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FAQ
A slow cooker is an electric device that consists of an external heating container and an internal pan for cooking. The pan is heated up by the heating element. A slow cooker also has a lid to keep heat and liquid in the pan, and so in the food. As steam is formed, the liquid drips back into the pan.
A slow cooker cooks food at a low temperature for a long time. The pan never boils, but rather simmers for several hours. This means that you can leave it to cook more or less unattended.
If you want to know more about slow cookers, you should take a look at our test of slow cookers.
If you enjoy slow cooked food, then a slow cooker is a really good investment. What makes a slow cooker so useful is that once you’ve started a meal, the slow cooker takes over and does the work for you. Because it cooks food at such a low temperature, it is relatively independent and you don’t have to worry about something burning.
Cooking food at a low temperature for a long time usually improves the flavours and also makes any meat really tender and tasty.
Which size is best depends a lot on how many people you plan to cook for, and what type of food you plan to cook. If you’re going to cook many large pieces of meat, or something like a large joint of pork, it’s obviously important that the food fits.
If you're planning to cook stews instead, a slightly smaller version may work well. But if you want to be certain to fit in big pieces of meat or make large batches, it’s a good idea to look at the larger models, which are usually around 6 litres.
You can cook everything from rich stews to Sunday roasts in a slow cooker. It's really only your imagination that sets the limits – if you want to bake sweet potatoes, the slow cooker is a great way to do that. Even a potato gratin can be done in a slow cooker.
However, you should be careful about cooking uncooked beans in a slow cooker as some of them contain a toxin that the low temperature doesn’t get rid of. So you should use pre-cooked beans.
A slow cooker usually has two heating modes: LOW and HIGH. The lower setting is usually around 80 degrees, while the higher one is between 90-95 degrees. Usually there’s also a setting for keeping food warm, which you can use when the food is ready but you’re not yet ready to eat it.
Three things to consider before buying a slow cooker
It's often great to make several portions in the slow cooker, either to treat loved ones or to keep for your lunch box. If you're someone who only makes casserole dishes, you don't need as big of a slow cooker as those who want to cook large pieces of meat, ribs, and so on.
There are generally slow cookers with a capacity of 2–6 litres, but if you are not looking for an extra small model, we recommend a slow cooker with a capacity of three litres. This size is usually suitable when cooking for four people, while a model with at least five litres is ideal for larger groups.
As with most kitchen appliances, there are both simpler and more advanced slow cookers. Many models come with smart features that both simplify handling and enable different cooking methods. Some smart and useful features include:
Timer: With a timer, you don't have to keep track of time while cooking. Many models also have a feature that switches them off automatically when the timer ends.
Heat retention: A slow cooker with heat retention keeps your food warm even when the cooking time is over. Some models will start by themselves, while others will require you to turn on the heat retention function.
Different heating modes: Models with multiple heat settings make cooking more efficient, as you can also use the slow cooker to sear, steam, and saute, etc. For example, you can saute vegetables before changing the heat setting, and continue with the rest of the cooking process.
Smart functions are all very well, but it is also important that the slow cooker and its functions are easy to use. Display, clear buttons, and a non-stick coating are all small details that make the slow cooker more user-friendly.
How easy the slow cooker is to clean can also be a factor in how often it is actually used. Most models are cleaned by removing the removable inner pot and washing it up. Some slow cookers require hand washing, but there are also some that you can put in the dishwasher.
Would you like some tasty recipes for dishes to cook in your slow cooker, check out this page.