Choosing the Right Slow Cooker for Your Kitchen
What to Consider Before Making a Crock Pot Purchase
Dec 5, 2008
Cooking dinner for the family while holding down a full-time job can be challenging. To feed your family healthy, home-cooked meals without spending all evening in the kitchen, consider purchasing a slow cooker. These kitchen appliances have made a comeback with busy parents and professionals. Prepare the ingredients in the morning, and a hot meal will be ready in six to ten hours. There are several important factors to consider before making a purchase.
Size and Capacity
Crock pots come in many different capacities. While it may seem like the easy choice to buy the biggest model, a slow cooker needs to be filled at least halfway to cook properly. People who are only cooking for one or two may not need all the space that a 6 quart model will offer.
Size not only reflects the capacity of a crock pot, but the space that it will take up. Consider whether this slow cooker will stay on the counter or need to be stored in a cupboard. Measuring the space available before making a purchase will save time and hassle.
Slow Cooker Features
Different slow cookers have different controls for the time and temperature of the unit. Basic crock pots might have as few options as just low or high heat while more advanced models can control time and temperature more thoroughly.
Models with a removable ceramic crock offer easy options for serving as well as clean up. Some crock pots even have removable inserts that are dishwasher safe. Crock pots which do not have a removable crock can be difficult to clean, which may be a barrier from using it frequently.
Price Range
There are slow cookers available for every budget, ranging from as low as $20 for a small model to several hundred for an advanced digital device. Decide on a price range before going to the store or checking consumer reviews to save time. To cut the cost, look for simple models or opt for a smaller size.
Popular Slow Cooker Brands
There are many popular brands available, but one of the most common choices is Rival. As original crock pot makers, Rival offers one of the widest arrays of sizes and features. Cuisinart and Kitchenaid also offer comparable models that are easy to use and have solid reviews from consumers and professionals.
Research is the key to choosing the best slow cooker. Understanding what criteria are important before heading to the store will save time and frustration. Cooking with a crock pot is about convenience and making the best purchase will facilitate that goal.
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