The 6 Best Crock-Pots & Slow Cookers
People often wonder, “What’s the difference between a Crock-Pot and a slow cooker?” The honest answer is there isn’t one; a Crock-Pot is just a brand of slow cooker. But there are different types of slow cookers, which we’ll discuss in this article.
From Tosca
Let a slow cooker do the work for you
There’s really nothing I love more than coming home to a dinner that’s hot, smells delicious and is ready to eat. A good slow cooker can make dinners easier and healthier. Slow cookers use lower temperatures to cook food, which keeps more of your food’s nutrients intact!
I hope one of the slow cookers on this list brings you as much delicious convenience as mine brings me!
Manual Slow Cookers
Manual slow cookers generally have one knob or a couple of buttons with a few settings: low heat, high heat, and sometimes a warming setting.
Manual slow cookers tend to be less expensive, easier to use, and less vulnerable to malfunctions due to their simpler designs.
Crock-Pot 7-Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker
$49
Pros
- Includes warming setting
- Comes with free recipes
- Dishwasher-safe insert & lid
Cons
- No automatic shut-off
This quintessential, albeit slightly larger than average, slow cooker from Crock-Pot can feed 9 people or fit a 7-pound roast. The stoneware insert can be used in the oven or microwave up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Slow Cooker
$35
Pros
- Includes warming setting
- Dishwasher-safe insert & lids
- Stoneware can be brought to table for serving
Cons
- No automatic shut-off
This 4-quart Hamilton Beach slow cooker is a reasonably-sized option for a relatively low price. It can easily fit a 4-pound chicken or 2 2-pound roasts. This slow cooker generally feeds two people.
Elite Gourmet MST-350B Electric Oval Slow Cooker
$23
Pros
- Cool-touch handles
- Dishwasher-safe stoneware & lid
- Includes warming setting
Cons
- No automatic shut-off
The MST-350B from Elite Gourmet has the standard settings for a manual slow cooker and the added bonus of cool-touch handles. This model serves two people or is an excellent option for appetizers and dips with larger groups.
Programmable Slow Cookers
While programmable slow cookers offer the same basic settings as a manual slow cooker, they provide additional functions like timers and automatic shut-offs. These slow cookers are a little trickier to learn but can give you more control over the results.
Crock-Pot SCCPVL610-S-A 6-Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker
$69
Pros
- Includes digital times
- Automatically shifts to warming setting
- Stoneware insert & lid are dishwasher-safe
Cons
- Lid is not microwave safe
This 6-quart programmable slow cooker is highly portable. The lid securely latches on top so you can prevent spills in transit. Thanks to the timer settings, you can cook meals anywhere between 30 minutes and 20 hours.
Hamilton Beach Portable 6 Quart Set & Forget Digital Programmable Slow Cooker
$79
Pros
- Includes temperature probe
- Includes “manual” setting
- Switches to warming at specific time or temperature
Cons
- No delay-start setting
This programmable slow cooker has a capacity of 6 quarts and is highly versatile. The lid can latch on tightly to reduce the risk of spills. It even comes with a temperature probe, allowing you to track the temperature of the food inside the pot—it’s an easy way to ensure every dish you make is safe and ready to eat.
KOOC 8.5-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
$99
Pros
- Can make large quantities
- Lockable lid to prevent spillage
- Includes delayed-start feature
Cons
- Exterior may become hot to the touch
This 8.5-quart slow cooker offers control over when and how your food cooks. When the timer runs out, the pot automatically switches to warm mode. You can even delay the start of cooking so your dinner is perfectly timed. As a bonus, this pot comes with liners for easy cleanup.
Buyer’s Guide
What to Look for When Buying a Slow Cooker
Although many slow cookers have similar features, not all of them will suit your needs.
Portability
If you plan to use your slow cooker for entertaining, you’ll want to consider portability. The stoneware should look nice on your serving surface, and the lid should latch in case you need to transport it to an event like a potluck.
Stoneware & Lid Materials
You can save yourself some cleanup time if your lid and stoneware inserts are dishwasher-safe. Your stoneware may also be oven and microwave-safe up to a specific temperature, but your lid may not be! Be sure to check the product specs and read the instructions carefully.
Settings
How much control do you want? Programmable slow cookers vary somewhat in terms of their settings, so it’s good to identify what settings you want, what settings you need, and what settings you can do without.