CROCK POT SCRC501-SS Countdown Slow Cooker Review

November of 2008 I received a SCRC501-SS 5 quart Crockpot countdown slow cooker. I have always enjoyed using a slow cooker because I like easy cook dishes. Anytime I can toss all the ingredients into one pot, baking dish, roasting pan or stoneware insert and place on the stovetop, in the oven, or into the slow cooker and walk away while it cooks, frees up time and creates happiness for me. This slow cooker replaces my smaller un-programmable one (which I still occasionally use). The fact that it is programmable is my number one favorite feature. It can be programmed to cook for 30 minutes to 20 hours and the digital display counts down as it cooks and then turns itself to warm when done (it also beeps to let you know). Both the stoneware insert and clear glass lid are dishwasher safe. Monday's are my typical grocery shopping day for the week and most weeks I use this Crockpot to prepare a soup, stew, or chili for the week. Sometimes I prep the ingredients and wait until Tuesday to cook. This 5 quart capacity provides around 5-6 meals for two people. Very economical to use; does not use a lot of electricity to operate and I usually purchase challenged produce that has been marked down, so I only spend about $6 - $10 per pot (depending on how much produce has been marked down and whether or not I add meat).