You can check out my thread about the Hamilton Beach slow cooker I found in 2016.  If memory serves me right, I think I only paid $5.00 for it.  It works great!

www.automaticwasher.org/c...

I'll add my $.02 to what's already been stated, and that is, thrift stores almost always have a few vintage slow cookers on the shelves and you can get them for ~ $10.  Forget about ebay, the prohibitive shipping charges, and potential for breakage.  Hold out for one that has a removable crock.  I'm not a fan of the West Bend unit pictured above.  I don't think that method is as good at slow cooking as a crock pot and they're kind of small.

OK, $.03 -- I suggest you go with a slow cooker that has the "auto-shift" feature, which starts out on high and then automatically switches to low after 20 or 30 minutes.  I know that Hamilton Beach and Farberware slow cookers have/had this feature.  I have a 6-qt. round HB "Crock Watcher" with auto-shift as well as an oval 6-qt. Farberware that also does auto-shift.  The Farberware is much newer but works well.  The HB is from 1990 or so and I'm fairly certain has the same heating system HB has used since the '70s.  Modern electronic controls on slow cookers are for the birds.  Mechanical controls with knobs will virtually eliminate the chance of nuked chili ever again.

Finally (we're up to $.04 now) another option to consider is a small Nesco type "Full Range" roaster oven.  They can be used like a crock pot and hold 6 quarts but also double as a small oven when needed, with thermostatic settings from around 175 to 450.  Set to 200-225 for slow cooking.  They run about the same price as a slow cooker at thrift stores, but aren't as commonly found.  I've attached a picture of one similar to mine.

Congratulations!  Excellent choice and a great score!

I have no idea what constitutes a II as opposed to a I.

I have a Dominion brand "Crock-A-Dial" that's a Scovill product, but it's clearly an early type with integrated crock.  I bought it primarily for its name, but also because I didn't have a 4-qt. size and it had Auto-Shift.  There were others from Scovill with catchy names, like "Simmer-On" but I can't remember the rest of them off hand.

My 4 quart version dates from 1976 according to all of the literature that came with it. 

This TV ad debuted in October, 1976.

If you have an electric range just use a good sized pan with a tight fitting lid on a low heat setting.

Or 

Use a pressure cooker on a gas or electric range and get the same results in well less than a hour start to finish.

I have never seen the need to have a CP cluttering up my kitchen.

John L.

Last time I checked, stoves found in the average kitchen were not portable.  Just saying.

I have a 6 qt. Rival w/ a removable liner that I bought in 1987 which I used mainly for taking stuff to work for potlucks.  One thing that was especially good was baked potatoes for a baked potato bar potluck.  Everyone in the unit would sign up for something to either put on/in the potatoes or other items like a salad or dessert.

You just wash the potatoes, dry them, rub the skin with butter or oil and wrap them in foil and place them in the crock pot.  I got to work at 6:45 am and would plug it in and set it on high.  By lunch time the potatoes were “baked”, and were always a hit.

Then while Mom was still alive and we’d host large family dinners the crock pot was handy for keeping chili and other things hot for a buffet, like baked potatoes or corn on the cob.

But now I almost never use it anymore. It resides on a top cabinet shelf to avoid clutter.  I prefer using the stove and my Farberware Classic SS pots.

But for portability or an extra source of heat for a buffet dish a crock pot can’t be beat.  And simple is better than all these extra features on the new ones.

Eddie

I have never seen a range where the cookware was bolted to the stove top, if you are going to a picnic you just take the Dutch Oven or pan or whatever to the picnic.

John L.

I agree 100% that room temperature chili would not win any awards!

I had the Crock Watcher with white liner.  I don't think those are milk glass, though.  Just some sort of white material used for the ceramic mixture to produce the liner.