15 Best Slow Cookers To Buy In 2021
tikendrajit pegu 
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Slow cooking is an excellent way to enhance the taste and flavor of your meal. It also keeps the nutrition of the food intact. However, slow cooking is a time-consuming process that requires the right kind of vessel and stove. This is when an electric slow cooker or crockpot can come to your rescue.
It lets you prepare your meals unattended by locking its aroma, taste, and nutrients inside. All you have to do is put the ingredients in the pot, set the timer, and get busy with other chores for the day. And after waiting for a while, you can have a warm and inviting dish ready in the pot.
Slow cookers can be used for various meal courses, from soups to stews, curries to gravy dishes, and flavored rice to sweet delicacies. In this post, we have listed some of the best slow cookers available online so that you can embark on your exciting cooking experience.
Top Picks
15 Best Slow Cookers To Buy In 2021
1. Crockpot 6-Quart Cook & Carry Slow Cooker
The Crockpot brand is synonymous with slow cookers and is known for manufacturing trusted products for decades. The cook and carry slow cooker has reliable side handles and a secure airtight lid to keep your food intact. Its design makes it an ideal portable device that can serve you delicious meals anywhere and anytime.
The cooker has a capacity of six quarts that is enough for up to seven people. Its timer function lets you program and set preparation time between 30 minutes and 20 hours. Once the cooking is complete, it automatically shifts to warm-mode, keeping the food at the right temperature until you are ready to relish it.
Pros
- Locking lid with rubber gasket prevents leaks and spills
- Dishwasher-friendly
- Removable stoneware makes cleaning easy
- Ceramic pot can be used in a microwave
- Includes a recipe book
Cons
- Rubber gasket could be thin and may wear out fast
- Cooker body may get too hot
- Doesn’t have a programmable start setting
2. Elite Gourmet Slow Cooker
The Elite Gourmet slow cooker has a capacity of 1.5 quarts, which is perfect for cooking small portions. It comprises a good quality ceramic insert pot, a stainless steel cooker body, and a tempered glass cover lid.
The cooking process is simple, with three temperature settings: high, low, and warm. Its cool-touch side handles make it easy to lift the cooker with prepared food inside. This cooker’s compact size makes it easy to carry around so you can have self-cooked meals wherever you prefer.
Pros
- Compact design for portability
- Dishwasher-safe
- See-through glass lid for easy inspection of food
- Ideal for a variety of foods
Cons
- Timer function is not programmable
- Capacity is limited to one person only
3. Hamilton Beach 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
Hamilton Beach offers a feature-rich modern slow cooker that can cook delicious stews and broths, and roast meat. It comes with three modes of cooking: program, probe, and manual. The special probe is particularly great for cooking meat as it lets you check and then set the ideal target temperature required for the roast. Its six-quart capacity provides ample space for cooking large portions of your favorite meal.
Pros
- Auto-warm mode gets activated once cooking is complete
- Tight gasket lid with attachments for a secure fit
- Temp Tracker probe thermometer to check the internal temperature
- Program cooking time up to 14 hours
Cons
- Intricate form factor could make cleaning difficult
- External body may get overheated
4.Instant Pot Aura Pro Programmable Slow Cooker
Instant Pot offers the Auro Pro slow cooker capable of doing much more than just slow cooking. It features 11 different cooking modes, letting you try your hand at all types of recipes. The cooking modes are highly programmable with both time and temperature controllability. It also features the highly convenient ‘delay start’ function making it possible to start the cooking later. Be it a family dinner or an office party, the eight-quart pot ensures enough food is ready when it’s time to eat.
Pros
- Delay timer and delay start timer up to 24 hours
- Automatic switch to warm-mode
- Durable stainless steel body
- Non-stick cooking surface
Cons
- Does not have a pressure cooker function
- Could be bulky and heavy
- May take up a lot of space
5. Cuisinart Cook Central 3-In-1 Multi-Cooker
Cuisinart offers three programmable cooking modes, sauté, steam, and slow-cook, in a spacious six-quart capacity multicooker. It is ergonomically designed with a wide oval stainless steel body, easy-to-grip side handles, and a glass lid. The cooker is versatile, letting you try different cooking styles like the browning of the meat, steaming of veggies, and more.
