Slow Cooker recommendation

10 years ago

I use my slow cookers often and have the basic "high-low-off" version. I am wondering if there is a slow cooker that allows you to set it to come on at a future time and allows you to set it to run at different temperatures.

For instance I would set it before I go to work to come on at 10 am, cook on low for 6 hours and then go to warm until I turn it off.

The ability to braise would be great too!

Thanks

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

grainlady_ks
10 years ago
Wow, that's a BIG wish list! You'll have to compare brands/models and find the one that has all the features you are looking for. This might be on place to start:

5 Best Slow Cookers - Updated July 2016

http://bestreviews.com/best-slow-cookers

And one from QVC: http://www.qvc.com/Technique-6-qt-Oval-Multi-Function-Slow-Cooker-w-Removable-Pot.product.K14170.html

I have gone from ZERO slow-cookers to three (for one reason or another) in the last few years, and none of mine are what you are looking for. I'm happy with a removable dish/pot and one has a strap to hold the lid on when transporting it, and I was delighted with those features compared to the first one I had back in the '70's.

-Grainlady
krmarchese thanked grainlady_ks
Islay Corbel
10 years ago
There are many"multi-cookers" on the market. I have a Philips one that does what you want and I use it a few times a week. It cooks rice, slow cooks, roasts, simmers, boils etc. Not too expensive either. More than a slow-cooker but not bad. I paid the equivalent of about $90
Related Discussions
Need recommendation for a slow cooker please
Q
Comments (3)
The best slow cooker is no slow cooker. Get an electric roaster. Does everything a slow cooker does and much more. It's actually a portable oven. After buying a Nesco 4 qt and 6 qt I threw out my Crock pots. No comparison. And often they're cheaper too. That said, they do have a problem. 12 hour days are going to cause problems even for a roaster oven. And I totally agree about putting food in there to become a petri dish. Some have spoken highly of things like the AdvantiumÃÂ® oven but I've never used one nor experienced food from it so I can't comment on whether they're any good or not. Their problem is price. You look at probably $1500 or or more for one of them. Not sure they're worth it. Probably a better alternative for them is to start OAWC or OAMC and reheat.
...See More
Slow-Cooker recommendations, please
Q
Comments (7)
I have a 1980's Hamilton Beach slow cooker - very large, several gallon capacity, thick pottery crock pot. It will automatically switch from "Hi" to "Low" after a few hours if I set it on that mode. Because it's so large and because there's just the 2 of us to cook for mostly at this stage of our lives, I bought a smaller Crock-Pot brand slow cooker. Oval-shaped (which I like), but it doesn't have the automatic switch-to-low feature. Plus, the "low" setting is too "high" just to keep things warm without continuing to simmer. My experience with it so far is it cooks too hot to be called a "slow-cooker" lol. I'm not opposed to spending money on good quality cookware, but I honestly can't bring myself to spend over $250 for a slow cooker and I really don't like the way the All-Clad looks. Maybe I'm just too Yesterday :0) seagrass
...See More
Slow cooker recommendations.
Q
Comments (1)
Sorry! I just saw there is another post asking the same thing. I should have checked first. Clare
...See More
Pressure Cooker vs Dutch Oven vs Slow Cooker
Q
Comments (10)
I have all three as well. PC's are excellent timesavers--steamed artichokes in 12-14 minutes instead of 45. Excellent for quickly tenderizing cuts of meat. (Great curry dishes in 20 minutes.) And sometime this week I'm gonna make corned beef & cabbage in just a little more than an hour. And I find that I prefer osso buco made in the PC to the non-PC way. Also, with a PC I can make foolproof risotto with hardly any effort and very little time, so I end up making risotto more often. (Indeed, Kuhn Rikon markets a small PC as a 'risotto maker'.) Dutch ovens are great for unfussy cooking; starting something on the stovetop and then finishing them in a slow oven is their forte. If you like this technique, take a look at Molly Stevens' All About Braising. Great resource. I have found that since I got into PC cooking I don't use my slow cooker as much. Slow cookers are great for stews, chili, beans and other things where the timing isn't critical--but the pressure cooker is very good on beans and grains as well, in about a third the time. If you want to work more grains and beans into your menus, a pressure cooker really is worthwhile. Lorna Sass, the pressure cooker expert, has written a pressure cooker cookbook precisely aimed at vegetarians. (See the link.) If I had to give up any one of those gadgets, it would be the slow cooker. I definitely wouldn't give up my PC, and I really like the enameled cast iron Dutch ovens as well. Here is a link that might be useful: vegetarian pressure cooker cookbook
...See More
cynic
10 years ago
To properly use a slow cooker you need to bring it to temperature before putting the food into it. You didn't say how long you wanted to leave it at room temperature before having it come on, nor did you say what you planned to heat in it but that could be a dangerous thing to do with some ingredients. Considering how slow a slow cooker is to heat up to start with, then factoring in heating the contents out of the danger zone, I doubt that I would risk it but then I need to be a little more cautious about food poisoning now than in my younger days.

I'd suggest reconsidering this idea.
Islay Corbel
10 years ago
Cynic, that's why ilike my pot as I brown/prepare the food in it before it goes on to slow cooking so that it's all hot right from the start.

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES Budget Decorating: How to Decorate Smart and Slow

By Laura Gaskill

To make the most of your decorating dollar, forgo the disposable stuff, think vintage and free first and give yourself a splurge

Full Story

154

HOUSEKEEPING How to Clean and Care for Your Mattress

By Bonnie McCarthy

Find out what you should do to protect your mattress from dust, moisture and stains

Full Story

130

EDIBLE GARDENS 8 Last-Minute Additions to a Summer Edible Garden

By Marianne Lipanovich

It’s not too late to get these vegetables and herbs planted for a bountiful harvest this year

Full Story

DREAM SPACES We Can Dream: Nurturing Escapes for Penning a Poem

By Susan Redman

16 picturesque hideaways built to inspire contemplation and a favorite slow art form

Full Story

ORGANIZING Your Total Home Organizing and Decluttering Guide

By Vanessa Brunner

Take it slow or be a speed demon — this room-by-room approach to organizing and storage will get your home in shape no matter how you roll

Full Story

162

LIFE Simple Pleasures: The Art of Lounging at Home

By Laura Gaskill

Restore your spirit and encourage creativity by daydreaming, meditating or napping in the comfiest spot in the house

Full Story

KITCHEN DESIGN How to Find the Right Range for Your Kitchen

By KitchenLab Interiors

Range style is mostly a matter of personal taste. This full course of possibilities can help you find the right appliance to match yours

Full Story

139

SELLING YOUR HOUSE 15 Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Real Estate Agent

By Laura Gaskill

Here’s what you should find out before selecting an agent to sell your home

Full Story

LIGHTING The Lowdown on High-Efficiency LED Lighting

By Karen LeBlanc Design TV Host & Writer/Blogger

Learn about LED tapes, ropes, pucks and more to create a flexible and energy-efficient lighting design that looks great

Full Story

149

HEALTHY HOME 12 Ways to Set Up Your Kitchen for Healthy Eating

By Becky Harris

Making smart food choices is easier when your kitchen is part of your support team

Full Story

122

Slow Cooker recommendation

Comments (4)

grainlady_ks

Islay Corbel

Related Discussions

cynic

Islay Corbel

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US