Best slow cookers 2018
Dreary winter weather calls for some hearty homemade dishes. But slaving over a hot stove is the last thing we want to do after a long, busy day at work. The humble slow cooker is a kitchen saviour to many, providing a fuss-free way to put a meal on your plate at an affordable price. These aptly-named pots are designed to cook meals slowly without you constantly checking on them, meaning you can come home to a comforting dish that's made to perfection.
The market has plenty of slow cookers at a number of different price points – from as little as £10 to £100, so it’s a good idea to find out which features you require most before you buy. Some are designed with a ‘keep warm’ setting for keeping already-cooked food at serving temperature until you’re ready to eat. There are also models with transparent lids – so you can keep an eye on your cooking without it losing heat.
The size you need depends on how much grub you want to get out of it. While some pots state a 4L capacity, you won’t end up with 4 litres of food. Most slow cookers should be filled up approximately halfway and no more than two-thirds full. If you’re cooking for 1-2 people, go for a small 1.5-3L cooker – which has a useable capacity of around 2 litres –or a medium 3-5L one to cook for 3-4 people. Those cooking for more than 5 people will need a large 5-6.5L pot.
Here are some of the best slow cookers from the likes of Tefal, Morphy Richards and Lakeland for every budget and family size.
Crock-Pot Digital Slow Cooker
A leading brand of slow cookers since the 70s, this slow cooker Crock Pot offers plenty of reliable and easy-to-use options. Our favourite is the glossy-black Digital model, which is complete with a 20-hour digital timer and countdown display that lets you plan your meals ahead. This cooker has 3 heat settings (low to high), so can be used to cook anything from meats to desserts. Its 4.7L capacity is just the right size for groups of 4-5 people and it comes with a two year guarantee. Impressively enough, its removable stoneware also doubles up as a serving dish.
£40 | John Lewis | Buy it now
Sage by Heston Blumenthal Fast Slow Pro Slow Cooker
Featuring clear and convenient controls, the Fast Slow Pro is cleverly designed for all cooking levels and has an LCD screen that lets you monitor what’s happening inside. Its useful pre-set functions include sautéing, steaming and pressure cooking. If you’re not sure what time certain foods need, this slow cooker automatically adjusts time, temperature and pressure depending on what you are making. With a whopping 6L capacity, it’s ideal for big families with around 4-6 people and features a keep-warm function to ensure your food is the perfect temperature to serve for up to two hours.
£199.95 | John Lewis | Buy it now
Tefal RK302E15 8-in-1 Multi Cooker
This nifty Tefal cooker is a great bet for small homes and is designed with a carry handle for moving around the kitchen with ease. It has a 2.2L capacity that’s suitable for serving 1-2 people and comes with handy extras like a measuring cup, spoon and recipe booklet – so you’re getting plenty of bangs for your buck here. A delayed start function lets you set it to cook up to 15 hours in advance, while its keep-warm setting can make sure your food is hot for up to 24 hours. The non-stick coated bowl, which is both removable and dishwasher-safe, makes this slow cooker a breeze to clean afterwards too.
£72.80 | Amazon | Buy it now
Morphy Richards Accents Sear and Stew Slow Cooker
This lightweight option slow cooker lets you sear and brown your meat in the same pan right before cooking, leaving you with rich dishes packed with flavour. Boasting a large 3.5L capacity (serving up to 5 people), each of its parts are dishwasher safe that make for easy cleaning. It’s also designed from shatterproof material for peace of mind and a sturdy transparent glass lid that lets you keep an eye on your cooking. All that’s missing is a keep-warm setting.
£23 | Amazon | Buy it now
Lakeland 3.5l Slow Cooker
Another durable 3.5L slow cooker that comes with a see-through lid for easy monitoring. To ensure even cooking, this one has a heating element that encircles the crock to prevent hot spots from forming. The ‘low’ setting is just the ticket for simmering vegetables, while the ‘high’ setting cooks stews in half the time. It comes with 4 (simple) recipes to get you started, too. Also dishwasher safe.
£32.99 | Lakeland | Buy it now
Cookworks Slow Cooker
Big enough for a joint of meat, this is a great cooker for those wanting to have a go at slow cooking without forking out for an expensive machine. With three heat settings and a ceramic bowl, it’s simple to use and will produce tenderly cooked dishes. Though not as high quality as more expensive models, it has a great price point and will get the job done.
£19.99 | Argos | Buy it now
VonShef Slow Cooker
If you like to host dinner parties or have a large extended family that descends en masse on a regular basis, this 6.5 litre slow cooker is the answer to low key, fuss free meals. It can feed up to twenty people and will keep food warm or hot for as long as you need. Best of all, the inside bowl is dishwasher safe.
£27.99 | Amazon | Buy it now
Verdict:
Sturdy, reliable and decently-priced, the Crock-Pot Digital is our go-to for evenly-cooked meals no fuss whatsoever. Its digital timer and countdown display makes planning meals beforehand a doddle and its generous 4.7L size means you’ll get plenty of food out of it.
