I use mine year round. In fact I have several.
One of my easiest favorites: take a 3 lb or so pork roast, put in the slow cooker. One can of condensed cream of mushroom soup, one packet of dry onion soup mix (can be cheap store brand). Mix the onion soup stuff into the mushroom, then add approx 1 can of water, combine this well. Pour over the roast. Put the lid on, set on medium/medium high. Go to work. YUM If you want to be fancy, stick some potato chunks and carrots down around the edges.
You know you can just buy a dutch oven and use it in your oven as a slow cooker. A lot cheaper than buying a counter top slow cooker.
CHUCKWAGON BUFFALO STEW