yes
You can use a slow cooker with either frozen or defrosted meat. The recipe should state which you use or the cooking time and temperature will have to be adjusted. Frozen meatballs are excellent in a slow cooker.
A crock pot and a slow cooker are the same thing. You can use the same recipes for these two devices without a problem. A crock pot and a slow cooker perform the same functions.
Use a dutch oven in the oven and you would get the same result, it would heat all around like the slow cooker. Use it on top of the stove and it's only hot on the bottom and would tend to stick and scorch. Also, the slow cooker is not going to heat up the kitchen like using the oven will.
No, silicone bakeware is not meant for use in a slow cooker. Consult with your owner's manual for what bakeware (if any) can be used.
Yes, you can use a slow cooker base (not crock pot) as a warming tray. Of course, the base is not very large, but it can be used as a warmer. You can also, keep mashed potatoes warm for up to an hour in the slow cooker pot on Low.
Try canned diced tomatos.
A four quart slow crock cooker from Betty G can be purchased for about $35. The Betty G slow crock cooker is considered a vintage item.
A book of slow cooker recipes can be bought online on many various cooking websites. First, you must select the type of cuisine you like the most in your slow cooker.
There are several books available for the rival slow cooker. Rival Crock Pot: 3 Books in 1: Slow Cooker Favorites/Winning Slow Cooker Recipes is probably the biggest one out there. Another great one that is available is the Rival New Creative Crock-pot/slow Cooker Cookbook
how new is your cooker?
my slow cooker top wont come off after cooking and letting it cool