The best slow cooker is the favorite cooking utensil of many housewives and chefs in many countries around the world.
People love them for their versatility and convenience. All you need to do is toss the ingredients in, pour some water, and set the desired cooking setting and timer. The slow cooker will do the rest for you.
You can leave the slow cooker unattended, and while it’s slowly cooking, you can spend that time preparing other dishes or doing other activities.
Top Listing
Best Slow Cooker Review:
I wrote a quick review for each product, see for yourself if an item strikes your fancy:
1. Crock-Pot 7-Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker | Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)
Crock-Pot 7-Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker | Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)
9 used from $32.04
Features
Pros:
- Durable exterior
- Very reasonable price
- Consistent temperature
- Perfect shape for roasting chicken
- The stone inert is compatible with a microwave
Cons:
- The lid doesn’t have a rubber seal
2. Crockpot Portable 7 Quart Slow Cooker with Locking Lid and Auto Adjust Cook Time Technology, Stainless Steel
Crockpot Portable 7 Quart Slow Cooker with Locking Lid and Auto Adjust Cook Time Technology, Stainless Steel
10 used from $60.47
Features
Pros:
- Anti-spill design
- Heat-resistant handles
- Spacious 7-Quart capacity
- It has two durable lid locks
- Automatically adjust cooking cycle
Cons:
- The rubber feet is flimsy
3. Crock-Pot SCCPVL610-S-A 6-Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker with Digital Timer, Stainless Steel
Crock-Pot SCCPVL610-S-A 6-Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker with Digital Timer, Stainless Steel
10 used from $48.38
Features
Pros:
- Precise digital timer
- Dishwasher-safe stoneware
- The glass lid is very resilient
- Oven-friendly inner stone inert
- The package includes a recipe book
Cons:
- The power output is not that great
4. Crock-pot 8 Quart Slow Cooker with Auto Warm Setting and Cookbook, Black Stainless Steel
Crockpot 8 Quart Slow Cooker with Auto Warm Setting and Cookbook, Black Stainless Steel
7 used from $49.08
Features
Pros:
- Large capacity
- Black stainless finish
- Very precise timer function
- Removable, dishwasher-safe lid and stoneware pot
Cons:
- The liner is vulnerable to damages
5. Hamilton Beach Portable 6-Quart Digital Slow Cooker with Lid Lock, Temperature Probe, Stainless Steel
Hamilton Beach Portable 6-Quart Set & Forget Digital Programmable Slow Cooker with Lid Lock, Temperature Probe, Stainless Steel
Features
Pros:
- Clip-tight gasket lid
- Customer’s favorite pick
- Three cooking programs
- It comes with temperature probe
- Power interrupt protection mechanism
Cons:
- The digital display is a little dim
6. Crock-pot 7 Quart Slow Cooker with Programmable Controls and Digital Timer, Polished Platinum
Crockpot 7 Quart Slow Cooker with Programmable Controls and Digital Timer, Polished Platinum
Features
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Resilient material
- The handles are very secure
- Dishwasher safe stoneware and glass lid
- Platinum-polished finish for extra durability
Cons:
- Ceramic insert is thin and too narrow at the bottom
7. Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker, Extra Large 10 Quart, Stay or Go Portable With Lid Lock, Dishwasher Safe Crock, Black (33195)
Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker, Extra Large 10 Quart, Stay or Go Portable With Lid Lock, Dishwasher Safe Crock, Black (33195)
1 used from $80.99
Features
Pros:
- Customer’s Favorite
- Extra-large capacity
- Clip-tight sealed lid
- Dishwasher-safe parts
- Tough and durable black exterior
Cons:
- The power cord is very short
8. Leuwd 5.3 QT Programmable Stainless Oval Multi-cooker with Digital Countdown Timer, Delay Start and LCD Display
Slow Cooker, Portable Pot for Camping 5.3 QT Programmable Stainless Oval Multi-cooker with Digital Countdown Timer, Delay Start and LCD Display, for Family Dinner, Batch Cooking, Dishwasher-safe
Features
Pros:
- Delay-start function
- Uniform heating inner pot
- The lid lock seal is very stable
- Very little heat loss while cooking
- Large capacity suitable for any household
Cons:
- The digital display is fiddly
9. Crockpot 6 Quart Slow Cooker with Auto Warm Setting and Programmable Controls, Stainless Steel
Crockpot 6 Quart Slow Cooker with Auto Warm Setting and Programmable Controls, Stainless Steel
Features
Pros:
- Non-stick coating
- Consistent temperature
- Dishwasher-safe glass cover
- Simple one-touch operation
- Ample cooking space, can serve up to seven people
Cons:
- The non-stick coating is vulnerable to scratching
10. BLACK+DECKER SC2007D Slow Cooker, 7 quart, Teal Wave
BLACK+DECKER SC2007D Slow Cooker, 7 quart, Teal Wave
Features
Pros:
- Built-In lid holder
- Durable tempered glass lid
- Fairly lightweight for its size
- Handles stay cool to the touch
- Very easy to clean with no dead spot
Cons:
- There is no rubber seal on the lid
Buying guide for Best Slow Cooker:
Here are some basic pieces of information that you might need before buying a slow cooker:
Capacity
A slow cooker’s capacity can range from 2 Quarts (1,8 liter) to 8.5 Quarts (8 liters). This number is their theoretical maximum capacity, but in reality, they can hold less than that for safety reasons.
