Slow Cooker/Crock Pot - 2 or 4 quart?

[Parrothead_Mike]

We've got a large 7 quart crock pot, but since most of our RV travels include just my wife and I, especially when we go to Florida, I was wondering whether we should purchase a 2 qt. or 4 qt. size to take in the RV. I looked at both sizes recently and wondered what you would be able to cook in the 2 qt. since it's kinda small, but it is small and doesn't take up much room. Is 2 qt. too small? Does anyone really use this size? Any thoughts on these two sizes would be appreciated.

[anninsd2]

I have a 4 and a 5 qt crock pot but don't carry both of them in the RV. I also have a 1 1/2 qt crockette. I love that little guy. There are lots of recipes for the crockette. Around Christmas time WalMart sells them cheap. Like under $12.00.

I can make beef stew in the crockette for the two of us, but it is especially good for vegetable dishes. It does not burn or boil like the biggers crocks do.

Ann

[SWMO]

Impkitti wrote:
But I have found I need to use the low setting. For some reason the electricity seems "hotter" (and I see you rolling your eyes!) It could be the extra insulation from the sink.

Actually the voltage can be higher in a resistive heat scenario and as long as it isn't significantly higher there is no harm, just a higher heat.
I cook baked beans in ours over a long period of time using warm.

[Impkitti]

R installed an inverter in our Rig and I used a 2 quart. It fits nicely in the sink and it is so nice to have dinner ready at the end of a long drive.

The 2 quart is fine for just the two of us. But I have found I need to use the low setting. For some reason the electricity seems "hotter" (and I see you rolling your eyes!) It could be the extra insulation from the sink.

[SWMO]

In the defense of 2qt crocks, I have to point out they work great for baked beans. I also use ours quite often to cook meat for Mexican, chicken breast or thighs for instance. They aren't useless, IMO, just more limited than a 4qt.

[doxiemom11]

I bought a 2 qt when my larger one died. I hate it. Because it is so small it boils everything - no such thing as "slow" cooking. It also is not big enough for some things I think about preparing - such as a roast big enough to have leftovers for a 2nd meal, or to make another dish with. I will be replacing it with a bigger one again.

[Parrothead_Mike]

Thanks for all the input. After reading over the replies my wife and I think we'll go with the 4 quart. Not only is it larger, but if we end up making a bit more than we need for one meal we'll use the leftovers the next day or two.

[Raften]

4 quart, we cook ten pounds of chicken often.

[NCWriter]

I picked up a brand new boxed 2 quart at my sister-in-law's favorite thrift store for peanuts a while back and took it along on our most recent trip.

Worked out well because we have such limited space for extra appliances, and it made four servings. So that was two nights in a row for the two of us. I just cut the recipes in half. The smaller one heats up very fast and so gets the job done faster than my big one at home.

(Gail, I just folded those big liners under and poked the excess into the little handles, and it actually worked fine.)

[2_Retired]

Its a no brainer. 2 Qt is just too small!

[SWMO]

We use a 2 qt for some things, but I would never have it as my only CP. There are just some soups, chilies and stews that can only be made in amounts above 2 qts.

[GailS]

We use a 4qt and think you will find it much more useful than anything smaller. I use the slow cooker liners for easy cleanup and they are too large for a 2qt. Lots of recipes out there for a 4qt and actually use it more than my 6qt at home.

[Super_Dave]

My 2 quart has become a dedicated warm appetizer / fondue pot. LOL!

[Parrothead_Mike]

bcsd guy: Yeah, I know Coloma fairly well. I grew up in Hartford, but live about 30+ miles further east now after living in the U.P. and northern Michigan for about 25 years. Paw Paw Lake, the old Wil-O-Paw bowling alley, Deer Forest, PP Lake Golf Course, the Loma in Coloma. 🙂

[bcsdguy]

In your situation I would get the 4 qt. You can always make something smaller in the 4 qt but the 2 qt is usually not large enough. JMO
By the way, I grew up in SW Michigan in little town called Coloma. Do you know the town?