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How to Choose and Buy a Slow Cooker

There are many options available when choosing a slow cooker. From the size of the cooker to the materials with which it is made, there is an ideal choice for you. Below is a list of options to consider when choosing your slow cooker.

Sizes of Slow Cookers

Depending on how many people you intend to cook for, there are various sizes of slow cooker to suit. If you have no more than two people in your household, the 3 to 4 qt. size is ideal. Most recipes are designed with this size in mind, and there are usually plenty of leftovers. If a larger size is required, consider a 6 qt. model.

The main advantage of the larger slow cooker is the ability to cook whole Sunday roasts. You can just place all the ingredients in the cooker in the evening and wake to the delicious aroma of a home-cooked roast without the hassle of washing up lots of pans. Double-measure recipes also easily fit in the larger sized slow cookers, and leftovers may be refrigerated or frozen. A handful of small freezer containers will allow you to make good use of a larger pot and leave you with quick meal options on busy nights.

Style

Crock - A removable crock is far easier to clean, and allows for much easier refrigeration of foods before and after cooking. A heavier crock will also better withstand bumps during washing and storage.

Another consideration is whether to choose a crock with rounded or straight edges. Rounded edges tend to be easier to clean than square edges with awkward, hard-to-reach crevices. The rim of the crock is also an important consideration. Narrow and/or flat rims can allow juices to spill over into the cooking unit or onto your countertop.

Lid - A glass lid is better in the long run than other materials. Lids with plastic handles and/or metal rims will not withstand wear and tear as well as glass lids. A higher dome also allows more room for cooking tall foods like rump roasts and whole chickens.

Cooking Unit - The base of the slow cooker must be sturdy and should allow air to flow underneath and dissipate heat. Solid handles are also advantageous, as heavy crocks and full pots can put stress on delicate open handles, causing them to crack and break soon after purchase.

Other Features to look for when choosing a Slow Cooker

There are lots of additional features available when choosing a slow cooker, including:

• Programmable delayed cooking timers.
• Keep Warm settings.
• Removable non-stick cooking liner.
• Multiple temperature settings.

Further Information

You can find out more about some of the top models of slow cooker available on the market on our Top Slow Cooker Models page.

If you want to buy a slow cooker, you can find out more about some of the top online slow cooker suppliers including details of their delivery times and postage and packaging costs in our Where to Buy section.

You can learn more about other types of cooking appliance in our Types of Cooking Appliance section.

You can find out about specific cooking appliance manufacturers and brands in our Brands of Cooking Appliance section.