Guide to Slow Cookers
Are you trying to decide what would be the best slow cooker for your family – or for a gift? The Guide to Slow Cookers helps you evaluate your needs!
As you may know, Rich and I are in the middle of preparing to move. We will be combining households with his parents, who have reached the stage of life where they could use some help, and we have reluctantly come to the conclusion that it makes financial sense for us to leave New York City. The two together were unarguable.
So, that combining households part is tricky, and takes a lot of planning. It was bad enough when he and I did it some ten years ago – but now, we don’t want to haul something 500 miles if it’s a duplicate. They already have a well furnished, well-supplied house! So we’ve been downsizing like mad, and that includes the kitchen. I’ll do most of the cooking, so I will keep some of my tools and appliances, but only if they meet a need, so… her blender and my food processor – her saucepan and my frypan… and basically their dishes, baking pans, and so on.
I’d decided that I would do a few Holiday Gift Guides over the next few weeks, since my mind is on comparing cookware and appliances! (And my kitchen is being dismantled… so recipe development is getting complicated.) After a lengthy consideration of slow cookers, though (and the decision to not move mine) I realized I had enough thoughts about them for a standalone post.
See – if you want me to tell you the Best Slow Cooker – I’ll tell you that I cannot. Much more than most other appliances, it depends on your situation, family, lifestyle, cooking style… I will get a new one after the move, specifically because our situation is changing.
First of all – notice that I call them slow cookers rather than the more common crockpots. There are two reasons. The first one I had did not, in fact, have the crockery insert (most that I discuss here will) so I didn’t think of it that way. But also, Crockpot is, in fact, a trademark of a corporation. I used to be a vendor for a company that made cookware and appliances (none of which will be discussed here, as most are not currently available on the US market) so I trained myself quite firmly to never use the other term. Slow cooker it was…
So yes, most do have the crockery insert. It holds heat, helps bring the heat up around the sides even if the only heating element is in the bottom of the pot, and helps maintain a very even heat. (It is also heavy and awkward, and breaks easily – hold that thought, I’ll return to it.)
The basic model typically has three manual settings – High, Low, and Warm. And it stays as you set it until you change it. For years that was all there was – but it’s limiting if you are out of the house more than 8-9 hours. because food can overcook. On the other hand, that’s what I have now, and it’s fine – we both work (mostly) from home, so even if I’m away, Rich is here to switch the setting to Keep Warm at the right time. And when I make stock from a chicken carcass or a pork bone I can just let it run for 24 hours with no trouble at all, which gives me a rich stock with plenty of gelatin. Many Sabbath observant Jews prefer this for cholent for the same reason – set it up, and it simmers happily away until you are ready for it. If that’s what you need, then that’s all you need.
On the other hand, if you work and commute long hours, if you can’t guarantee when you’ll get home, if you might need to be out or too busy to fuss in the kitchen when food is ready, you’ll think a timer is the Best Invention Ever. When the timer says the food is cooked, the programmable slow cooker switches to Keep Warm, so your food is held for several hours at a safe temperature. Simple luxury! One non-mushy late dinner after you’ve been stuck in a traffic jam (or every day if you have a long commute) or one emergency double shift in which you don’t worry that dinner has dried out will basically pay for it. I loved the one I had when I was working until 6:00 or 7:00 and could come home to chicken that was not cooked to rags! Both Crockpot and Hamilton Beach make good, well-made, less expensive models both with and without timers or other features. (I currently own a Hamilton Beach.)
Now, depending on your budget, you can decide what features you want. You can get a relatively simple one, where you push a button to select a preset time, often in two hour increments, or one that you can adjust to the exact time you need. (Personally I often like to cook chicken for seven hours – it’s cooked through but still firm enough for many recipes. At eight hours, it falls off the bone.) The adjustable ones tend to have the option of longer cooking times as well – up to 24 hours. They also tend to cost more, but the features can make the price well worth it. Higher end ones I would recommend are All Clad (which I saw demonstrated many times,) KitchenAid and Cuisinart. (I have not used slow cookers by either of those companies, but have owned other products and done well with them.)
