How to Choose the Right Slow Cooker

Why a Slow Cooker Deserves a Place in Your Kitchen

A slow cooker (also called a crock pot) cooks food at low temperatures over several hours, transforming tough, inexpensive cuts of meat, legumes, and vegetables into tender, deeply flavoured meals with minimal hands-on effort. Load it in the morning, leave it on the bench, and return to a fully cooked meal in the evening. For busy Australian households, it's one of the most practical appliances available.

If you're also considering a pressure cooker, see our pressure cooker guide for a comparison of both approaches to set-and-forget cooking.

How Slow Cookers Work

A slow cooker uses a ceramic or stainless steel inner pot sitting inside an electric heating base. The base heats the pot gently and evenly at low temperatures, typically between 80 and 100 degrees Celsius on the low setting and 90 to 150 degrees Celsius on the high setting. The tight-fitting lid traps steam, creating a moist cooking environment that tenderises collagen-rich meats and melts connective tissue over time.

Key Features to Look For

Capacity

Slow cookers are sized in litres. As a guide: 1.5 to 3 litres suits one to two people; 3.5 to 5 litres suits a family of three to four; 6 to 7 litres suits larger families or batch cooking. Most Australians find a 4 to 6 litre model to be the most versatile. A slow cooker should ideally be at least half full for best results, so don't choose one that's too large for your typical batch size.

Heat Settings

All slow cookers include at least a low and high setting. Low setting typically takes 6 to 10 hours for most recipes. High setting takes 3 to 5 hours. Some models also include a medium setting and a keep warm function that holds food at a safe serving temperature after cooking is complete without overcooking it.

Keep Warm Function

A keep warm function automatically activates after the cooking time ends, holding food at around 70 to 75 degrees Celsius until you're ready to serve. This is a very practical feature for households where mealtime isn't predictable.

Timer and Programmable Controls

A built-in countdown timer lets you set the cooking time and automatically switch to keep warm when it expires. Programmable slow cookers with digital displays give you precise control over cooking duration and are more convenient than manually remembering to switch settings.

Inner Pot Material

The inner cooking pot is typically ceramic or stainless steel.

• Ceramic pots: Retain and distribute heat very evenly. Heavier than stainless steel. Cannot be used directly on a stovetop for browning.
• Stainless steel pots: Lighter and more durable. Some models can be used directly on a stovetop to brown meat before slow cooking without needing a separate pan.

The ability to brown meat in the same pot before slow cooking saves time and washing up and is a useful feature in multi-function models.

Sear and Sauté Function

Some slow cookers include a sear or sauté function that heats the base to a higher temperature for browning meat and aromatics before switching to slow cook mode. Browning adds depth of flavour to slow-cooked dishes and is worth the extra step. Models that can brown in the same pot are the most convenient.

Lid Design

Glass lids allow you to check on the food without lifting the lid and losing heat. Avoid lifting the lid unnecessarily during cooking, as each opening adds approximately 20 to 30 minutes to the cooking time.

What to Expect at Different Price Points

Budget (Under $60)

Entry-level slow cookers provide basic low, high, and keep warm settings with a ceramic inner pot. Reliable for standard recipes and everyday use.

Mid-Range ($60 to $150)

Mid-range models add programmable timers, auto keep warm, sear functions, and stainless steel finishes. Most households will find an excellent model in this range.

Premium ($150 and Above)

Premium slow cookers and multi-cookers deliver the full range of functions including pressure cook, sauté, steam, and rice cook in addition to slow cooking, with precise digital controls and high-quality build.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I leave a slow cooker on while I'm out of the house?

Yes. Slow cookers are designed to run unattended for several hours and are one of the safest kitchen appliances to leave on while you're away, provided you follow the manufacturer's instructions and ensure the appliance is on a stable, heat-resistant surface with adequate clearance around it.

Do I need to add liquid to a slow cooker?

Most slow cooker recipes require at least some liquid to create steam and prevent burning. Meat releases its own juices during cooking, so you generally need less liquid than you'd use in a stovetop or oven recipe. Follow the recipe quantities rather than adapting from stovetop recipes without adjustment.

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Browse our full range of slow cookers and pressure cookers. You can also explore our complete small appliances range and benchtop appliances collection.