After testing many slow cookers over the years, this countertop cooker remains our favorite, see our in-depth Wolf slow cooker review for the pros and cons of this unit. Consumer Reports says, “Slow cooking performance was very good. Sautéing performance was very good,” rating each function 4 out of 5. Best for: If you don’t plan to slow cook often, these appliances offer more versatility with multiple cooking functions. Before getting started: Learn how to use a slow cooker like a pro. For example, you’ll want to sauté onions before using them in a recipe — first for flavor, but also becausein some slow cookers raw onions can result in a metallic taste.

slow cookers for low-cost meals 2023 - Rest Less 12 best slow cookers for low-cost meals 2023 - Rest Less

Are you replacing an older model? If so, be prepared for warmer cooking temps. If you usually cook on high, you’ll want to try the low setting first. Do you get curious about the cooking process? Look for a glass lid so you can see inside the pot without removing the cover. We like this style because these large slow cookers can brown meat and sauté vegetables all in the same pot — and having one less pan to clean is very helpful on busy days (i.e. when we tend to use a slow cooker).

What are the benefits of slow cooking?

Is a slow cooker the right appliance? Learn why a slow cooker may or may not be the best fit for your situation. Many people only need a simple high-quality dutch oven. Can you brown meat in a slow cooker? Yes, many slow cookers have a browning feature. And to get the most flavor out of your food, you’ll usually want to sear meat and sauté vegetables. A slow cooker with browning (aka a multi-cooker) helps to cut down on clean up time in the kitchen. New to slow cookers? Overall, there are three main types of countertop slow cookers to choose from. Deciding which style best meets your needs is the first step in buying a slow cooker. We prefer a slow cooker with a sauté function, but you’ll want to consider the pros and cons of each type to choose the “best” option for your kitchen. See our recommendations within each of the 3 categories: Consider: The taller, round shape of these pots can make it difficult to sear large roasts. And the Slow Cook setting on many instant pot style cookers often doesn’t work as well as a dedicated slow cooker. Before buying a pressure cooker, learn more about a slow cooker vs pressure cooker — you might decide pressure cookers are overly-complicated for your needs.

Breville The Searing Slow Cooker | Harvey Norman Breville The Searing Slow Cooker | Harvey Norman

The Best Slow Cooker: The high-quality, 7-quart Wolf Gourmet Multi Cooker is an all-around winner. It is a reliable slow cooker with a non-toxic stainless steel insert for sautéing or searing. What size slow cooker is best? The needed capacity depends on how many people you cook for regularly and the meals you make. A typical family will enjoy a large 6-7 quart model and most slow cooker recipes are geared toward this size. But if you have limited kitchen space and cook for two, then you might prefer a small slow cooker. Learn more about slow cooker sizes.

America’s Test Kitchen and Cook’s Illustrated have a mission to find the best equipment for home cooks with thorough, hands-on testing. ATK tested 8 cookers in their most recent test and recommends the following models:

Best slow cookers of 2023 from Crock Pot, Morphy Richards and

Electric pressure cookers offering a slow cook mode. Also called multi-cookers. These programmable devices are usually round and deep. Pressure cooking is their primary role, with slow cooking offered as a secondary function. These pots also allow for searing and sautéing. Slow cookers with sear/sauté function and metal inserts. These devices are often called multi-cookers. These programmable devices have larger, oblong-shaped metal pots. Overall these tend to cook slightly faster than the ceramic style discussed above. Within this category, you’ll find manual slow cookers and programmable slow cookers. Manual slow cookers work fine for warming sauces or dips, but they require extra monitoring so we don’t recommend them for unattended cooking (learn why a “ slow cooker timer” is not the solution). Programmable slow cookers allow you to cook for a set time and usually offer a Keep Warm function. Do you need a programmable slow cooker? Yes, most people will want to opt for a programmable digital model (versus manual) that automatically switches to “keep warm” when the cook cycle is finished. This gives you flexibility on what time you arrive home for dinner. The Best Slow Cooker: Wolf Gourmet Multi Cooker — the reliable searing model we use, the next best searing option is the GreenPan

The Smart Slow Cooker is 100% independent and reader-supported. No sponsored content. No ads. No influence. verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ Slow cookers are a great kitchen tool for hands-off cooking. Any of the top-rated slow cookers above will help you enjoy a home-cooked meal at the end of the day. What should you look for in a slow cooker? When buying a new slow cooker keep in mind how and when you realistically will use the appliance. After that, find a brand and model that meets your general criteria (size, price point, features, etc.) and give it a try. Consider these FAQs: