Cooking can be challenging as the weather cools and the days get shorter. Who has time to stand over a hot stove when so many other things need to be done? That’s where a slow cooker comes in handy. Just set it and forget it! A slow cooker is the perfect kitchen appliance for busy cooks. It’s ideal for making soups, stews, casseroles, and more. Plus, it keeps your food warm and ready to eat when you’re ready. Keep reading to learn more about the many benefits of slow cookers and top-rated options to purchase this fall.
6 Reasons Slow Cookers Are Perfect for Fall Cooking
There’s something so cozy about a slow-cooked meal. Maybe the rich, comforting aromas fill your home as it cooks. Or maybe it’s the fact that you can set it and forget it, freeing up your time to enjoy the chilly autumn weather. Whatever the reason, one thing is for sure: slow cookers are the must-have fall kitchen appliance. Here’s why.
One Pot Meals Are a Breeze With Slow Cookers
Everything goes into one pot when you cook with a slow cooker or crock pot. This means less time spent cooking and less time cleaning up afterward. Simply add all your ingredients to the pot in the morning, set it, and forget it until dinnertime. No need to worry about stirring a pot on the stove or checking on things in the oven. Your slow cooker or crock pot will do all the work for you throughout your day.
Slow Cookers Are Perfect for Busy Weeknights
On busy weeknights, the last thing anyone wants to do is spend hours in the kitchen cooking a complicated meal. With a slow cooker or crock pot, you can have a delicious, home-cooked meal ready with minimal effort. Simply throw all your ingredients in the pot before you leave for work or school in the morning, set it on low, and come home to a hot meal ready to eat. It doesn’t get much easier than that!
Slow Cookers Help You Save Money
Cooking at home is always cheaper than eating out, but finding the time to cook during busy weeknights can be challenging. This is where slow cookers and crock pots come in handy. With one of these appliances, you can cook large portions at once and freeze leftovers for future meals. This saves you money and time since you’ll already have food prepped and ready to go when you’re short on time. Win-win!
They’re Perfect for Entertaining
Slow cookers and crock pots are also great for entertaining. Whether you’re hosting a game night or a holiday party, these appliances will allow you to enjoy your guests instead of being stuck in the kitchen all night. Set up a buffet-style spread of appetizers, main dishes, and desserts, and let your guests help themselves!
Variety of Recipes
Another great thing about slow cookers is that there are endless recipes you can make in them. Whether you’re in the mood for soup, stew, chili, or something else, there’s a slow-cooker recipe. You can even find recipes for desserts and drinks!
Healthy Meals
Crockpot recipes are typically healthy because they rely on fresh ingredients and lean meats. And since you’re not standing over the stovetop cooking for hours, you’re less likely to indulge in unhealthy snacking.
8 Top-Rated Slow Cookers on Amazon
A slow cooker is the perfect kitchen appliance for busy cooks. It’s ideal for making soups, stews, casseroles, and more. Plus, it keeps your food warm and ready to eat when you’re ready. Here are some of the top-rated slow cookers on the market today.
Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker PRO
- This cooker replaces the need for a slow cooker, steam oven, food warmer, nonstick pot, sauté pan, cast iron skillet, saucier, steamer, saucepan, stock pot, Dutch oven, roasting pan, bread maker, and utensil.
- Using the bottom heating elements, you are able to sear proteins and sauté vegetables right in the cooking pot—no need to transfer to the stovetop.
- 8.5-quart cooking capacity allows you to make chili for up to 20 people, 9 lbs. of spaghetti and meatballs, or enough pulled pork for 30 sliders.
Instant Electric Round Dutch Oven
- Braise, slow cooking, sear or sauté, cooking pan and warmer
- Featuring a Dutch oven that allows exact temperature and time control that you simply cannot get from cooking on a stovetop.
- The matching lid has a self-braising grid on the underside to keep food evenly moist.
Crockpot 8 Quart Slow Cooker
- 8-quart slow cooker capable of preparing food for 10-plus people
- Automatically keeps food Warm after cooking is done
- Digital timer counts down cook time up to 20 hours
Hamilton Beach Programmable Slow Cooker
- Easy to travel with lid latch strap: simply stretch the strap from underneath one handle of the slow cooker to the other or cross at the middle for extra security.
- This programmable slow cooker allows you to customize your cooking preferences for each meal by choosing any combination of time and temperature.
- The Hamilton Beach programmable slow cooker will automatically switch to the keep warm setting when cooking time is complete.
WestBend Large Capacity Slow Cooker
- Slow cook almost any sized meal, from a dinner for 2 to entertaining a crowd with the West Bend Versatility Cooker
- 5 Quart cooking vessel features a non-stick interior and is safe for use in the oven, on the stovetop, in the freezer or refrigerator, and is top-rack dishwasher safe
- Features a warm setting to keep meals at a food safe temperature for serving
Cuisinart 7-Quart 4-in-1 Multicooker
- Slow Cook on high, low, simmer or warm for up to 24 hours; Roast at from 250 -450 Degrees for up to 6 hours; Brown/Saute with temperatures up to 500 Degrees; Steam
- One touch lets you switch modes when a recipe calls for combination cooking
- Removable 7-quart nonstick cast aluminum cooking pot with Teflon coating
Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Slow Cooker
- Dishwasher safe stoneware & lid for fast, easy cleanup
- 4 settings include off, low, high & warm
Crock-Pot 7-Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker
- Spacious 7 quart manual slow cooker serves 9 plus people or fits a 7 pounds; Roast
- Set cooking time to high and get a hot meal in no time or set it on low and tonight’s dinner can cook while you’re at work
- Keep food at an ideal serving temperature for as long as you need to with the convenient warm setting
A slow cooker is the perfect kitchen appliance for busy cooks who want delicious, home-cooked meals without spending hours in the kitchen. You can set it and forget it with just a few quick clicks! Whether you’re looking for basic functionality or all the bells and whistles, there’s sure to be a slow cooker that’s perfect for YOU! So what are you waiting for? Get cooking!
