5 Best Slow Cookers
With a slow cooker, often referred to as a crock-pot, you will save time, money, and enjoy many new options for your meals. In addition, they use little electricity, they don’t put off heat into your kitchen like an oven which is great in summertime, and they can transform tough, inexpensive cuts of meat into tender, delicious fare. You can throw in a bunch of ingredients before you leave for work, and when you come home enjoy a meal already slow-cooked to perfection and ready to eat.
If you plan to leave the unit unattended, then you will want a model with programmable controls. Mechanical models require you to change the heat settings manually which is fine if you will be around your crock-pot all day. A 6-quart version is perfect for a family of four, while couples or individuals may prefer a 4-quart model or smaller. They come with a variety of inserts with the most common being stone which provides even heat. But some have a metal insert which can be used on the stove to brown meat before cooking. Buyers should also make sure that the slow cooker they want to buy is easy to clean with dish washer safe parts.
We reviewed and rated numerous machines and overall we found that there was very little performance difference between lower priced models and higher priced models. Below we review our top 5 best slow cookers.
9.3
Hamilton Beach Set'N Forget 33969A
We like that the Set’N Forget has three cooking settings – programmable time, manual, or by temperature via meat probe. The programmable mode has a 14 hour timer and we found that it slow cooks at the right temperature and does not run too hot. It is also much easier to transport safely then other models with a clipped, gasket sealed lid and full handles. About the only negative we found is that actual cooking capacity is closer to 5 quarts than the listed 6 quarts.
9.3
Crock-Pot SCCPVL610-S 6-Quart Programmable Cook & Carry Slow Cooker
The 6 quart SCCPVL610-S has a basic timer which can be set for up to 20 hours on low or high temperature settings. It will automatically switch to warm for up to 6 hours once cook time is completed.
The only negative we found is that it runs a bit hot even on just the warm setting.
9.2
Chefman 5 Quart Slow Cooker, All Natural / Chemical-Free / Glaze-Free Pot
The Chefman slow cooker lacks a programmable timer and instead uses simple manual controls of low, high, and warm. The stoneware insert is oven, stovetop, and dishwasher safe.
The lid does not lock down, so it might not be the best choice for a portable slow cooker.
9.1
Crock-Pot SCCPVL600S Cook' N Carry 6-Quart Oval Manual Portable Slow Cooker
Available in stainless or red, it features the basic settings of low, high, and warm. The SCCPVL600S also has a locking lid, so it is ideal for transporting to any outings you might need it at.
There really aren’t any major negatives on this Crock-Pot. Just be aware there is no programmable timer. For the price this is really a great value.
9
Crock-Pot SCV400-B 4-Quart Manual Slow Cooker
The SCV400-B-NP has just the basic manual settings and lacks a programmable timer. The stoneware insert and glass lid are both dishwasher-safe.
Buyers should get this if they want a cheap slow cooker with manual controls.
Best Slow Cookers Comparison Chart
| Full Name | Rating | Price | Capacity | Programmable Timer |
Locking Lid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton Beach Set’N Forget 33969A | 9.3 | $47.99 | 6 quarts | Yes | Yes |
| Crock-Pot SCCPVL610-S | 9.3 | $38.29 | 6 quarts | Yes | Yes |
| Chefman 5 Quart Slow Cooker | 9.2 | $34.95 | 5 quarts | No | No |
| Crock-Pot SCCPVL600S Cook’ N Carry | 9.1 | $20.23 | 6 quarts | No | Yes |
| Crock-Pot SCV400-B | 9.0 | $14.96 | 4 quarts | No | No |