When my dh and I married back in 1977 right out of high school, the teachers at our school bought us a slow cooker and it was the best gift ever. I have had to buy several since then and I always buy the slow cooker. Mine is oval shaped and sits on a warming tray. They have all been made by West Bend. For years it was nice to put something on to cook in the mornings and then it would be ready by supper time. When our sons were still living at home I used it a lot more than I do now. However I still use it at least once a week.