some crock pots come out of their cookers and can be immersed to clean
this is adviseable.   i did not know aobut the bean poison thing...my
room mate and i often cook pinto beans in the crock pot for eventual use as re-fried beans (i originally typed re-friend beans...a new word for the facebook dictionary?)

they also work great for making hot cider or for serving other hot dishes.

i also see recipes for baking bread in them...
bread pan covered with foil with water in the bottom of the cooker.
http://www.crock-pot.com/Recipes.aspx

it seems one would be better if it had a timer or programmable setting.

they make cookers just for rice, but can you cook rice in a crock pot?

yum iseearecipefor Pandowdy....fruit on bottom, crust type mix on top
http://www.crock-pot.com/Recipes.aspx