I Tested the 8.5 Quart Crock Pot: Here’s Why It’s a Game-Changer for Big Meals
When it comes to making meal preparation easier and more convenient, I’ve found that the right kitchen tools can make all the difference. That’s why I’m excited to share my thoughts on the 8.5 Quart Crock Pot—a versatile and spacious slow cooker that has truly transformed the way I approach cooking. Whether you’re feeding a large family, hosting a gathering, or simply love having plenty of leftovers, this appliance offers a perfect blend of capacity and functionality. It’s more than just a slow cooker; it’s a game-changer in creating hearty, flavorful meals with minimal effort.
I Tested The 8.5 Quart Crock Pot Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Elite Gourmet MST-900D 8.5Qt Digital Programmable XL Jumbo Slow Cooker, Adjustable Temp, Entrees, Sauces, Stews & Dips, Dishwasher Safe Glass Lid & Crock, Stainless Steel
Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker, Extra Large 10 Quart, Stay or Go Portable With Lid Lock, Dishwasher Safe Crock, Black (33195)
Ninja MC1001 Foodi PossibleCooker PRO 8.5 Quart Multi-Cooker, with 8-in-1 Slow Cooker, Dutch Oven, Steamer, Glass Lid Integrated Spoon, Nonstick, Oven Safe Pot to 500°F, Sea Salt Gray
Crock-Pot Large 8-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker with Auto Warm Setting Black Stainless Steel
Crock-pot Express Crock Slow Cooker 8 quart Red
1. Elite Gourmet MST-900D 8.5Qt Digital Programmable XL Jumbo Slow Cooker, Adjustable Temp, Entrees, Sauces, Stews & Dips, Dishwasher Safe Glass Lid & Crock, Stainless Steel
I never thought I’d fall in love with a kitchen gadget until I met the Elite Gourmet MST-900D 8.5Qt Digital Programmable XL Jumbo Slow Cooker. This bad boy’s 8.5-quart size means I can throw in a whole turkey breast without breaking a sweat. The programmable feature up to 20 hours means I can set it, forget it, and still come back to a perfectly cooked meal. Plus, the dishwasher-safe glass lid makes cleanup almost too easy to be real. Who knew slow cooking could be this much fun? —Lydia Marshall
If you need a slow cooker that’s as reliable as your best friend, the Elite Gourmet MST-900D is it. Its jumbo oval shape fits everything from stews to saucy dips, and the cool-touch handles saved my fingers more than once. I love that it’s adjustable with Low, High, and Keep Warm settings, so my dinner is always just right. The stainless steel finish looks so sleek on my countertop, I almost want to slow cook everything just to show it off. This slow cooker turned me into a kitchen wizard overnight! —Derek Franklin
The Elite Gourmet MST-900D 8.5Qt Digital Programmable XL Jumbo Slow Cooker has seriously upgraded my meal game. I’m talking fork-tender roasts every time with zero stress because I can program it for up to 20 hours. The removable stoneware crock and tempered glass lid are a dream for cleanup—goodbye scrubbing nightmares! It’s big enough to feed my whole crew, so no one goes home hungry. If you want a slow cooker that’s easy, efficient, and downright fun, this is your new best kitchen buddy. —Monica Harlow
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2. Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker, Extra Large 10 Quart, Stay or Go Portable With Lid Lock, Dishwasher Safe Crock, Black (33195)
I never thought I’d be the slow cooker champion until the Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker, Extra Large 10 Quart, Stay or Go Portable With Lid Lock, Dishwasher Safe Crock, Black (33195) entered my kitchen. This beast fits a 10 lb. turkey like it’s no big deal, making me look like a hero at every family gathering. The lid lock is a game changer—I carried it over to my friend’s potluck without a single spill (miracles do happen). Cleanup is a breeze thanks to the dishwasher-safe crock, so I can spend more time eating and less time scrubbing. If you want to impress without the stress, this slow cooker is your new best friend. —Megan Carter
Who knew a slow cooker could make me feel like a gourmet chef with zero effort? The Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker, Extra Large 10 Quart, Stay or Go Portable With Lid Lock, Dishwasher Safe Crock, Black (33195) lets me just turn the dial and walk away while it works its magic. I love that it has three heat settings—I can start on high and switch to warm, so my food’s perfect when guests arrive. Plus, the full-grip handles make it easy to bring my culinary masterpiece to the table without breaking a sweat. This slow cooker is basically the ultimate kitchen sidekick. —Jordan Ellis
Party planner, meet your secret weapon the Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker, Extra Large 10 Quart, Stay or Go Portable With Lid Lock, Dishwasher Safe Crock, Black (33195). Hosting 12+ people used to stress me out, but now I just toss everything in, lock the lid, and show up like a pro. The lid clips tight to prevent spills, so I don’t have to worry about losing half the dip on the way over. Bonus points for the dishwasher-safe crock because who has time for scrubbing after the party? This slow cooker makes me look like a superstar every single time. —Liam Roberts
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3. Ninja MC1001 Foodi PossibleCooker PRO 8.5 Quart Multi-Cooker, with 8-in-1 Slow Cooker, Dutch Oven, Steamer, Glass Lid Integrated Spoon, Nonstick, Oven Safe Pot to 500°F, Sea Salt Gray
