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    Home » Essentials

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    5 things to consider when buying a Slow Cooker

    All Slow Cookers perform the same function: they cook food on a very low heat. Most cookers have two heat settings for cooking, but then they vary - considerably. This guide to buying a Slow Cooker helps you decide which features you want to narrow down your choice.

    2 slow cookers
    Slow Cooker Buying Guide

    I've had a slow cooker for years - decades actually - and at times it's been in weekly use and then there are years when it comes out at Christmas for mulled wine and maybe for chicken stock - or maybe not.

    I recently decided to upgrade my old crockpot to a newer model with a smaller footprint and with a dishwasher-safe pot. A quick search on Amazon for Slow Cookers totally flummoxed me with the array of options now available and a range of prices from under £20 to almost £200.

    After weeks of deliberation, I made my choice and decided to put together a few of the points to consider when you're buying a Slow Cooker.

    1. Size - Capacity of the Slow Cooker Pot

    • 1.5-litre - If space is at a premium or you're usually cooking for 1-2, this is ideal - but you won't get a chicken in it
    • 3.5-litre - This is the size I use. It's big enough for a casserole for 4-6, including vegetables and I can get a 1.5kg chicken or a gammon in it
    • 6.5-litre - If you have a large family, like to cook plenty for the freezer, or often feed 6+ people I would buy this. You don't have to fill it if you are cooking something smaller.

    2. Digital vs Manual Timer

    Digital timer pros

    • You can programme the cooking time as well as the heat setting
    • Usually has an automatic KEEP WARM function

    Manual timer pros

    • Simple to use
    • Usually cheaper than digital
    • You can delay the start time by using a timer on the plug socket or a remote control
    • The cooker will stay on until you turn it off.

     3. Metal Pot vs Ceramic Pot

    Metal pot pros

    • You can put the pot on the hob so you can brown the meat in it
    • It won't break if you drop it
    • Usually dishwasher-proof
    • Usually lightweight.

    Ceramic pot pros

    • Looks better on the table - no need to transfer to a serving dish.

    Ceramic pot cons

    • You have to be careful not to put hot liquids into the cold pot or cold liquids into a hot pot, in case it cracks.

    4. Price

    You get a good choice of a basic Slow Cooker for £20-50. You pay more for a digital timer or a larger capacity.

    Otherwise, it's down to what you like the look of and whether you want it to be more than just a Slow Cooker.

    Multi-functions

    • Many of the higher-priced cookers (over £100) have other functions, e.g. as a pressure cooker. If you want both and you don't want to store two large pieces of equipment, this is a consideration.

    5. Extras

    Autocook function

    • AUTO cook (HIGH to get up to temperature then switches to LOW).

    Keep warm function

    • Keeps the food warm once cooking has stopped.

    Glass lid

    • In theory, useful to see what's going on, but it can steam up.
    A brushed steel digital slow cooker

    What did I buy?

    I wanted a digital timer and a 3.5l cooker with a glass lid. I also wanted a metal dish so that I can brown the meat in it. So I bought a Morphy Richards slow cooker that does all that and that I like the colour of (brushed steel).

    What I found was that once I had decided on size/ temperature control/ type of dish, the choice was narrowed down considerably and it was quite easy to make a decision.

    Helpful Extras

    If you have a ceramic pot or your metal one doesn't clean easily, you could try slow cooker liners, which cut down on the washing up. They're also useful if you're cooking a joint or a whole chicken so that you can get it out of the pot easily!

    Slow Cooker Recipes

    Some slow cooker recipes to try:

    Slow Cooker Sausage Casserole in the dish

    Slow Cooker Sausage Casserole

    One-step Slow Cooker Sausage Casserole is a ‘chuck it in and leave it to cook all day’ recipe.
    Slow Cooker Rice Pudding in a bowl with raspberry jam.

    Slow Cooker Rice Pudding

    Slow Cooker Rice Pudding is creamy and comforting. It takes 5 minutes to prepare and cooks all day.
    Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken Casserole in the pot

    Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken Casserole

    Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken Casserole is a one-step recipe. Chuck the ingredients in and leave to cook all day for a tasty, aromatic chicken supper.
    Lamb Shanks in Red Wine in the Slow Cooker

    Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks in Red Wine

    Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks in Red Wine is a simple hearty dish, great for supper guests

    See all Slow Cooker/Crock Pot recipes

    Stockists

    Stainless steel Slow Cooker with black handles and lid

    Digital Slow Cooker

    Buy Now →
    Pack of Slow Cooker liners

    Slow Cooker Liners

    Buy Now →

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    Hi, I'm Susie. Mostly I love cooking and baking, but combining work and home life often leaves me feeling that providing healthy, tasty food for my family is a chore. On those days I am decidedly an Everyday Cook...

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    2 slow cookers
    2 slow cookers