I like to cook early in the day so I like putting it on in the morning and by dinner it's ready. Also, easy clean up with only 1 pot. I cook turkey legs in mine with broth and wine and also carrots, potatoes and onions. That and bread is all you need. I cook most of my things from scratch so I'm going to try homemade spaghetti sauce in it. Also, makes a nice beef stew. You don't have to watch it so you have all day to do what you want to do. I have the newer programmable one. I turn it on and when the time's up it goes to warm. I love it. We don't mind leftovers so we eat it for 2 nights and then have it for lunch or freeze it for another time.