Crock-Pot SCV655B Slow Cooker, Aluminium, 300 W, 6.5 liters, Black

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Long cooking times allow cooking to happen while you do other things, such as go to work or the shops Slow cookers have got so much going for them, it’s hard not to love them. Not only will a good one save you time and effort in the kitchen, it’ll save you money too. Slow cookers transform cheaper cuts of meat into tender dishes and liven up economical healthy pulses, like lentils, beans and peas. Plus, while they can be on all day, it’s at such a low wattage that it will only cost pennies. The first thing you need to consider with any slow cooker is its capacity – each will list its bowl size in litres. Bear in mind that this won’t translate to the same amount of food, as you shouldn’t fill slow cookers to the brim. This gap allows your food to bubble and simmer properly. The usable cooking space will be around three-quarters of its bowl size, for example, a five-litre cooker can accommodate around four litres of food.

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The Ninja Foodi Multi-Cooker is certainly mighty, but if you like your gadgets it could be a great investment. You can of course just use this multi-cooker as a slow cooker, for which it has a generous 6 litre capacity, but you can also take advantage of the sear setting to brown meat and veggies before slow cooking for a more rich flavour. It sounds obvious, but an indicator light will show you instantly that your slow cooker is on and working. Not every slow cooker has one, especially the very basic models. Keep warm

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When we tested its slow cooking mode we found that it's almost too good at retaining moisture. Recipes that came out more saucy in some slow cookers were a little less rich because it's also designed to be an airtight pressure cooker. That can be remedied though by adding less liquid or taking into account the liquid that will come out of meat and veggies when you add them. If you're thinking of buying one of these handy kitchen gadgets, these are some of the important settings and features you should consider: Indicator light The range of settings on your slow cooker will depend on how much you spend. The most basic slow cookers will have high, low and possibly a warm setting, which you’ll need to select manually. So if you’re not too bothered by anything more fancy, then save yourself some money and opt for a basic model. If you’re cooking for one or two and have no plans to freeze leftovers, choose a smaller 3.5-litre slow cooker (usable volume of around 2 litres). Most slow cookers have a large claimed capacity, but the usable cooking space is around two-thirds of what is stated – that’s because it’s a safety risk if you overfill your slow cooker.

Crock-Pot Chrome Slow Cooker, 6.5 Litre, Brushed Chrome

Traditionally, slow cookers use a large, ceramic casserole dish that’s slow to heat up and slow to cool down. These are heavy and will break if you drop them, but they hold their heat well so they’re lovely to carry to the table and serve from.

Enjoy one-pot suppers and family favourite dishes such as pulled pork and chilli with these easy-to-use cookers

Functions: additional functions on the slow cooker including browning, reheating, reducing and whether it is hob or oven-safe READ NEXT: Create super-smooth sauces with these fab hand blenders Does it matter what the pot is made of?