, I'm becoming a regular Betty Crocker, and even experimenting, because cooking is SO easy with this appliance. I'm SO glad I made this purchase! Now ... back to your regular programming with the original review ...----------------I have an old Crock-Pot and it still works, but is too small for a roast, etc. So I got this one for two reasons: 1) bigger, 2) can program the time and temperature setting. I've only used it twice and, at this point, I am extremely satisfied. Should things change, I most definitely will update.The programmable feature is really nice because you can set the cooking temperature on LOW or HIGH and set the cooking time in 30-minute increments all the way up to 20 hours. Some other "programmable" slow cookers have a few time/temp combination options but they are quite limited - this one gives you total control. Once the programmed cooking time is finished, the Crock-Pot automatically turns to "warm." The controls are touch (instead of turn dials) and very user-friendly. The user manual is small, but complete, and includes a couple recipes.My first dish: Breakfast Casserole (photo attached). Very tasty and the Crock-Pot worked perfectly. There was some extra browning around the edges so I probably need to adjust the cook time a bit ... and you'll have to do that with any slow cooker. Second dish: Hot Sausage Stew. Again, the appliance worked perfectly and the "warm" feature is great because the food finished cooking before I was ready to eat. Keep in mind: you may consider the "warm" temp to be hotter than you expect but that's because of government regulations, not the Crock-Pot.This Crock-Pot holds a LOT of food! I'm cooking for just me so I put some in the fridge and the rest in smaller containers in the freezer. And since I truly hate to cook, this is the best way to keep me out of the kitchen but still have good food to eat.The food I prepared didn't stick to the stoneware and it was super easy to clean. Just hot, soapy water and rinse. You can also put the stoneware and the glass lid in the dishwasher. I will probably never use the "carry" function but I did try the locked lid and the rubber seal is tight and should make it easy to take your dish to the potluck, etc. Just don't lock the lid while you're cooking!Bottom line: the ability to truly program the cooking time/temp ... and the "warm" function ... make this my top kitchen appliance (right along side my George Foreman grill). I'm actually looking for slow cooker recipes to try - and I can't believe I'm doing that! My old Crock-Pot is at least 15 years old and that's why I chose this brand. Because of the "computer" that allows the programming, I know the chances of it lasting that long are probably slim because the fancier you get, the more chances you have of something going wrong. But the price is right and, so far, I'm very happy with my purchase. Amazon shipping was fast and the slow cooker was packed in its original box with plenty of protection.

Used to twice for pot roast, works awesome, very easy to use

This is my first Crock Pot, and I'm rather excited about it because I have seen so many videos on YouTube as to just how handy these things are. Since I did watch so many videos, the instruction sheet was almost unnecessary, though the sheet does give you hints and tips on cooking several things, as well as the all-important list of what NOT to do, such as, "Do not cook with the lid clamped down." And while yes, there have been some who have complained that everything doesn't fit together snugly, that is probably deliberate in its design. Contraction and expansion is pretty well known to most people by now. Plus, if the heat was constantly in direct contact with the stoneware, it may not be as efficient. A little breathing room can go a long way.The first thing I made was pulled Buffalo chicken, and while I have to admit that the Crock Pot did exude a "New" aroma, it still made a damn fine meal, and it didn't taste like what I was smelling. After its first use, this "New" aroma was no longer present. It just needed some breaking in. Another great feature is that it automatically switches from cooking to warming mode when the cooking time expires. Personally, I think it would be nice to have an alarm when it goes from cooking to warming mode just so you know it's done. And while it does get pretty hot to the touch, the handles are comfortably cool enough to lift and move this if necessary, even when this is at its hottest.Pros: It's new, so I can't say just how long it will actually last, but Crock Pot is the industry leader. They invented this, so I went with them. Let's see what happens in 5 years.Its easy to set and forget.The fact that it automatically switches to warm mode when done is fantastic .The digital touch pad is great, but hopefully this won't be a con later on. Only time will tell if the circuitry behind this will last the test of time.The lid can be locked down so you can transport this and its contents.Cons: It is a bit wobbly. There are two feet in the front, and one in the back. Really people? Who got paid for this "innovation?" Would it be so difficult for you to simply make it with two in the front, and two in the back!?! This is my only design complaint. If I could, I would give this 4 1/2 stars, but since I can't, I'm rounding up and giving it 5 stars.Not really a con. Dummy me didn't think that having something cooking on the counter would NOT draw my cats to it. They smell all that good stuff going on within, and they want in on it.MY BOTTOM LINE: It's easily programmable, and it simply does what it is supposed to do. Who can ask for anything more? Oh wait, I can. A longer warranty would be appreciated, since it is only a one year warranty, and a more stable base. But other than that, I am very satisfied.