Slow Cooker vs Crock Pot

Helen Digital Slow Cookers ,
Slow Cooker vs Crock Pot

There are so many cooking appliances in the market today. From instant pots, pressure cookers, crock pots, and more, it may be hard to know what cooker is right for you. However, the best crockpots and slow cookers have been tried and known to cook food at a slow and steady temperature just like braising in an oven.

In this century, the terms “set it and forget it” has become more popular than ever. It could be safe to assume that almost everyone has an instant pot, crockpot, or a slow cooker as armor in their kitchen. Although the terms crockpot and slow cookers are used interchangeably, they are extremely similar but have significant differences too. While a crockpot is a type of a slow cooker, not all slow cookers are crockpots. It is also worth noting that a crockpot achieves the same results as a slow cooker. Therefore, if you have an aromatic crockpot recipe, it may work as well in a slow cooker.

If you are trying to decide which one to buy between the two, the following guide will help you out.

The Best Crock Pot

The first model of cock-pot was initially introduced in 1970 and marketed as a bean cooker. Crockpots features a thick ceramic wall so that heat does not have direct contact with the food in the pot. The ceramic wall is mostly circular, oval, or rectangular. The ceramic insert is one of the major differences between a crockpot slow cooker and a cooker.

While a crockpot has heating elements on the side, a slow cooker has them on the bottom. This feature ensures a gentle heat distribution as opposed to if it just heats from the bottom. Besides, cooking with a crockpot is a safe process as all the steam released in the tightly covered pot helps in killing bacteria. Forget about continuously switching the pot on and off to maintain its temperature. With a crockpot the heat is applied continuously to allow an even heating pattern. You can either set it to high (150 degrees C) or low (95 degrees C) setting. However, the newer models come with the “keep warm” setting in addition to a timer. The timer helps in switching the crockpot to warm once the set time has elapsed.

The terms slow cooker and crockpot are most often used interchangeably. Crockpots are a type of slow cookers, however, not all slow cookers are crockpot slow cookers.

The most basic crock pots come with high and low heat settings. Over time though, the best crock pot models have advanced so that they now come with digital timers. The latest is the smart crockpot that can be controlled using smartphones. Nowadays other slow cooker brands like Ninja have advanced to 3-in-1 cooking systems meaning that they can slow-cook, steam, sear, and sautés. A crockpot slow cooker in itself is a container that has heating elements all around the sides and even on the bottom. It is technically a heating oven, regardless of the brand. Crockpots feature ceramic or porcelain pots with glass lids that can trap moisture inside. Slow cookers on the contrary generally have a metal pot even though they have the same three components; pot, heating element, and glass lid just like the crockpots.

With a crockpot, you can cook just about anything; you can make soups/stews, pot roast, meatloaf, or even bake bread and cakes. It is amazing how many different uses it has.

A slow cooker’s plate has more varied settings compared to a crockpot. It is usually numbered 1 to 5. In the metal slow cookers, therefore, food heats more slowly compared to crockpots because the heat level does not go as high as in the crockpot slow cookers.

Therefore, it is worth noting that scorching is one problem that can come with metal slow cookers because the heat is concentrated at the bottom. With metal slow cookers, you will need to keep stirring the food consistently meaning you will have to lift the lid regularly adding up extra time to your cooking.

It is important to remember that metal slow cookers can serve more purposes than just slow cooking meals. The cooking vessel can be removed and used to cook on the stovetop or in the oven such as with the West Bend brands. With the pot removed, the hot plates can be used again for cooking or heating foods and the heating pads can be used to keep food warm.

If you are looking for a kitchen appliance that can have alternative uses, then the metal slow cooker makes up for its drawbacks because it can serve more than just one purpose. This saves you a lot on the need for extra appliances and in other cases, the need to use extra pots and pans when preparing meals.

Both the crockpot slow cooker and the slow cookers use the same technique; they use moisture over extended periods to cook. The major difference lies not in the brand but with the method of heat distribution around or under the crockery.

A metal slow cooker is not the same thing as a ceramic crockpot, even though most of us have been living under the assumption that they are different names for the same thing. As for the question of which one is better, the ceramic crockpot is the way to go because you can use it prepare a wide variety of dishes, unlike the metal slow cooker.

9 Reasons why you should buy a slow cooker

Helen Digital Slow Cookers ,
9 Reasons why you should buy a slow cooker

When you think about the best energy efficient slow cooker, delicious, hearty soups, stews, chicken noodles and more are what lingers through your mind. These must-have countertop devices are easy to handle and you can literally prepare any dishes with it. From breakfast, lunch, dinner, and desserts, these dependable cooking tools will never disappoint you.

Slow cookers were seen as grandma’s appliances in the past. However, in the recent half-decade, this device continues to be a trendy staple for artistic cooking. Today, a large part of the booming DIY internet world; Pinterest, mommy bloggers, and time-crunched social sharing millennials cannot stop raving about the slow cooker time efficiency. Indeed, every household in the whole world should add this clutch piece of a device to their kitchen equipment.

Here are the top 9 reasons why:

1. Best Energy Efficient Slow Cookers are Budget Friendly

With the right ingredients, slow cookers can create delicious concoctions at a friendly budget. Slow cookers enable you to buy cheaper cuts of meat which otherwise would have been tough to chew. Imagine the stress of boiling pork shoulders or even steak until tender. You would rather go for the expensive steak cuts.

Slow cooker cooking breaks up the tough steak making it mouthwatering and tender. In addition, a slow cooker allows you to cook dry grains such as beans which are still economical. Slow cooking allows ingredients to fuse and mellow into the food, so you are sure to enjoy these delectable dishes. Additionally, buy a cheap slow cooker to save you some money. Slow cookers are energy efficient, hence uses fewer units of electricity compared to ovens and cooking stoves.

2. Hugely Saves on Time.

Slow cooker time efficiency is just outrageous. A slow cooker cuts down the prep time to half. Most people have been made to think that baking, sautéing, boiling, or fricasseeing is what makes your food delicious. On the contrary, with a slow cooker, all you need to do is chop the ingredients and wait for a magical delicacy with all the flavours fusing together over time.

3. Easy to clean and maintain

If you always find yourself using up to 4 skillets to prepare a meal, you understand the pain of cleaning up after cooking and cleaning the oven too. Those days are long gone, with a slow cooker it is a one-bowl simple clean up process. What’s even better is you can line the cooker with spray-on oil before adding ingredients when cooking thicker meals to reduce cleanup time.

4. Slow Cooker will Finally Make you a Chef

Are you the type that is scared to step in the kitchen? Slow cookers will be your best kitchen buddy. By just dumping all the ingredients in one pot and setting it to the right temperature, you will be enjoying the wonders of the culinary world. As long as you are good at button-pushing skills, slow cookers promise a tasty meal every time you use it.

5. It’s Flexible

Slow cooker meals are usually associated with American meals such as a pot roast and meatloaf. In the real sense, slow cookers are given fewer credits than they deserve. If you’ve always desired to make other cuisines like Indian dishes, Chinese or even French dishes do not feel limited. Just because it is one pot, it doesn’t have to be one dimensional. However, keep in mind the science of cooking. Some ingredients take a shorter time than others. It is therefore advisable to cook the aspects that cook quickly like veggies on their own.

6. You can Come Back to a Delicious Meal after a Long Day at Work

Do you long for a lounge on the couch after a long day at work? You probably do. Who doesn’t want to wind down after 7-9 hours of work? After such a long day, you probably loathe the idea of stepping into the kitchen to make a full course meal. Worry not, the slow cooker has you covered. Just prep in the morning, throw in the ingredients, and set the slow cooker on low. Be sure to come back to a hot delicious meal after slaving all day long at work.

7. Prepares Healthy Meals

If you are the type that likes healthy meals, you will not be troubled with a slow cooker. You will be startled with delicious rice and beans, stuffed chillis, or any of your favorite meals. For your cheat days, you could even prepare mac and cheese.

8. Helps Keep out Heat During Summer

It’s a bother when you have to stand in the kitchen minding your dish while you cook. Besides, during the summer when its insanely hot, stovetops worsen the situation by heating the kitchen. You could instead lay by the side of the pool while you wait for your meal if you buy a slow cooker.