Pros
- Easy-to-read backlit LCD
- Timer function up to 24 hours
- Non-stick cooking surface
- Non-fussy design makes cleaning very easy
Cons
- No delay timer function
- Insert cannot be used in ovens
- Could be heavy and occupies counter space
6. KitchenAid Six-Quart Slow Cooker
The KitchenAid slow cooker comes with a sleek and uncluttered look. It has an ergonomic oval shape with a polished stainless steel body contributing to its good looks. The cooking mode buttons are laid out in a user-friendly way, providing intuitive operation.
High, medium, and low modes of the cooker let you control the heat level according to your preference. The timer enables you to set the heating time up to 24 hours, and the backlit display shows the timer countdown. The product has high utility with an aesthetic addition to any modern kitchen.
Pros
- Auto-warm mode up to four hours post cooking
- Dual split-lid
- Ceramic insert is dishwasher safe
- Compact form factor with decent capacity
Cons
- Timer setting can be done only in increments of 30 minutes
- Doesn’t have a probe hole
7. Disney Pixar Slow Cooker
Bringing a dash of fun to the otherwise dull world of kitchen appliances, the Disney slow cooker features cartoon mug shots of some popular Disney-Pixar characters on the front of the cooking pot. This spacious seven-quart capacity pot is perfect for various recipes like thick stews, pulled pork, poulet roti, and desserts. It comes with an easy-to-use knob to choose among three heat settings: high, low, and warm.
Pros
- Simple and user-friendly design
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Big transparent lid makes inspection convenient
- Multiple heat settings
Cons
- Doesn’t have an auto-warm mode
- No timer options included
- May take longer to heat up
8. Elite Gourmet Maxi-Matic Slow Cooker
If you are looking for a high functioning, basic slow cooker, the Maxi-Matic cooker can be an excellent choice. The 1.5-quart capacity cooker is aimed for single users who cook in small portions. Its mode selection knob can be used to choose from low, high, and warm modes. Cool-touch knobs and side handles offer a safe handling experience. It is especially handy for those who want to carry their cooker everywhere to make healthy meals.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Tempered clear glass cover for easy inspection
- Removable inner stoneware for easy cleaning
- Dishwasher-safe
Cons
- Lacks timer or programmable function
- May not be suitable for cooking meat
9. Elite Platinum Maxi-Matic Triple Slow Cooker
The versatile Maxi-Matic buffet-style triple cooker lets you prepare three separate dishes in one go. Each of the three cookers has 2.5 quarts capacity with high, low, and warm modes to choose from for cooking. It is highly convenient to use at parties or gatherings as once the cooking is completed, it can be used as a buffet-style server with the food kept warm at a keep-warm mode.
Pros
- Dishwasher-friendly
- Transparent glass lid with steam vent
- Removable stoneware inserts for easy clean-up
- Easy to use and maintain
- Ideal for various food preparations
Cons
- No programmable functions or timers
- Big size may take up counter space
10. Presto Nomad Traveling Slow Cooker
As the name suggests, the Nomad slow cooker is designed to be carried along on your camping outings and picnics. Its wide body ensures firm placement without the risk of tipping over. The cooker has a long swing-up handle and a cool-touch insulated body to carry and handle conveniently. Its large eight-quart capacity can meet the food requirements of a small crowd. With this spacious surface and portable design, you cannot miss out on your favorite homemade food even when exploring the outside world.
Pros
- Locking lids ensure no spill
- Keeps food hot inside without heat reaching the surface
- Removable utensil holder that doubles as a spoon rest
- Unique and practical design
Cons
- No programmable timer functions
- See-through glass could be small
11. Breville Fast Slow Pro Slow Cooker
Breville applies its technological prowess to its slow cooker that automatically adjusts the temperature and pressure as per the cooking duration. Sensors are placed at the upper and lower surfaces to monitor the cooking and utilize the steam-release to impart ideal texture and flavor to the food. The advanced cooker can perform various cooking styles like slow cook, steam, and sauté and sear. The digital interface makes interaction convenient, with just a few switches that are easy to operate.
Pros
- 11 pressure cook settings
- Valve and locking lid with safety features
- Interactive display screen to choose from cooking styles
- Condensation catching moat doesn’t let the counter get messy
Cons
- Cleaning process may be cumbersome
- May not be portable
12. Crockpot Casserole Crock Slow Cooker
The Casserole Crock is a versatile appliance that lets you prepare your favorite baking and casserole recipes at home. It is designed keeping the baking needs in mind and comes with internal stoneware that can be conveniently used inside ovens and microwaves. The appliance is casserole-shaped with a wide transparent glass lid that can be clamped securely on the sides.
