This topic has not been brought up in a while. My crock pot just went on me this shabbos (Jewish brand) any new ones out there that don't have shabbos issues that are good?
+1
Mine just broke as well. What do people buy usually?
I bought the one Amazing Savings sells. It's not the insert type, so no hatmanah issues, and it even comes with a blech and a knob cover. The cholent comes out excellent.
BTW, there was a discussion upthread about hatmanah with the stoneware crockpots, and I don't think anyone described correctly what putting foil balls inside does.
By raising up the insert, the walls are no longer completely covered by the sides, rather, partially exposed to the air. Hence, it's not hatmanah. A wee bit would not be enough, it needs a significant amount.