As to size, get the largest crock pot you can possibly fit in your kitchen or pantry. Mine is big and I love how much stuff I can get in it. I can cook a small chicken in it. However, I don't recommend my brand. It's a West Bend and the outer shell gets very hot during cooking. Makes me a bit nervous. That's the only problem I have with it though. The crock does tend to stain a little, but I don't mind terribly, I know it's clean.

Anhata
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