It has a capacity of 3.5 quarts that can easily feed a group of four and has side handles for portability. A smooth knob lets you choose from low, high, and warm cooking modes. Treat your guests with your new lasagna recipe, which you can try in the Casserole Crock cooker.
Pros
- Dishwasher-friendly lid and stoneware
- Locking lid system
- Lightweight and portable
- Programmable timer with the keep-warm setting
Cons
- Tends to get overheated when operating for more than four hours
- May leak when in use for a few hours
- Could be bulky and occupy plenty of space
13. Black-Decker Digital Slow Cooker
If you are looking for an elegant and stylish slow cooker for your kitchen, you will love the Black-Decker slow cooker. It has a chalkboard surface and a classy finish that gives the cooker a sleek, appealing look. With a seven-quart capacity, it is a suitable option for a family and friends’ get-together. It features programmable timer options and an auto-warm mode to let you have freshly cooked food without constant monitoring.
Pros
- Dishwasher-safe pot and glass lid
- Ergonomic handles make transport easy
- Stay-on mode to extend the cooking time
- Wire-locking lid to prevent any spillage
Cons
- Outer surface heats up fast
- Cooking speed could be slow
14. Calphalon Digital Slow Cooker
Calphalon offers a multipurpose sleek black cooker capable of searing, browning, sauté, and slow cooking. The high-quality ceramic cooking top provides more heat compared to other standard cookers. The cooking interface features a timer function that is programmable with a modern backlit display and has a capacity of 5.3 quarts, which is an excellent choice for serving food to a small gathering of friends. Its two heat settings with the auto warm function can be controlled with a knob.
Pros
- Uniform heating with the high-quality ceramic crockpot
- Attractive and modern design
- Cooking modes indicated in the display
- Ideal for all kinds of food preparation
Cons
- May have a short power cord
- Cannot be cleaned in a dishwasher
15. Tru Dual Crock Buffet Slow Cooker
The Tru dual cooker lets you prepare two dishes simultaneously, making it an excellent choice for making combo dishes that complement each other. Treat your friends with a combo of spicy wings with cheesy fries or pasta with your special sauce. It has two temperature knobs to control the heat of the two tops separately. Each insert pot comes with a capacity of 1.25 quarts. The device is lightweight and portable and proves to be a convenient cooking companion.
Pros
- Two separate dishes function at different temperatures
- Three heat controls including low, warm, and high
- Cool-touch handles and non-slippery rubber base
- Dishwasher-safe inserts and covers
Cons
- No digital timer or keep-warm feature
- Not suitable for cooking large portions
How To Choose The Right Slow Cooker?
Here are a few important parameters to consider when purchasing a slow cooker.
- Timer programmability: Having a timer function on your cooker lets you decide the duration of cooking and when the food gets ready. The common timer function is to set the number of hours for heating. Another useful function is the ‘delay timer,’ which lets you decide when the cooking will start.
- Cooking modes: The standard heating modes available in most electric slow cookers are low and high heat modes. Advanced cookers provide further options like steaming, pressure cooking, sautéing, and many more.
The ‘keep-warm’ mode keeps the cooked food warm till you open the cooker. Some cookers have the feature of auto-switching to ‘keep warm’ mode once the cooking is completed.
- Pot capacity: It is good to know your requirements in advance about the quantity you want to cook in your device. The market is full of appliances that offer suitable products that meet varied needs. A single person usage cooker will be smaller and affordable than a big six or more quart capacity cooker.
- Ergonomics: How well your cooker is designed directly reflects the usage experience. Some essential components are cold-touch, on-slippery handles, lids with proper fit, and a non-slippery base adding to your delight. A good design also ensures easy operation and maintenance. Simple contours with fewer intricacies make washing and cleaning convenient.
A slow cooker makes it possible to prepare food with the least amount of effort. It is a must-have appliance for those who prefer homemade food made with healthy ingredients over outside food. It is also excellent for those who want to experiment with certain cooking styles, which might not be possible in a traditional cooker. So, go ahead and try your hand with one of the slow cookers listed in the post. Bon Appetit!
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