I don't think I'd want to make pea soup or lentil soup without a crockpot. I had 4-quart pot from Hamilton Beach, but I like the new 6-quart pot I have from Rival much better. The Rival cooks just above the boiling point, and the Hamilton Beach pot didn't quite boil when it was on low - so the Rival cooks more soup, faster.
My recipe for pea or lentil soup is a great way to clean out the refrigerator:

one bag peas or lentils (1 to 1-1/2 lb.)
5 carrots
3-5 stalks of celery
1 medium to large onion
1 large potato
2 bay leaves
10 peppercorns
diced ham, unless my wife if being vegetarian

Chop everything up and throw it in the pot. Fill the pot with water, to about half an inch below the top. Cook on low 10-24 hours, mix with electric mixer before serving.

I rarely use my crockpot for anything else, but it sure is good for pea or lentil soup.
-Joe-