Rival Scr200-w 2qt Slow Cooker

Comment: I've had this little crock pot for nearly a year and I use it much more often than my big fancy programmable slow cooker. The 2qt size is just right for heating up frozen bricks of homemade soup, stew, spaghetti sauce, etc. Put something frozen in at breakfast time and it's ready for lunch. Because the high setting runs hot it can simmer leftover meat and veg to make stock, and it's also good for cooking other long-simmer foods such as beans, lentils and wheat berries. Or just regular crock-pot meals for one or two people. It doesn't take up much counter space, either. Not so useful for a large family perhaps, but it's ideal for mine.

Comment: What's the point of a 2 quart cooker? (8 cups?) Most stews and soups or roasts need a bigger cooker, but if you like to entertain, a small crock pot with removable liner is great for appetizers like chile con queso, (or my fave, camarones con queso, shrimp and cheese dip.) You can keep hot dips like spinach dip, seven layer dip or melted cheese hot. Also good for hot dessert sauces. If you like to entertain buffet-style, a small crock pot is endlessly useful. You can even use it for fondue, either cheese/bread or chocolate/cake/fruit for dessert. This one is plain and simple, has low and high settings and does the job.

Theoretically, you could use this if you want to slow cook and you are the only diner at home. I think the limitations on the size of foods you can put in it make that a poorer choice than a standard size crock, but if you hate leftovers, it might work for you.