The Best Slow Cookers to Buy: How to Choose the Right One for You
There’s no denying that slow cookers are a game-changing kitchen gadget. We use ours so often, it’s a firm fixture on our kitchen worktop! You just can’t beat coming home to a meal that’s been simmering low and slow all day…
It’s not just about the convenience – they’re budget-friendly too. You can take cheaper cuts of meat, vegetables or other ingredients, and turn them into luxurious-tasting midweek wonders with minimal effort.
With so many options available (in different sizes with varying features), it’s easy to feel overwhelmed while you’re shopping for the perfect slow cooker. We’ve put together this simple buying guide to help you figure out the right make and model for you.
Once you’re set up and ready to go, be sure to take a leisurely scroll through our collection of slow cooker friendly recipes!
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Pinch of Nom: Slow Cooker is simmering away now
It’s no secret that we love our trusty slow cooker at Pinch of Nom! That’s why we’re bringing out a whole Slow Cooker book filled with delicious, one-pot wonders for you to try on September 25th.
Pre-order by tapping here (or on the image below) to grab your copy!
What is a slow cooker?
A slow cooker is a simple, mains-powered appliance designed to cook food gently over several hours. It consists of a heating element, a removable pot (usually ceramic or aluminium), and a lid that locks in moisture and flavour.
What makes slow cookers so special is their versatility. While they’re famous for heartier dishes and casseroles like our beloved Campfire Stew, they’re capable of so much more!
From Enchilada Lasagne to desserts like Chai Rice Pudding, your trusty kitchen gadget allows you to get surprisingly creative with your midweek menu.
It’s also really handy for busy lives, as you can leave it cooking while you’re at work, sorting things around the house, or to free up your oven for other side dishes.
Come home to a rich, tomatoey pot filled with succulent Pulled Pork – we’ve used budget-friendly pork shoulder to make six generous servings.
We’ve pulled together a list of some of the main questions to think about when shopping for a slow cooker, but please remember to thoroughly check the specs before buying:
What features should I look out for?
Not every slow cooker is the same! Bear in mind that the more features your slow cooker has, the more expensive it’ll be.
Here are some of the common nice-to-haves you’ll want to look out for:
- Timer: Allows you to delay cooking start time – perfect if you’re out longer than expected!
- Digital display: This tends to be a more high-end feature. It’s really handy to check where your cooking is up to, and allows you to select pre-set functions.
- Indicator light: This may seem like a simple one but because slow cookers take a long time to heat up, you may not realise that it’s switched on right away. An indicator light will tell you when it’s switched on as a reminder, so you can avoid a dinnertime emergency.
- Hob-friendly inner pot: Slow-cooked meat can lose its colour when slow-cooked; using the inner pot to sear and brown meat on the hob first is a nifty trick to keep in mind. Plus, less washing-up is always a bonus for us!
When you’re making our Slow Cooker Sausage Casserole, it’s always a good idea to brown the sausages in a pan first – to seal in the appetising colour and more flavour.
What size do I need?
Slow cookers range in size from single person 1.5 litre versions to much larger 7 litre options, and it can be hard to know which size will suit you best. Most of the sizes are in litres, so it’s difficult to visualise what this looks like in reality!
You should consider how much storage space you have and also whether you’d like to use the slow cooker for batch-cooking. It’s worth going for a larger one if you’ll be making extra meals for another time, as it saves having to prep more than once.
All of our batch-cook meals freeze like a dream. We tend to double up on portion sizes so that there’s plenty leftover to stash away for lazy days in our favourite Tupperware!
For 1-2 people
If you’re cooking for one or two, then look for a slow cooker capacity between 1.5 and 3 litres. These tend to take up less counter space too and are perfect for smaller portions.
Don’t forget you can adjust the ingredients slider on all of our recipes! How about a hearty bowl of Ham and Bean Casserole on a chilly evening?
For 2-4 people
For families up to 4 people or for smaller families looking to have leftovers, a 3-5 litre capacity should be a good fit. Everyone at the table will love this Slow Cooker Vegetable Stew with Cheesy Dumplings!
For 4+ people
For larger families or for those looking to rustle up a feast, a 5-7 litre slow cooker is ideal. Look for an oval shape to fit larger joints of meat and ribs for fakeaway favourites like our Salt and Pepper Ribs.
What can I find in my budget?
You can find a decent, basic slow cooker for as little as £25.00-£30.00 on Amazon these days. Just keep in mind that the price will creep up if you’re after one with more bells and whistles!
This Geepas 2.5 Litre Slow Cooker is great for single households and couples.
The removable, dishwasher-safe bowl makes cleaning up saucier dishes (like our Slow Cooker Thai-Style Pork Curry) a breeze.
The higher end slow cookers, like this Crock-Pot Sizzle & Stew Digital Slow Cooker, tend to have extra features like stirrers and programmable displays.
This particular one has a hob-safe inner pot for searing and sealing with no extra washing-up!
If you have a little more to spend, you could consider amulti-cooker like an Instant Pot®. You can see our full rundown of what you can cook in the Instant Pot® by tapping here!
These tend to have multiple functions like rice cooking, sauté functions and even yoghurt making.
Again, it’s worth considering your family’s needs and space when deciding which cooker to buy.
Top tips for using your new slow cooker
- Use around a third less liquid than a hob or oven recipe – the slow cooker lid keeps the moisture in rather than letting it evaporate so you need less. For a full guide, see how to convert recipes to a slow cooker. Don’t fear if you’ve used too much liquid! Simply ladle some out or see how to thicken soups and sauces.
- Resist the temptation to have a peek inside! Each time you lift the lid, the heat and steam escape which adds to the cooking time. A glass lid is ideal for checking on your ingredients without spoiling the dish.
- Use cheaper cuts of meat; braising steak, ox cheeks and pork shoulder all work really well in the slow cooker. A perfect example is our Spicy Beef Stew, which uses ox cheeks for a budget-friendly (and freezer-friendly!) family dinner.
Let us know which slow cooker you decide to buy!
We’ve got almost 1 million lovely community members waiting to encourage you on your slimming-friendly slow cooker journey, or answer any recipe questions you might have in our friendly Facebook group.
You can also look for inspo in our Gallery. You’ll need to sign up to a free website account to upload and share your own photos (we’ve got a step-by-step guide on how to do that just here).
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