Speaking of features… Other ones to consider. Shape. I prefer oval – chickens come oval (and if you’re getting the idea that I often use mine to cook chicken, you’re right) and they’re more apt to have space for long bones – pork shoulder, for instance, or ham. But if you don’t cook meat, or don’t cook larger cuts, the shape might not be a factor. A round pot works quite well for stew, soup, and beans.
Speaking of fit, what size do you need? I have actually used a two quart one which made a few servings of stew, and was wonderful for apple butter and the like, but… much too limiting for me. Right now I have a six quart, because it holds those pork shoulders I mentioned – but then I never use it to make just one or two meals for the two of us, because that amount of food just seems lost in it. (Now that I will be cooking for four, that may make more sense.)
You can get a slow cooker with a lid that clamps on so that it is portable – you can even get a thermal carrier for some models! Useful if you often go to potlucks or bring food to family dinners – cook at home, then plug it in to keep warm – not something I felt I needed. Whatever you do, make sure it has handles and you can move the hot pot safely, though – most do, now, but once I had one I could not move… Also make sure the insert can be removed! That’s pretty standard, these days – but it was not true of my cheap little two quart, which made it a major nuisance to wash.
Sometimes you can choose color, or patterns (or even team insignia) though most right now are stainless steel. I’m starting to see bells and whistles that I cannot tell you anything about – hook up a slow cooker to wifi? (Perhaps some day that will seem as obvious as the timer!) A pot that stirs itself? Some sell replacements for the crocks, and that’s a big plus… they do crack.
And some don’t have crocks at all. Remember above when I told you to hold the thought of heavy, breakable crocks? You can get slow cookers that are metal pots that sit on a heated base. The heat isn’t quite as even – though I never found it made all that much difference. The biggest issue with them is that you often cannot move the hot base – and that can be a problem, especially in a small kitchen. But you can brown meat on the stove in the pot – saves washing a pan… And you can then put that pot right in the refrigerator with everything ready to cook, so that in the morning you just put it on the base, turn everything on, and head out. Above all, you don’t have to handle the heavy, awkward, breakable pot… which can be particularly important if you have issues with your hands, or are getting older… (My mother would only use this kind, because she had arthritis in her hands and was afraid of dropping a crock.) I am only aware of West Bend making these.
Have I thoroughly confused you? Or have I helped you clarify what questions you need to ask, and which features you do or do not need? I would not dream of keeping house without a slow cooker, though every other appliance is optional, even if useful. They are easy to use, very forgiving, and extremely convenient. There is finally nothing like dragging in the door after a long hard day – and smelling your own delicious dinner!
The slow cooker that I have, I received as one of my first gifts for Christmas from my mother n law. Things have really changed as far as function and design go. I’ve got to get a new one soon!
Some of these features can be so helpful!
Thank you so much for sharing these tips with us! I’ve never tried making a slow cooker recipe before, but now I know exactly how to start =)
Thank you!
The choices are so many. I can’t believe the price differential but I know it is not the only issue. I have a crockpot but I don’t know if it doubles as a slow cooker.
Well – a crockpot is a slow cooker, and many people use the terms interchangeably (though not all slow cookers are crockpots.)
I tried to show both ends of the range. You do get more features at the higher end – so it can be a matter of determining how important it is to you to have greater control of the timing, for instance. And many of us can do perfectly happily without a given feature (my current pot is pretty simple,) while for some that feature makes it more likely to be used! All about the way you cook.
I love slow cooker recipes especially in the fall and winter, they are what make my life so much easier and cozy for sure. the soups the stews come out way better.!
I love them for long simmering things like that!
I’ll never forget, though, visiting cousins in Texas – and each of them had several slow cookers, and used them constantly! They don’t heat up the kitchen… so you can still get a home cooked meal in hot weather. I found I love using mine in a heat wave to cook chicken overnight (when it’s cooler) and then chill the meat to use in salad.
I love my slow cooker and I have been wanting to get a new one for awhile now to meet the different needs I Have now. Thank you for the recommendations.
You’re welcome, and I hope it helps!
That’s what triggered it for me – realizing that after I move, I’ll want one with a timer, so I can set up a meal for the parents if we’re out in the evening. It will be ready when they are, and with the keep warm feature, they don’t even have to fuss about putting leftovers away!
Situation changed, the appliance I need changes…
Great blog topic for the holidays. I love all your insights and advice. Great research! I prefer oval, too.
