How to Buy: a Slow Cooker
RETAIL ADVICE TO HELP YOU BUY BETTER
What to look for, which features are worth paying for, and how to choose the right one.
A slow cooker is one of those kitchen appliances that can genuinely make life easier. From casseroles and curries to pulled pork and batch cooking, it does the hard work while you get on with your day. My favourite is putting it on in the morning and dinner being ready to go when you get home from work.
But with so many models available, from basic £25 slow cookers to multifunctional machines costing hundreds, how do you know which one is worth buying?
Here’s what I’d look for.
1. Size Matters
Slow cookers are measured in litres (L) in the UK and quarts (qt) in the US. Bigger isn’t necessarily better.
- 1.5–3L / 1.6–3.2 qt: Ideal for one or two people.
- 3.5–4.7L / 3.7–5 qt: A good everyday size for smaller households.
- 5–6.5L / 5.3–6.9 qt: Better for families, batch cooking or preparing meals for the freezer.
- 7–8L / 7.4–8.5 qt: Ideal for larger families, entertaining or cooking in bulk.
Remember, advertised capacity isn’t always usable cooking capacity. Check the manufacturer’s recommended fill level.
2. Manual or Digital?
Basic slow cookers typically offer three settings: low, high and keep warm. For many people, that’s perfectly adequate. Digital models offer programmable timers, with some automatically switching to keep warm when cooking finishes. Worth paying more for? Yes, if you regularly want to set your cooking time and have the appliance manage the rest.
3. Look for a Sear Function
Some slow cookers have removable cooking pots that can be used directly on the hob (stovetop in the US). This allows you to brown meat or soften onions before slow cooking, developing flavour without needing an extra frying pan.
4. Think about Cleaning and Storage
Look for a removable, dishwasher-safe cooking pot.
- Ceramic pots: Retain heat well but can be heavy.
- Metal pots: Generally lighter, with some suitable for hob use.
- Oval pots: Particularly useful for whole chickens and larger joints of meat (roasts in the US).
And don’t forget to check the appliance’s dimensions. Some of the larger multi-cookers take up considerable cupboard or worktop space.
5. Popular UK Slow Cookers Worth Considering
Best for Every day morphy richards sear and stew
Practical, ability to sear ingredients, and use on a compatible Hob. Ideal for everyday family meals without spending a fortune.
Best for CONVENIENCE Crock-Pot Lift & Serve digital
Programmable cooking, automatic keep warm function. Good for preparing something simple with a few useful extras, especially ahead of time
Best for colour and style Swan retro slow cooker
Practical, ability to sear ingredients, and use on a compatible Hob. Ideal for everyday family meals without spending a fortune.
Best pREMIUM bUY FOR LARGE FAMILIES Ninja Possible Cooker Pro Plus
8L slow, 9 in 1, batch cook, sear, sauté & steam. Browns meat, softens vegetables directly in pot before slow cooking. Less washing up!
6. Popular US Slow Cookers Worth Considering
BEST BUDGET FRIENDLY OPTION cROCK-POT 7 QUART MANUAL
Straight forward, controls, generous capacity, no unnecessary extras. Reliable slow cooking without extra features.
BEST FOR CONVENIENCE HAMILTON BEACH SET
Programmable features, ideal if you want more control over cooking times, without having to monitor throughout the day.
BEST PREMIUM BUY NINJA MULTI POT XL
7.5 qt, slow, batch, sear, sauté & steam and more. Three swappable pots. Dual zone technology, cook 2 meals at 2 different temperatures.
7. Slow Cooker Books Worth Buying
UK Picks:
- Best Overall: Bored of Lunch The Healthy Slow Cooker Book. A bestselling collection of easy, calorie-counted recipes, including curries, stews and family favourites.
- Best For Beginners: Bored of Lunch Six Ingredient Slow Cooker. Simple recipes using just six ingredients. Perfect for anyone wanting to keep shopping lists short.
- Best for Food Lovers: Poppy Cooks The Actually Delicious Slow Cooker Cookbook. For anyone wanting to move beyond traditional casseroles and make something a little more exciting.
US Picks:
- Best for Variety: Fix-It and Forget-It Big Cookbook. An extensive collection of 1,400 slow cooker recipes covering everything from everyday dinners to entertaining.
- The Best for Learning: The Complete Slow Cooker by America’s Test Kitchen. A comprehensive collection of tested recipes, with useful explanations of cooking methods and techniques.
- Best for Lighter Meals: Skinnytaste Fast and Slow. A mix of slow cooker and quick recipes, ideal for busy households looking for lighter everyday meals.
Before you go…a little advice from the shop floor
Don’t pay for features you won’t use. If all you want is to put a casserole on in the morning and come home to dinner, a basic slow cooker will do the job beautifully.
