Four top slow cookers and why you should use them

May 24th, 2012

Appliance Talk Ovens & Cooking Recipes Small Appliances

Slow cookers are pretty great, aren’t they?

We think so, and so does Choice.com.au, which tested 25 slow cookers priced under $200.

Here are four reasons why we love slow cookers, paired with four of our favourite picks from the Choice’s Top Nine:

Slow cookers are convenient

It really doesn’t make sense to cook a big, elaborate meal in the evening, when most of us are tired after a full day of work.  You either wear yourself out and don’t eat until late, or you stick with fast, less healthy and less satisfying foods.

With a slow cooker at your disposal, you can prepare your meal when you’ve got the time and energy to do so, set it to cook, then go about your daily business.  When your day is done, so will your dinner.

Slow cookers are especially handy in the winter, when they can be used to produce hearty, warming stews.  In summer, they can prepare a roast without overheating your kitchen like some ovens.

The Sunbeam Slow Cooker HP8555 takes convenient cooking one step further, with a setting that lets you sear meat directly in the slow cooker itself, rather than searing it seperately on the cooktop.  Truly, an appliance for one-pot meals.

Oh, and it came in at number one on the Choice slow cooker review, which isn’t too shabby either…

Slow cookers are safer

Unlike cooking on an oven, there’s almost no risk of a slow cooker burning your food.  Cooking at a lower temperature over an extended period makes the worst-case scenario an overcooked meal, rather than a smouldering pile of ash and cinders.  The lower temperatures involved also mean that slow cookers present a reduced risk of accidental burns and scalds.

The components of the Breville Flavour Maker BSC500 are designed for safe and easy handling.  The pan will sit comfortably on any cooktop (though it’s not suitable for induction), so you can easily sear your meat prior to cooking.  The cooking bowl is also lightweight, for easier handling and cleaning.

Slow cookers are cheaper

Because the food in your slow-cooker experiences so much cooking time, you don’t need to start with the most high-quality ingredients to get great final results.  Cheaper cuts of meat can be turned into masterpieces after hours of slowly taking on the flavours of their fellow ingredients, resulting in fine wine-infused shanks or succulent stews.

If your slow cooker is of a decent size, you can even create a meal big enough to feed a whole family for a week.  As long as no-one minds eating leftovers of the same dish for days on end…

The Morphy Richards Slow Cooker 48730 is a high-quality, yet relatively inexpensive slow cooker, meaning you can can start cooking plenty of delicious meals that last, for less money upfront.

Slow cookers are tidy

At the end of the day, when the meal is over, all that’s left to wash up is the slow cooker itself, and any dishes that you’ve eaten out of.  You’ll be able to save even more time and effort!

The Breville Slow Cooker BSC560 is extremely convenient for all kinds of cooking.  Its removable cord means you can serve the food in the pot; the pan can be used to sear meat on the stove to save on washing up; and it includes a stainless steel rack for roasting.  Very tidy!

If you’re keen to put slow cooking to the rest, try Choice’s corned beef recipe, used to test 25 different slow cookers.