Slow Cooker Deals & Offers

Slow Cooker Features Buyers Need to Know About

• Timers

  Ideally, you want to find a slow cooker with a precise timer. Slow cookers come into their own when they can be set up before work or at the start of the day, and finish cooking at just the right moment. Pre-programmed timings help to fit cooking around daily routines.

• Temperature Settings

  Most slow cookers will include low, medium and high temperature settings, while some can be more precisely calibrated. Look for as much flexibility as possible, and also check for a “warming” mode to keep food warm after cooking. If you mess up the timings, this can keep food palatable for whenever you are ready to eat.

• Capacity

  Vessel capacities vary from model to model. Obviously if you are cooking big family meals, you'll want a vessel on the larger end of the scale. A slow cooker 6L model will suit families, while compact 1-3 litre models are great for couples – and may even be a little more efficient as well.

• Shape

  Shape also matters. By and large, slow cookers will be either round or oval. Round pots are ideal for stews and soups, but they won't necessarily be suitable for cooking larger cuts of meat. Pick a shape which suits your diet and the space available on your kitchen surfaces.

• Searing

  Most dishes made in slow cookers require that ingredients are seared prior to slow cooking. Some models incorporate vessels that can be removed and seared on hobs, and some more expensive models even include a searing option with the slow cooker itself.

• Heating Style

  Older and simpler slow cookers rely on a base pad to supply heat. That's fine in many cases, but more advanced appliances include heating elements around the cooking vessel – allowing for more even cooking and potentially lower cooking times.

• Ceramic or Metals?

  The cooking vessel (or “crock”) in a slow cooker will usually be made from ceramics or metals such as aluminium. Ceramic is generally slightly easier to clean, although it can't double up as a stove-top pan. Try to avoid models with non-removable vessels if at all possible, as cleaning will be tricky.

• Smart Features

  As with most kitchen appliances these days, slow cookers can hook up with smartphones to enhance their performance. Apps allow users to set up specific recipes and schedule cooking, ensuring that food is piping hot just when they need it.