Crock Pots - pick the Best Slow Cooker for Yourself

Slow Cookers - How to choose the Best Crock Pot for You!

As you start to research crock pots, it quickly becomes clear that there are Many options out there.

Programmable Slow Cookers

Slow cookers vary by capacity or size, shape - round vs oval, and features: programmable, warming mode, food probe, multiple size crocks... The variations seem endless.

Here are some suggestions to help you sort through all of the noise and confusion.

Crock pot capacity (how much food a given crock pot will hold) and the shape of the appliance (round or oval) are both highly foremost factors to consider.

Crock Pot Size Does Matter
The crock's capacity is an issue because recipes are specific to each size of pot. In other words, it is difficult to make changes to a formula if your pot is larger or smaller. In addition, the capacity of the crock pot governs how may citizen can be fed from it.

Crock pot capacity varies from 1-pint mini pots to extra large 7-quart cookers. In order for maximum efficiency, it is best fill a cooker only half or up to three quarters full.

The small units are good for hot dip recipes, and can also be used for serving. They are also acceptable for cooking a meal for one or two people.

The mid-range cookers -- think 4 quarts, will make a family sized stew, soup, or chili recipe.

The extra large 6 and 7 quart models are good for entertaining or cooking for large groups.

Keep in mind that because the size has such a direct corollary on what can be cooked, you may find that you prefer having a consolidate of dissimilar sizes in order to meet your needs. If this is the case, start with the size that you anticipate using most often.

Slow Cooker Shape is Important
The shape of the cooker affects the type of food that can be cooked. In most instances, this will have a direct corollary on the type of meat that will fit into the pot itself.

If you expect to do a lot of meat cooking - rib roasts or whole chickens, for example, plan on purchasing an oval shaped cooker, and probably one of the bigger ones.

Access the Slow Cooker Features Carefully
Looking at the dissimilar cooking options, you will see all from a easy and basic model to programmable ones that perform a variety of functions.

The bare bones basic models will have high and low settings. You need to be colse to to start and stop the cooking manually.

If you won't be colse to to do this, you can take the next step up and look for one with an self-operating timer. Many of these have a easy dial.

A digital display choice makes it easy to see at a view how much time has elapsed. Keep in mind that digital controls are often priced higher, so you'll need to conclude if this adds value to the functionality that you are also wiling to pay for.

More sophisticated units allow you to set start and end times for cooking. They can also switch to keep the food warm when the cooking time has ended.

A new option, available on some high end models, will convert climatic characteristic settings mid-way through the cooking process. If a formula needs to start cooking on high and then be switched down to low part way though, this can be useful. Like other features however, it may add to the total price.

Some units have a climatic characteristic probe. When inserted into the food, it will gauge the cooking by internal temperature, rather than time elapsed. Once the food (usually a cut of meat) reaches predetermined temperature, the unit stops cooking and switches into the Keep Warm Mode. Again, this feature will be reflected in the price of the slow cooker.

Choosing the Best Crock Pot for You?
So, how to choose?

Consider your extra circumstances:

How may citizen do you want to feed? What types of food do you anticipate cooking? Are you home all day? If you are working elsewhere, are you often delayed?

Because these appliances are size specific, you may think buying size with specific features to start and plan on adding other sizes with dissimilar features down the road.

Crock Pots - pick the Best Slow Cooker for Yourself