Best America’s Test Kitchen Slow Cooker

1. Capacity: The first thing you should consider when buying a slow cooker is its capacity. Most slow cookers have capacities between 1 and 7 quarts. Each capacity has different uses, so make sure you buy one that suits your needs.

A 1-quart slow cooker is perfect for making dips, stews, and sauces. If you are limited on kitchen cabinet space, then a 1-quart slow cooker is perfect for you.

A 2- to 3-quart slow cooker is perfect for making individual portions of soup, stew, or chili. A 3- to 4-quart slow cooker will cook enough for at least 2 servings.

A 5- to 7-quart slow cooker is perfect for making large portions of chili, soup, or stew for dinner and leftovers for lunch the next day.

If you are cooking for a big group of people, you will want to consider buying two different sizes.

2. Wattage: Slow cookers come in a variety of wattages, from 500 watts all the way up to 1000 watts or higher. The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook.

If you are preparing a dish that requires a long cook time, you may not want your food to cook too quickly. In that case, you can purchase a low-wattage slow cooker to ensure a more controlled cooking.

Higher-wattage cookers are great for dishes that require a shorter cook time. If you are planning to cook a soup or stew that will take 8 hours or more to reach the perfect temperature for serving, then a slow cooker with a high wattage is your best bet.

3. Control Panel: While most slow cookers all work similarly, the control panel is where you can find differences between models.

Some control panels offer simple on/off settings, while others offer a variety of settings to cook your food at different temperatures for varying lengths of time. If you want a slow cooker that offers a wide range of settings, be sure to purchase one with a control panel that offers more than an on/off switch.

4. Timer: Having a timer on your slow cooker can make all the difference. If you are out of the house or just can’t remember to turn your slow cooker on, then you will want to purchase one with a timer.

5. Safety Features: Some slow cookers come with built-in safety features, while others do not. If you are planning to cook liquids, such as soups and stews, then you will want your slow cooker to have a lid that will prevent the liquids from boiling over.

If you are planning to cook meats in your slow cooker, then you will want a model that comes with a lid that has a clip to hold it down, preventing it from flipping over during the cooking process.

6. Style: While all slow cookers do pretty much the same thing, they come in a variety of different styles. You can find slow cookers that are designed like a stockpot, where the lid and the pot are one piece.

You can also find slow cookers that look like a traditional slow cooker with a stoneware insert. If you are limited on kitchen cabinet space, then a slow cooker with a lid that fits into the base is perfect for you.

7. Materials: Most slow cookers are made from either ceramic or steel. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages, so you will want to consider what matters most to you before