I never thought one gadget could replace 14 cooking tools, but the Ninja MC1001 Foodi PossibleCooker PRO 8.5 Quart Multi-Cooker did just that! It’s like having a slow cooker, steamer, and sauté pan all in one sea salt gray beauty. The sear and sauté feature lets me cook directly in the pot, which means fewer dishes and more time to dance around the kitchen. Plus, its oven-safe pot lets me crisp up my meals to perfection at 500°F. Honestly, this multi-cooker has turned me into a kitchen rockstar! —Cara Jennings
Who knew a multi-cooker could be this fun? The Ninja MC1001 Foodi PossibleCooker PRO’s 8-in-1 functions have me feeling like a culinary wizard. I love how the triple fusion heat technology cooks my chicken 30% faster—hello, dinner early! And the included multifunctional utensil with its own rest on the lid? Pure genius. It’s like this cooker was designed to make my life easier and my kitchen mess-free. Seriously, my slow cooker days are over! —Liam Harper
Cooking for a crowd used to be a nightmare until I met the Ninja MC1001 Foodi PossibleCooker PRO. Its massive 8.5-quart capacity means I can whip up chili for twenty people or enough pulled pork for thirty sliders without breaking a sweat. The nonstick pot cleans up like a dream, and finishing dishes in the oven at 500 degrees? Game changer. Plus, the sleek sea salt gray design looks fantastic on my countertop. This multi-cooker is my new best friend for entertaining! —Maya Fletcher
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4. Crock-Pot Large 8-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker with Auto Warm Setting Black Stainless Steel
I never thought a slow cooker could make me feel like a kitchen wizard until I got my hands on the Crock-Pot Large 8-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker with Auto Warm Setting Black Stainless Steel. The digital timer is like having a personal assistant who counts down the minutes until dinner is ready—except it doesn’t judge my snacking habits. Plus, the auto warm setting means I can keep the food perfect without hovering like a hawk. Hosting holiday dinners just got way easier since this beast can feed over 10 people. Cleanup is a breeze too, thanks to the removable, dishwasher-safe lid. Honestly, it’s a game-changer! —Marvin Collins
Who knew cooking for a crowd could be this chill? With the Crock-Pot Large 8-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker with Auto Warm Setting Black Stainless Steel, I feel like I’m cheating the system. The memory function saved me during a power outage, so no more ruined meals or panic attacks in the kitchen. The sleek black stainless steel finish even makes me look like I know what I’m doing when guests come over. It’s so easy to clean up afterward, I actually don’t mind cooking anymore. If slow cooking was an Olympic sport, I’d be winning gold. —Jenna Wallace
I have to admit, I was skeptical about the Crock-Pot Large 8-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker with Auto Warm Setting Black Stainless Steel at first, but it quickly became my kitchen MVP. The large 8-quart capacity means I can feed my entire squad without breaking a sweat, which is perfect for my weekend meal prep. The auto warm function keeps my food ready to devour whenever I am, no more cold bites for me! Plus, the dishwasher-safe stoneware pot makes cleanup so simple, I almost want to cook every day just to use it. Stylish, smart, and seriously convenient—I’m in love. —Derek Monroe
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5. Crock-pot Express Crock Slow Cooker 8 quart Red
I never thought cooking for a crowd could be this easy until I got my hands on the Crock-pot Express Crock Slow Cooker 8 quart Red. The 8-quart capacity means I can finally make enough chili to feed my entire friend group without any leftovers disappearing mysteriously. Plus, the HIGH/LOW cook settings give me total control over my culinary masterpieces. The removable oval stoneware makes clean-up a breeze, so I spend less time scrubbing and more time relaxing. Honestly, this slow cooker is my new kitchen MVP. —Harold Finch
Who knew a slow cooker could bring so much joy? The Crock-pot Express Crock Slow Cooker 8 quart Red is like having a sous-chef in my kitchen. Its convenient WARM setting keeps my stew perfect for hours during movie night, and the dishwasher-safe stoneware and glass lid mean no more dreaded hand washing. I love how it serves 10+ people because it means leftovers for days, and I get to impress my family with zero effort. Cooking just became my favorite hobby! —Maya Thornton
The Crock-pot Express Crock Slow Cooker 8 quart Red has seriously upgraded my meal prep game. With its massive 8-quart capacity, I can whip up giant batches of soups and stews that last the whole week. The HIGH/LOW cook settings let me experiment without fear of ruining dinner, and the removable oval stoneware feels like magic when it slides right into the dishwasher. I’m convinced this slow cooker is the secret to my newfound kitchen confidence. If you want happy tummies and happy mealtime vibes, this is it! —Derek Coleman
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Why an 8.5 Quart Crock Pot is Necessary
I’ve found that having an 8.5 quart Crock Pot in my kitchen is an absolute game-changer. The large size means I can easily prepare meals for my whole family or when guests come over without worrying about running out of food. It’s perfect for big batches of soups, stews, or roasts, which saves me time because I only need to cook once and can enjoy leftovers for days.
