We cooked a seven-pound pork roast comfortably in the Set & Forget, and were especially impressed with the temperature probe option because it allowed us to raise the setting to high and speed up cooking time without worrying that the meat would become tough. We also loved its overall design—the casing didn’t get too hot during cooking, it was small enough to store easily, and it felt sturdy without being too heavy. There was no visible dripping between the lining and the casing while it ran, either.

People have differing opinions on cooking food from frozen in a slow cooker. Personally, I would never cook something frozen in a slow cooker, so I can’t recommend putting frozen sausages in a slow cooker. Can You Freeze Sausage Casserole? There was some issue with a dip getting slightly burnt on the sides, which is likely because it was spread out too thin, but the queso we prepared didn't have this problem, so there may be a learning curve when it comes to figuring out proportions. Still, a 20-minute soak and a trip to the dishwasher easily cleaned residue off the liner. There are three settings total: program (which allows you to set a cooking time), probe (which uses the temperature probe to determine doneness), and manual (which lets you set high, low, or warm temperatures without setting a cooking time). We were really impressed by the ease of use; as the name implies, you really can set it and forget it. Not a single dish had any hot spots: Everything came out evenly cooked and delicious. Top Tip:Date and label the container in your freezer so you don’t forget what it is! More Slow Cooker Recipes This 22-pound, 7-quart behemoth has an impressive amount of features, including a temperature probe, a rice cooker setting, and a sous-vide function. However, the price tag doesn’t justify those features, as we had trouble figuring out how to manually program the device, and the pulled pork we made was unevenly cooked and slightly scorched. Instant Pot 6-Quart Electric 5-in-1 Precision Dutch Oven, RedSome slow cookers also give you the option of cooking rice, steaming vegetables, and engaging in other types of food prep. A slow cooker like this is a lot like an Instant Pot. Mini slow cooker prices

Discover the benefits of the best slow cooker for your needs, designed to bring out the natural goodness of your ingredients through a slow and gentle cooking process. The convenience of a digital slow cooker allows you to set and forget, ensuring your meals are ready to enjoy when you are. Whether you opt for a small slow cooker, perfect for intimate dinners, or a large slow cooker for family feasts, our collection caters to kitchens of all sizes. Design: Are you looking for a simple, budget-friendly option that just slow-cooks (but does it extremely well) or something more versatile that sous-vides, pressure cooks, bakes and roasts too? Do bear in mind that the more technological the slow cooker, the higher the price. The majority of slow cooker inserts are made of a stoneware or another substance that’s easy to clean — often in a dishwasher. The exterior housing should never be submerged in water, however.

What other controls does it have?

With so many different slow cookers out there, choosing the right one for you can be confusing. Here are a few questions you might want to consider.

Size: With sizes starting at 1-litre through to a whopping 6.5-litres, choosing the right size for you is imperative. The smallest sizes are suitable when cooking for one or two. 3-litres to 4.5-litres (one of the most popular sizes on the market) serve four, and the large 6-6.5-litre models are super for families and batch cooking. It's also worth bearing in mind that the capacity stated on the sales blurb is the size of the bowl, not the working capacity, which can sometimes be half that. Sausage casserole in a slow cooker is the perfect weeknight dinner; simply add the ingredients in the morning and come home to a deliciously tasty and filling meal. As with most kitchen appliances, slow cookers are only useful if they fit the lifestyle and cooking preferences of the consumer. Slow cookers truly shine when making batches of soups, stews, taco meats, and roasts—which may be limiting to a vegetarian, for instance. They also generally produce large portions of food, which can be great for big households or those who like to entertain, but may be unnecessary for smaller families. A slow cooker’s biggest draw is probably its ability to make food that doesn’t need a lot of maintenance during the cooking process. In fact, programmable slow cookers are meant to be left unattended, doing the cooking for you while you’re at work or running errands. For busy lifestyles, a slow cooker could be a must-have tool. When it comes to pressure cooking, it can hold a sustained 15 psi like a stovetop pressure cooker, so it cooks faster than other electric pressure cookers and can also be used for home canning. This has a large, intuitive touch screen for easy control of all of the functions, along with a simple dial to select the options. From sautéing and making rice or yogurt to slow-cooking stews, this Instant Pot can do it all. The inner cooking pot is stainless steel and dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning when cooking is done. Rice and pasta dishes work best cooked on high for the shortest time possible. Always use easy-cook rice, rinsed well first – the more starch you rinse from the rice, the better the finished result.Alida is a commerce writer for BHG with years of expertise in kitchen, pets, beauty, bedding, and home. She has been working in the commerce media space for well over six years and the media space for over a decade. She specializes in testing products, editing, writing, and strategizing about the rapidly changing online shopping landscape. Programmable slow cookers come equipped with a digital timer and electronic controls. These features allow you to set a specific cooking time, or program the appliance to start at a certain time. Some models even have an automatic keep warm setting to ensure your food stays at the perfect temperature once cooking is complete. This means you can set a slow cooker to begin when you're at work so you can come home to a hot, freshly prepared meal. Capacity