They are good for things like stew. They are also good if you are going to be gone most of the day and want a hot meal when you come home. They are good for soups.
I also used ours to keep hot apple cider warm during a party that was outdoors. I just plugged it in and it worked great.
I've made some things that I don't like, and others that are great. It's just nice to have something that I can make in the morning when the kids are at school, and then it is ready to eat when they get home from school.
Thanks. However, understand that I'm a guy who once spent an entire day shopping for a mechanical can opener. Yes, I understand the insanity of that, but I had that darned can opener 15 years. Sadly, the store where I purchased it is no longer in business.