My old kitchenaid large slower cooker gave up the ghost a couple of years ago.  Being an empty nester - went to a small Calphalon slow cooker which works great but I missed and needed a larger one.  So I purchased a 6 quart cuisinart which NEVER cooked well.  Tried a second brand - same thing happened - then went back to kitchenaid....HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY!  Should have bought initially.  My only wish is that kitchenaid still had the red color.

Pros: Works well.  Simple.  
Cons: Heavy insert.