Reply #4: Definitely get one with a removable ceramic insert.

[lakemonster11]

I've never seen one with a plastic top, mine is glass and I bought it last year.

There are different sizes and shapes (oval vs. round), but it's up to you which you think would work best.

I used my mom's old crockpot for a while before getting a new one, and the main difference I noticed was that the new cooker was a lot hotter. The same recipes that took 8 hours on the first slow cooker took about 6 hours on the new one. So if you're worried about overcooking, you might have to experiment slightly. But they don't categorically overcook potatoes, no.

I use "Fresh From the Vegetarian Slow Cooker" all the time. The recipes are really good, particularly the stews, soups, and chilis.

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/1558322566.01._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_AA240_SH20_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1558322566/002-1737516-0491258?v=glance&n=283155&n=1000&s=books&v=glance

This is the one I have:



http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00008I8NR/ref=pd_ts_k_16/002-1737516-0491258?v=glance&s=kitchen&n=289913