I got a cheap rival from WalMart several years ago. It is prgrammable, and works great for me.

Just saw one at CostCo, it had three individual smaller pots, side by side. I'm planning on getting one for myself, since I want several small amounts of things on the stove at once. The pots are removable of course, and it looks like it'll fit nicely on a crowded kitchen counter.

My big one is a Rival also, removable insert and haven't had a bit of trouble with it in the years I've had it. Also a CostCo buy.

I bought a programmable one several years ago, and I really did not like it. I went back to an OLD rival crockpot with the stoneware insert. The new ones seem to cook so much hotter that I finally gave up and went back to the old one. Then my daughter wanted an older one, so I found her one at a garage sale.
If I remember right, I wanted the programmable one to let me cook on high for several hours and then switch to low, but it wouldnt do that. The high setting was too much for all day, and the low setting didnt have an 8 hour button. OR something like that. IT may have been that I am just not good with change....LOL

I haven't tried this yet, but know ladies that have. There are now cooking bags to use in the crockpots. Like the cooking bags you did stuff in the oven in?? The bags help to make clean up a breeze!

I really like mine, found it at Walmart. It is a Hamilton Beach, wasn't expensive, and has a removeable liner. It also a large rubber ring that holds the lid on securely for traveling :D:D:D

My Rival was working fine after years but had several accidents with it when I transported it to church. Gave it away and bought the Hamilton Beach with the lid that you can lock on and it is really nice to not have to clean up the floorboard of the car. It came from Wal Mart too and was a little more expensive but worth it. If you never transport food, the Rival is fine.

These are great! You don't have to clean the crock. I use them when I'm using my 37 yr old Rival crockpot. The crock isn't removable. I also have a small 3 qt. Rival that's not programable and a 6qt. Rival that is programable. I like them all. Never had any trouble with any of them.

If was buying another regular slow-cooker (as opposed to induction/cast iron dutch oven which is my current preference) guess it would be another WestBend because of the shape...rectangular. Mine is still going strong, since 1979. I like the base offers more than just low-med-high. Also, MUCH easier clean-up. Again though...because of the rectangular shape. The pot works great on stove-top too, not just slow-cooker's base. It also had a 1" high grid/platform for baking inside the pot too. I've used on my stove-top for steaming salmon, veggies, and turkey breast, even for baking without the water. For stove-top steaming I just filled pot about 1" high with water...dropped in the "platform/grid" and placed a loaf pan in pot. Then put whatever I wanted to steam...turkey breast, or half salmon, or LOAD of veggies. The West Bend has just been so versitile, a hugh lighter weight so easier to handle. GREAT slow-cooker...PLUS. I love the ol thing... Bought one of the crock-type slow cookers which would handle 6 qts, but cooks much too high temperature, even on warm. NO comparison. Quess that temperature control issue is WHY is wanted the induction (mentioned above). Again, it also allows me to use whatever cooking container, whatever specific temp, etc. OK, promise not to write anymore about slow-cookers....maybe. Can you tell this is my fav way to cook? : - )
PS: Another negative I do NOT like about my 6 quart Hamilton Beach, besides excessively high temp, is the thing has THREE feet! There is no reason for them to be so cheap, and design without 4th foot to stabilize it. 6 qt hot food, balancing on tripod is not my idea of safety. Yes, it has a pretty face (pepper design) but I only use it if I have no other options. PLUS the heavy crock insert is a pain to clean. Never again.

We are still using our large one that we got when the kids were home. Had a Rival first but the cord went bad. Plan to get a new one soon...smaller than 8 qt. because it is just the 2 of us now. Understand that that work best when 2/3 full. I love them. Great for roasts,soups and pasta sauce

I'm new to the world of slow cookers, bought my first one a few weeks ago and how I wish I'd done it years ago. The cheaper cuts of meat come out softer than fillet steak. I'm still experimenting with recipes. I usually put mine on to cook just before we go to bed as the electricity is on the cheaper tarif from midnight to 8am, so its a winner all round for me.