Ideal for making comforting dishes like casseroles, stews, soups and pot roasts, the trusty slow cooker is a kitchen appliance that’s known for its convenience.
Surprisingly versatile, the slow cooker can do so much more than just casseroles and stews - you should also think of it as a tool for braising, sautéing and steaming.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Bon Appétit’s Alyse Whitney says: “To better utilise the humble appliance, there are only a few tweaks you need to make. Your slow cooker food doesn’t need to be bland and boring.”
Here we pick out five of the best slow cookers available for sale right now.
1. Crock-Pot Digital Slow Cooker 5L CSC026
Crock-Pot
Stylish and reliable, this model is especially good for slow-cooked meat or hearty stews. It has a 20-hour digital timer and a pot that can be used on all types of hob or in the oven.
2. Morphy Richards 3.5-litre Digital Sear and Stew Slowcooker 460015
Morphy Richards
This mid-sized model is easy to use and clean, and automatically switches to warm mode when it’s done. The inner pan can also be used on the hob to pre-cook ingredients.
3. Sage The Fast Slow Pro 6L Slow Cooker
Sage
It’s pricier than most, but this Sage model can be used for pressure cooking, sautéing and steaming as well as slow-cooking stews. The searing function means you can have perfect meat without a pan.
4. Lakeland 6L Slow Cooker
Lakeland
If you just want a simple cooker you can leave for 6-8 hours without fiddling about with lots of settings, this model is a great choice. It’s big enough to batch-cook for a family.
5. Swan 1.5L Slow Cooker Retro
Swan
This compact cooker cooks dishes consistently, and comes in a range of colours. It has no option to keep food warm, but is still very good value for the price.
-
How will the new Repayment Assistance Plan for student loans work?the explainer The Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) will replace existing income-driven repayment plans
-
In the Spotlight Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been at odds with US forces
-
Music reviews: Ethel Cain, Amaarae, and The Black KeysFeature "Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You," "Black Star," and "No Rain, No Flowers"
-
Recipe: gnocchi di spinaci (spinach gnocchi)The Week Recommends Forget the potatoes for this gnocchi made of the 'classic combination' of spinach and ricotta
-
Recipe: chickpea, cavolo nero and harissa stewThe Week Recommends Tinned tomatoes are warmed by harissa paste and become the base for a versatile stew
-
Recipe: nasi goreng spicy fried riceThe Week Recommends Perfect for weeknights, this gluten-free twist on Indonesian fried rice is 'oh-so-good'
-
Recipe: pistachio, lemon and coriander seed cakeThe Week Recommends The unconventional coriander seeds 'make the flavours sing'
-
Recipe: potato & leek soup with garlic croutons by Ian BursnallRecipe Spoon up this creamy, comforting soup, with a cheesy, crunchy topping
-
Recipe: cauliflower and potato coconut curry by Ryan RileyThe Week Recommends This spicy dish is a restorative winter pick-me-up
-
Recipe: muhammara chickpeas by Amelia Christie-MillerThe Week Recommends A flavour-packed dip with walnuts, red peppers and plenty of spices
-
Recipe: root vegetable gratin by Blanche VaughanThe Week Recommends A comforting dish, packed with veggies and golden brown all over