9. Good for Indefinite Eating Time

If you are having a potluck party or just one of those dinners where a family member eats later, the food in the slow cooker is a winner for everyone. The food stays warmer for longer periods. If the person takes more time, you can still warm it with just a touch of a button.

When you are ready to step up your cooking game, just get one of the amazing cheap slow cookers. Check out the best energy efficient slow cookers to enhance the flavor of your food while giving you the best cooking experience.

Features to Consider when buying the best slow cooker for your Kitchen

Helen Digital Slow Cookers ,
Features to Consider when buying the best slow cooker for your Kitchen

The best digital slow cookers can take on tough cuts of meat, stews, and soups because they are specifically designed to simmer food over extended periods at a low temperature. Slow cookers allow you the luxury to prepare delicious meals while you tackle other tasks as well.

You must understand that slow cookers have a wide functionality and come in a variety of prices. The perfect one depends on what you plan to use it for.

If you have decided that its time you joined the slow cooker movement and buy your very first one, or replace your old one, then here are a few things to think about when you are shopping for one.

Heating method

Digital slow cookers are created with a base that fits snugly around a removable insert. At times the heating element will just be found on the bottom but with the best digital slow cookers, the heating elements go right up to the side of the base so that the heat is evenly distributed.

Other slow cookers only have a crock sitting on top of the heating unit. In most of these cases, the heat distributes unevenly so that you might need to keep stirring the food more often to prevent it from scorching.

Now that you are considering a slow cooker, you have probably asked yourself “what size of slow cooker do I need?” Well, the answer is simple, it depends on the size of your household and whether or not you like to have leftovers.

If you are a small household, and you don’t mind reducing on the size of recipes, small slow cookers with timers, around three-to four-quart will work. On the contrary, you might decide to go for the large capacity slow cookers if you are a larger household or if you cook for crowds or you enjoy doubling recipes.

However, most slow cooker recipes are meant for slow cookers of the average size, which is around 6 quartz. This is the best size for a beginner.

The key to choosing the best size is to find a slow cooker that needs to be half full to get good results.

Shape

The standard shape for slow cookers is either round or oval shapes. Which shape would be the best? Well, what do you want to use the slow cooker for? The answer should dictate the shape that you will eventually choose.

For example, ribs, whole chicken, or brisket will fit better in oval shapes but if you are thinking of making stews, soups, or beans the shape will not really matter more than the fact that you want it to fit in your cabinet or on your counter.

Timer

Nothing is better than a small slow cooker with a timer on it, be it a digital timer or a preset cooking timer. A built-in timer will be very convenient in such a case as when you are not at home to monitor and turn off the slow cooker once the food is ready.

Again, timers are important because they prevent food from overcooking and turning mushy.

Construction of the Crock Bowl

The most popular crock bowl options are ceramic and porcelain although you can find the metallic once too. All are efficient with conducting heat so it is really a matter of personal preferences. The important part though is that it should be removable to allow for easy cleaning.

If you opt for a slow cooker whose crock bowl is fused to the heating unit, you will not have a fun and easy time cleaning.

Sear Functionality.

For a higher price tag, the latest slow cookers now come with a sear function to make vegetable and onion sautéing and browning meats easier.

The functionality can come in two different designs; the first option is where you can sear the food in the insert using the sear settings before you change the setting to slow cooking again. This is a very important function for those who don’t have a stovetop. The second option is to first make sure that the stovetop insert is safe then place it directly on the stove, sear the meat in the insert then put the insert back into the slow cooker to finish cooking.

Warming function

Digital slow cookers have both low and high-temperature settings. Others come with a warming function as well. This function helps to hold food at a warm temperature for longer periods. They can also be set into built-in timers so that immediately the timer goes off the cooker switches to the warming function.

The warming function keeps food warm for parties and lets you come home to warm but not overcooked food in case you are out of the house longer than the time the food needs to cook.

The material of the lid

As you are cooking using the slow cooker, you will want to avoid opening the lid, because this lets out precious heat and eventually extends the cooking time. Slow cookers with glass lids are the best because you can see what’s going on the cooker without having to take the lid off.

Glass lids are better than plastic or opaquer versions.

Ease of cleaning

Consider buying a pot that is easy to clean and can go into the dishwasher easily. Remember also that knob and buttons are harder to clean compared to touchpad controls.