I use my Crockpot all year around.  I can prepare meals the night before and refrigerate it in the crock and just drop it in the base and the next morning set it to cook while I am working.   I make my Greek sauce in my Crockpot because it can cook down more gently and clean up is much easier.    I love it for parties when I make sauces and soups.  Everything stays warm without scorching.    The first meals I taught my daughter how to make were in Crockpots.   It is my one MUST have specialty piece of kitchen equipment.