Almost all manual instruction manuals say to fill the pot half full or seventy-five percent full to avoid over-cooking and to prevent spillovers. The popular size for slow cookers is 6 Quarts (5,6 liters) or 7 Quarts (6,2 liters) models.
Even when comparing slow cookers with similar capacities, they can vary in size depending on their outer frame and material. Bulkier ones are more difficult to store and transport, and as a matter of fact, they will take up more counter space in your kitchen.
Timer style
Depending on the origin and model of the slow cooker, you can encounter two styles of timer: manual switch timer and digital timer.
The manual timer is the fancy name for a simple switch or knob. You can see this design on older models of slow cookers or if they originated from Asian countries like Japan or Korea.
The digital timer is the modern variant of its traditional counterpart. All you need is one button press and your slow cooker will automatically switch off at the exact time displayed on the LED screen.
Both of these timer styles are good on their own and the modern timer isn’t necessarily better than the older model. When you become proficient at the manual timer, you can time your dishes perfectly as with a digital timer.
The lid
A good slow cooker must always have clear, snug-fitting lids capable of trapping heat and retaining moisture. The cover can be either hardened glass or plastic material.
Hardened glass is the better option of the two as clear lids are necessary for you to be able to check on the cooking progress without having to remove the cover.
Loose lids can release steam, wasting precious heat and energy. Poorly-made lids will slow down the cooking process and allow food to splash onto your countertop.
The container (or the insert)
The insert is where you put your ingredients for slow cooking. On the current market, there are two types of slow cooker insert for you to choose from:
Crock (ceramic or stoneware): Due to the nature of the material, these inserts are perfect for heat retention once the cooker has reached its cooking temperature. While they are heavier than their metal counterparts, they cook more evenly and give a better taste to your dishes.
Metal insert: They are lighter and are not brittle like crock inserts, making them more durable, impact-resistant, and long-lasting. Some variants even have a protective non-stick layer as their coating.
Power Output
Generally speaking, slow cookers use little electricity, making them much more energy efficient when compared to other cooking utensils in your kitchen.
Slow cookers consume between 75 Watts and 150 Watts of electricity on low settings and between 150 and 210 watts on high settings.
It is wise to choose a slow cooker with high energy efficiency because, in the long run, you will save a considerable amount of electricity.
FAQs
What are the perks of using a slow cooker?
- Little attention required: All you need to do is toss the ingredients in, pour some water, and set the desired cooking setting and timer. The slow cooker will do the rest for you.
- Energy efficiency: Appliances can cook all day, but they will use the same amount of energy as a standard light bulb.
- Soft and flavorful dishes: Thanks to the long cooking time, your food will soften slowly. This process will allow spices to penetrate deeply into the food, giving it the best flavor possible.
- Consistent temperature: When the slow cooker has reached the desired temperature, it will automatically keep the temperature at a certain range.
How much do they cost?
A high-end slow cooker can cost $300 to $500 per unit.
But for the standard-quality, reliable, and widely available products, their price starts around $35.
What is their average lifespan?
Usually, a slow cooker can last up to ten years if given proper care and maintenance. It’s not a rare sight to see a slow cooker as old as fifteen years of age and still serviceable.
Are they easy to clean?
The cleaning process of a slow cooker should be effortless thanks to the non-stick coating on the interior of the insert.
The tricky part is the nooks and crannies of the exterior. But, there is nothing a soft rag and bottle of cleaning agent can’t handle.
What accessories should I prepare?
Although you don’t need anything other than some cooking utensils, some accessories are always nice to have as they make your cooking experience much more enjoyable.
I recommend that you buy the following things:
- A recipe book.
- One or more wooden spoons.
- A pair of meat claws (for shredding meat).
- A slow cooker liner, this product can make cleaning a slow cooker so much quicker and easier.
- A spoon rest rack.
Final Thoughts
You reached the end of my post, I hope you learned valuable information from reading it. With this newfound knowledge, you will have an easier time deciding which is the best slow cooker that fits your requirements.
Please share your thoughts in the comment section if you have time to spare. Your opinion can be helpful to other readers and people will greatly appreciate it.
Thank you for reading!
