Five Best Slow Cookers (That Aren’t Crock-Pots)
Crockpot is the “Kleenex” of slow cookers, but is it the best? After trying out several brands, it’s easy to say that there are some fantastic slow cookers on the market that are “smart,” programmable, and portable without paying a hefty price tag.
Smart Wi-Fi Enabled Black+Decker Programmable 6-Quart Slow Cooker
Everything is going “Smart” nowadays, and a smart slow cooker is perfect for a busy family. If you’re worried about leaving the appliance on when you’re not home, this Black+Decker slow cooker lets you control the device from just about anywhere. When connected to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection, you can turn it on, off, choose the heat setting, and more. This slow cooker isn’t cheap, but it’s unique. And it’s more affordable than similarly techy brand-name Crock-Pots, and costs around $60-$70.
Hamilton Beach Stay or Go Portable 6-Quart Slow Cooker
Football season is a huge slow cooker season. You might as well just never turn your slow cooker off! Now you can show your football pride without starting fights, thanks to Hamilton Beach. Crock-Pot has several NFL team models, but that could make things even more heated in the kitchen than normal. Hamilton Beach helps you keep your snacks neutral, regardless of who you’re cheering for. Even more handy? The lid locks in place to help you to take it wherever you need without worrying about spillage! Best of all, this Hamilton Beach is less expensive than a similar Crock-Pot, which you can find for around $28-36. There are name-brand Crock-Pots with similar features in this price range. They tend to run a teensy bit more, but not by much at all.
Hamilton Beach Programmable 7-Quart Slow Cooker
Why spend more on a Wi-Fi enabled slow cooker when you can just program it ahead of time? This seven-quart slow cooker allows you to mix and match temperatures with your choice of cooking times. That means you don’t need to watch or stir, making it the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it device! It also comes with a secure travel lid latch strap if you need to take your slow cooker on the go. The price tends to float around $39.
West Bend Versatility Oval-Shaped 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
Have you ever started a meal in a slow cooker, only to realize that it’s cooking far too slowly? With West Bend’s programmable slow cooker, you can start dinner on the base and finish on the stove. Other days you may have plenty of time, and you can use this slow cooker the way slow cookers are designed – to meld food and flavors for several hours. There are four temperatures, an automatic shut off after 24 hours, and it’s completely programmable. This device can go for anywhere from is $55-$85.
Hamilton Beach Set ‘n Forget Programmable Slow Cooker with Temperature Probe
There’s a fine line between cooking something perfectly and cooking it too long. No one wants dry meat, but it’s so hard to figure out when food is cooked to the right temperature. With this six-quart slow cooker, you also get a temperature probe that displays the actual temperature of the meat as it cooks. It’s the ultimate cooking device for someone that wants to finish food with ease. This slow cooker also comes with side latches that keep the lid in place while travelling. The price is usually in the neighboorhood of $45-$50.
