Maxi-Matic MST-800V Elite Gourmet 8.5-Quart Stainless Steel Slow Cooker

Pros: I'm no cook, but this guy is good. Have done a few day-long recipes, but most have been cooking chicken to make dog food (and people snack food: I'm a bachelor). I can cook 8 leg quarters in one pot with some room to spare. Pretty impressive.

Cons: I have *not* had any of the heat issues mentioned in other reviews and my porcelain pot is very sturdy.

Pros: Large capacity

Cons: The outside of the unit gets hot enough to cause 2nd degree burns. I am sure that it would ignite a dish towel or paper towel if left touching. There seems to be no difference between the high and low settings. I would not dare leave this unit unattended or even go to bed with the unit working.

Other Thoughts: I called customer service and expressed my concerns about this unit. They said it was normal. I have owned 3 other slow cookers and never had one get so hot. They finally said they would send me a replacement unit. A month later I am still waiting and they no longer answer my emails.

Pros: Size, temperature. If you are dissuaded by some of the previous reviews, don't be. The stainless steel on the outside gets hot, but this thing cooks very well. Will be using it this weekend again for sure.

Cons: Stainless steel body emits lots of heat, must have space around the cooker while in use.

Other Thoughts: This isn't a complex concept. Energy flows into some wires that heat a large pot that slowly cooks food. All of these people complaining about the nuances of this device are not thinking logically about what this does. Just imagine a very tiny sun underneath a bowl with a lid.

Pros: Great slow cooker! 8.5qts can make a pretty hefty meal. This cooker works well.
Very good Value!

Cons: The fit of the glass lid could stand to be a tad better but works ok. I just wish it fit a little better.

Other Thoughts: We have a lot of power outages and brownouts that cause other cookers to shut off and stay off because of electronic controls getting reset, so I needed a manual cooker and this one is perfect. Nothing worse than coming home to a cold raw roast because of blip in the power!

Pros: Thanks NEWEGG. Bought 5 and wife thinks I'm crazy but this crock pot is EXCELLENT and hugh! Large for parties and works well for small cows>>> Teehee! Looks nice with other kitchen toys. I love to cook LARGE and this is the one for me.... Thanks again NEWEGG

Cons: Please folks read the description NEWEGG puts out. They did a great job saying what you are going to get. Right on NEWEGG

Other Thoughts: Can we say Wedding gifts?

Pros: Large capacity, heats food very hot

Cons: Cermaic glazing shows many (many hairline) cracks after it was stored for awhile. Spider crack on black glaze where white and all over the crock. I have used the crock four times, maybe five. Bottom of crock had a black powder on botton of crock when picked up to look at cracks (Rubbed off on hand). Possibly moisture was coming out crock after using and mold developed. I disposed of in the trash. Would not buy this brand again!

Pros: My wife or I use this at least once a week.. Works great and the price was right when I bought it

Cons: Gets Blazing sun hot!! the outside is super hot, you cant accidently bump it at all or you will be rubbing aloe on you skin.. if you have small children make sure it is pushed back so they dont get burned.

Other Thoughts: This still works great, I am not afraid of leaving it while im at work... with that said make sure you add a little more water than you normaly would, we have made chili, chicken tenderloins for fajita's, beef and pork roasts, chicken noodle soups and all have come out great, we usually put a bag in it so it is easier to clean and they have not melted yet.. I keep them off the outside stainless part.

Pros: Huge, 8.5 qt cap., Got it because it had a nob, instead of the buttons that all the new ones seem to be partial to. Works very well.

Cons: Big, but well.. its supposed to be

Pros: Large size.

Cons: I can tell no difference between low and high settings. It is NOT a slow cooker. You wouldn't dare leave it to cook all day, as it boils easily. Definately, do not buy this cooker unless you want a cooker that essentially cooks like a pot on a hot burner.

Pros: Pleasantly suprise by this crock. I bought this for my wife for xmas even though we had a 6 qt model crock pot. Thought it would be nice to get the large size as we have a family of 6. We have used it about 6 times and it has worked very well with a variety of dishes.

Cons: None really, but it seems to cook a little hotter than ones we've had in the past. Maybe that's because of the size.

Other Thoughts: If you have the need for a large Crock pot, you can't go wrong with this one. The previous comment about it not being "all stainless steel" is right...it's just the cover/perimeter wrapping but it is still an attractive, sturdy product.