With just 2 of us now would the 7 quart be too large?
267370
No, I don't think so. I have bought two of the 7 quart...one for my husband and myself and one for my son and daughter-in-law. We both (my daughter in law) love ours. Previously I had another brand 5 quart-I am much happier with the Cuisinart 7 quart and wouldn't mind having a larger one!!
267371
No. I make a lot of soups and casseroles which we can eat over a few weeks. It's also great when we have company.
267372
There is only my husband and myself. I have cooked smaller portions of stew in this. The cast iron maintains the temperature so you can have less product inside, and is holds a temperature without fear of burning. A five quart would probably suit you well but this is great if you ever want to make a big pot roast, entertain, or make extra to put aside. I guess the question is - why too large? A shortage of storage space would be my only reason to scale down.
267373
No, it's not too large. It's great for soups, stews, vegetable casseroles, etc. I cook for 2 usually and it gives us leftovers for two more meals.
267374
Most of my dinner preparations are for two and I use my Cuisinart quite a bit. I love it because it is so versatile. I've braised, fried, baked, and sautéed and it works great.
267375
I don't believe so. When I had a 2-person household I had a lower quality Dutch Oven. I used it all the time for soups, stews, sauces. I wish I had had this then, as it spares you from hovering at the stove. Because of the even heat distribution, things won't scald/burn.Besides, making a large batch of soup, chili or sauce? Freeze a few quarts for later! That's how I survived Internship & Residency!!
267376
It depends a bit if you are considering using it for entertaining guests. However, if you cook for just two people, the smaller size is more than sufficient and the 7 quart will generally be much to large.
267377
probably, yes....but its great for a few extra people or preparing to have leftovers......we raise chickens and can easily acommodate a 6 pounder
267378
No, in fact I would think the 7 qt would be perfect. Think of it this way: you can always make a lesser amount of food in a larger pot. If you don't have a larger pot, it would be really difficult to make enough for leftovers, guests, a whole chicken, etc, etc. I wouldn't trade my 8 qt for anything, and we've been empty nesters for 6 years now. I make everything in it.
1721152
Definitely larger than a quart jar - maybe a half gallon, but I agree with S. Deering that you should freeze what you won't be consuming soon. We do that all the time.
2208989
I have the 9 quart and can stand up about a dozen ears without packing them too tight by removing all but the bottom pan. I guess the 6 quart would work, but you'd have to chop the ears in half or thirds first.
293769
no i only have the one for water. if the .2 bigger is in height it is not a problem and in fact .2" shouldn't affect the dish at all!!!!!!
467756
I think it depends on how much the family eats. I think 4 qt is plenty enough but to me, just incase I like to have the bigger one if the price is not much different.
1784723
I have a 6 quart. A 12 lb. turkey is too big I would suggest a 20 qt roaster.
1861302
I bought the 4.5 quart because that is what the author of the Glorious One-Pot Meals cookbook recommended. She indicated if the oven is too big the flavors will change. It is perfect for us. I am cooking for 2 adults and we usually have enough leftovers for at least one more meal for each of us.
1938755
NO ! This 7 quart bowl is huge as are the attachements - they are NOT interchangeable with previous smaller models.
1579453
The two gallon is huge. How many guest will there be? If you can plan on refilling them I think that would be better. You'd be up to your elbow to get the last third.
221563
If you remove the tab that allows you set it on the side to drain you can fit it in a 7 quart and it works absolutely perfectly, literally a perfect fit to maximize the amount of usable space in the 7 quart. Simply bending the piece of metal slightly back and forth is all that is needed for it to pop off.
1459157
Yes, any size from a quart down. I have never done any larger then a quart but I don't think it would take anything larger. I have done thousands of quart jars in it and I love it. I have 2 going at all times.
569425
The containers are slightly more than two quarts. However, that can be misleading. Since there are the three, and they are generally used for SERVICE of food, quite often the contents are cooked elsewhere and then poured into the crock, thus eliminating the need for head room. So what would generally be cooked in a three quart pan, after it is fully or nearly cooked , is reduced down to two quarts in size, or less, would nearly all fit, and then would serve the same amount of people but from the smaller container.
2101269
Jeanette, I have a 5 quart dutch oven and I was worried that this recipe would be too much for it so I paired it down to 2/3 of the recipe. I could have kept the recipe the same and been fine. No, you don't really need a 7 quart for that bread recipe, or at least that was MY experience.
1879832
No - too too big - it makes enough for a quart. In fact I use it to make my roosibos Tea. I use a smaller swiss one to make my coffee now. But the GSI is very durable of top quality.
177032
No I don't think there is a minimum as long as you are reasonable about it.. I don't think I would do less that about a quart, because why go to the trouble otherwise..I usually do about 8-9 lbs, and that fills it up so if you bought 4 at of strawberries for instance you would only halve about 1/4 of the pot filled. I hope this helps! Just contact me again if you have other questions. I have used it for a large number of things
467753
Get a 6 qt you can less in a smaller unit but you cannot cook more in a smaller one
81364
I believe so! I have made whole large chickens with vegetables with plenty of room to spare. I love this machine - it does everything. It's definitely a second oven - you will love it. I have had the six quart, the twelve quart and the eighteen quart for over 20 years. LOVE THEM! I would say the six quart size makes a roomy "slow cooker." If you plan to make larger meals, the twelve quart is probably the way to go.