I know, I know. Your grandmother used one.

For the young and hip, a crockpot is so 20th century.

Except it isn't. The crockpot, antiquated though it might seem, truly is a friend to young, hip, health-conscious, busy folks and even is making a comeback of sorts with new models for sale in stores and online.

Lisa Hughes Crockpots, or slow cookers, are available at retail stores such as Target and range in price from $25 (for a 3-quart capacity) to $60 (for a 6-quart capacity).

ADVERTISEMENT - CLICK TO ENLARGE

My grandmother gave me my first 3-quart Rival crockpot. Even though I grew up on comfort foods that steamed from a similar pot, it was years before I actually used mine.

So, from a crockpot convert, I offer five good reasons to go buy one:

You cannot, I repeat, cannot, burn, destroy or otherwise screw up crockpot food.

Crockpots cook at a consistent, low temperature whether the pot is left on low or high (your two temperature options). Fact is, the longer you leave in, say, a roast, the more tender it gets. I recently left a stew cooking for 13 hours. I arrived home with five adults in tow to a comfortable, warm, homemade meal that I didn't have to spend hours stressing over. It took just 20 minutes that morning to throw together.

It's healthy.

You generally cook things like meat, potatoes and vegetables in a crockpot. But there are dozens of dishes you can prepare in a crockpot (see sidebar), such as curries, meatloaf, casseroles, stews, chicken, beef, vegetarian fare, appetizers, desserts and drinks.

It is a time-saver in every situation.

Like this has ever happened: You're running late. You're tired. You have don't even have enough energy to get out of the car to get your Big Mac value meal.

For a few dollars more and a few minutes of time the night before, you can throw together a healthy stew and have dinner as you stumble through the door. You can feed five or six, or if you live alone, simply freeze what you don't eat and have a ready-made meal for as long as you care to keep it frozen.

Recipes are flexible.

Even if you're lacking a few ingredients, it probably won't matter. Heck, half the time recipes are optional.

When you need dinner in a few hours and don't have time to baby-sit it just try any recipe in a crockpot.

Crockpot cooking is easy on the budget.

Because crockpot dishes generally involve whole ingredients such as meat, potatoes and vegetables, they're much more economical than boxed foods that yield only one meal.

That's really it. Some people are pickier and could offer far more professional advice.

I'll leave you with two classic instructions from a small-town grandmother: Fill up. Turn on.