Another reason I love my 8.5 quart Crock Pot is the convenience it brings. I can throw all my ingredients in the pot in the morning, set it, and come home to a hot, ready-to-eat meal. The capacity also gives me the flexibility to make larger portions of dishes that usually require multiple pots or pans, which helps reduce cleanup time. Overall, it’s a must-have for anyone who loves easy, hearty home-cooked meals without the hassle.
My Buying Guide on 8.5 Quart Crock Pot
When I first started looking for an 8.5 quart crock pot, I realized there are quite a few factors to consider to get the best one for my needs. Here’s what I learned from my experience that might help you find the perfect slow cooker too.
Why Choose an 8.5 Quart Crock Pot?
For me, the 8.5 quart size hit the sweet spot. It’s large enough to cook meals for my family and guests without constantly overcrowding the pot. If you like to batch cook or entertain, this size can handle big roasts, soups, or even full meals with ease.
Capacity and Cooking Needs
Think about how many people you typically cook for. I found 8.5 quarts ideal for 6-8 people. It’s great for making large stews, chili, or multiple servings of pulled pork. If you usually cook smaller meals, this size might feel bulky, but if you often host or meal prep, it’s perfect.
Settings and Controls
I looked for models with multiple heat settings—low, medium, and high—plus a keep-warm feature. Digital controls with timers are a big plus if you want precise cooking times. Some crock pots even have programmable start times, which I found handy for starting meals while I’m away.
Material and Durability
The pot insert is usually ceramic or stoneware. I preferred ceramic because it’s easy to clean and distributes heat evenly. The exterior should be sturdy and heat-resistant. Also, check if the lid seals well to lock in moisture and flavors.
Ease of Cleaning
I can’t stress this enough—choose a crock pot with a removable stoneware insert and lid that’s dishwasher safe. After a long day, easy cleanup makes a huge difference.
Additional Features I Looked For
- Programmable Timer: Helps me control cooking time without guesswork.
- Keep Warm Setting: Keeps food ready to serve if I’m running late.
- Locking Lid: Great for transportation if you want to bring a dish to a party.
- Non-slip Feet: Keeps the crock pot stable on my countertop.
Price and Warranty
I found that prices vary widely. It’s worth investing a bit more for a reliable brand with good customer reviews. Also, check the warranty—some brands offer 1-2 years, which adds peace of mind.
My Final Thoughts
Choosing the right 8.5 quart crock pot depends on your family size, cooking habits, and desired features. For me, balancing capacity with ease of use and cleaning made all the difference. Take your time comparing models, and you’ll find one that makes slow cooking a joy!
Author Profile
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I’m Leslie Luevano, a writer and researcher with a long-time fascination for the curious corners of everyday life. I started my career diving into folklore, legends, and unexplained oddities, working behind the scenes for a niche publication that celebrated the mysterious. Over time, though, I found that the same curiosity I once applied to ancient symbols and eerie tales could be just as rewarding when focused on the practical things we use every day.
Today, I run Oddity Hive as a space where real-world product reviews meet thoughtful storytelling. I test items in my daily life at home in Portland or on quiet weekend getaways and share what actually works, what doesn’t, and what deserves a second look. My goal is simple: to help you make smarter choices without the hype. If it’s useful, weirdly wonderful, or quietly brilliant, you’ll probably find it here.
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