Thank you! I hope it is useful!
Yeah – there are just too many things that almost but don’t quite fit in a round one…
During this time of year we like to use our slow cooker. It’s convenient, especially when we’re both working.
I love coming home after a crazy day to dinner I just need to serve and eat!
I really never thought of any of this when choosing a slow cooker. I just have a regular one I got at my wedding. But these tips are so helpful!
And if it works for you, it works for you. In the end, that’s all that matters…
But if it ever doesn’t – these are things to think about!
I love my slow cooker. I asked for a programmable one a few years ago and didn’t get it. Bummer, I know!
Frustrating when you don’t get what you want/need… But I was delighted to find that there are more options among the less expensive brands for the programmable ones. Might be time to look into it again!
It’s great to see that slow cookers come in different shapes, sizes and price points. I have the old standard Crock Pot but have been thinking about upgrading to one of the oval-shaped slow cookers that have more settings and features.
Yes – the variety is wonderful, something for everyone, but deciding which features you need – that can be tricky! If you do choose to upgrade, I hope some of this is helpful!
This is a great guide on slow cookers! I love making slow cooker recipes all winter long, fix it and forget it!! 🙂
Thank you!
Winter and summer both – doesn’t heat up the kitchen… LOL
I love slow cookers, I actually have 3 of them. You are so right about them being different and the best one depending on what you need it for. I use all of mine for different things.
Oh, yes. I’ve had more than one at times, too – I just don’t have room for that right now. (Maybe eventually, after the move? A big one for a ham, a small one to set up just tonight’s dinner?)
The slow cooker that I’ve is the basic one. I think I need an upgrade. Adding this to my wish list.
The basic one is good, and sometimes it is all you need. But I think that if a feature means you’ll use it more often… then that’s worth it.
Hope you get one that works well for you!
I never understood the beauty of crock pot cooking until I had children. I needed a more hands free way to cook a meal. Now I have two crock pots and I can’t imagine not cooking in my crock pot each week!
LOL Oh, I get that…
I always thought of them as something I’d only use if I was out of the house. Then I started working from home, and realized that if something is on the stove I have to keep part of my mind on it… I set this up, and don’t have to think about it again until dinner time!
Getting a programmable slow cooker has been one of the BEST investments I’ve ever made. We were lucky to find a great one on sale at Target and use it at least once a week. Game changer!!
Absolutely. I thought a basic one was enough (and it still can be, depending on your situation.) Then I repped a programmable one, and the company gave me one to work with so I could get to know the features (that one had many bells and whistles…) Other features could be fun, but the timer! Oh, my, it made so much difference when I was working crazy retail hours! I’m convinced.
There are so many brands and options available. Thank you so much for these valuable reviews and comparisons. This will definitely help with the shopping process!
It can be overwhelming, can’t it? I had trouble even narrowing down the ones I wanted to link to as examples! I’m glad you find this useful!
I love my slow cooker so much and I’m always shocked to learn that someone doesn’t have one in their kitchen. Everyone needs a slow cooker!
I know, right? The parents don’t have one, and we were trying to talk them into it a few years ago. It would have made life easier! Now, though, I’ll just get one…
I never use slow cookers but my mother does! She swears by it, but after this I might give it a try!
They’re remarkably handy – you might want try one!
Thank you for advice on picking slow cookers. We keep buying ones that burn out way too quickly for some reason. We are basically throwing money away.
Oh, my! I’ve never had that happen! (I have broken crocks…) I would probably make sure I only got one from the more established companies – such as the ones I link to – and probably a basic one (since the more electronic features there are, the more there is that could go wrong…)
Good luck with it!
I am from India and had only heard the names slow cooker and crockpot. But your guide has helped me understand the basics much better. Thanks for this post and good luck with your move.
Availability does vary in different places. They actually solve many of the same problems as pressure cookers, but with an opposite approach – little attention for a long time, rather than total attention for a short time!
And thank you – the move itself is pretty intense…
I looove my crock post, well slow cooker! It makes dinners so much easier and they’re so tasty. Good luck with your move!!
Hannah Rooks
http://www.therookiewife.com
They are so handy (by any name…)
And thank you!
Slow cooker meals are so helpful for busy families like mine. Will definitely be bookmarking these tips for our future meals.
Thank you.