Actually I'm pretty sure they're all "slow cookers," but Rival made the
first type and trademarked (?) the name "Crock Pot" which has since
been used to refer loosely to most slow cookers.

The newer type of slow cooker which has a pot that simply sits on top
of a heating tray seems to be mostly made by Westbend... the tray can
also be used as an electric griddle.

As for the liners, I'm glad to hear that the oven bags can be gotten
cheaper than I've seen them before, but I'm still a little wary of
heating plastics any more than necessary.
I'd probably use them though as long as the extra cost isn't an issue
because I have some physical problems which making twisting the large
pot around under the fawcett pretty hard, and I'm imagine there'd be
lots of somewhat older folks who would feel the same.
I do definitely like the idea of creating an automatic pouring
container for the juices though!

Diane B.