My “super-special” crock pot with removeable crock was $18. The hand cleaning may take about 5 minutes total.
It does take a bit of storage room.
The biggest problem I have is that it’s 6 or 7 quart and my Mother taught me that, whatever the pan size, you MUST fill it to almost overflowing.
Like you said, just my opinion.
Upon rereading my last comment I realized it may sound a little snarky. It was not meant that way.