I buy cans of high quality vegetarian chili at a whole food co-op, and brown my own low fat ground beef. Add chili and heat. Extra onions and chilis optional. I just chop, and brown with the hamburger.

An alternate to a slow cooker is to use an oven set on about 225 F. Get everything good and hot on the stove top in a pot or Dutch oven, cover and put in oven for several hours, same as slow cooker. The heat is even all around, and works the same way. I don't have a slow cooker because I do all my cooking at home. Works well for all soups, stews and sauces.

Best,
Rick