A small slow cooker is a great appliance to have in your kitchen. It can help you cook food slowly and evenly, allowing you to create complex flavor profiles. Slow cookers are very versatile and can be used for preparing a variety of dishes. Rice cookers and multi-cookers, both are also a beneficial addition to any kitchen space. These appliances have almost similar functions but they differ in their use, application, and benefits. Read our blog on the rice cooker vs multi-cooker and know which one to buy.
8 Things to Consider When Buying a Small Slow Cooker
Method of Heating
There are two different methods of heating when it comes to slow cookers bottom and side. Bottom heating is more common, as it heats the food from the bottom up. This is the ideal method for cooking tougher cuts of meat. Side heating is less common, but it can be beneficial for certain types of food. It heats the food from the sides, so it’s ideal for delicate dishes like fish or vegetables.
Crock Construction
The crock is the pot that holds the food as it cooks. It’s usually made from ceramic or stoneware, but there are also metal options available. Ceramic and stoneware are the most popular choices, as they evenly distribute heat and don’t react with food. Metal crocks can also be a good option, but they can sometimes cause the food to stick.
Lid Material
The lid is another important component of the slow cooker. It needs to be made from a material that won’t react with the food, and that will seal in the heat. Glass is the most popular material for lids, as it meets both of these criteria. There are also plastic and metal lids also available.
Shape
Slow cookers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The most common shape is oval, but you can also find square and round options. The shape should be based on how much food you want to be able to cook at one time. You’ll need a larger one if you have a large family. A smaller option will suffice for one or two people.
Sear Function
The sear function is a great feature to have on a small slow cooker. This function allows you to brown meat before slow cooking it. This can help to lock in flavor and juices, making for a tastier dish. Searing meat before slow cooking is a great way to ensure that your dish will be packed with flavor.
Timer
A timer is definitely a handy feature to look for. This way, you can set the cooking time and have the slow cooker shut off automatically. This is great for busy days when you want to set it and forget it. It’ll help you save energy since you won’t have to worry about accidentally leaving all day.
Warming Function
The warming function is also a nice feature to have. This keeps food warm after it has finished cooking. This is perfect for those times when you want to keep food warm for later or for serving buffet style. It’s also great for those times when you want to reheat food.
Size
The size of the cooker is also something to consider. Small slow cookers are great for smaller households or for cooking smaller meals. You can easily store them away when not in use and they don’t take up a lot of counter space.
How Does a Small Slow Cooker Work?
A small slow cooker is a great way to cook smaller portions of food. They work by slowly heating up the food over a period of time, allowing the flavors to meld together and creating a delicious and healthy meal. You can check a model like KOOC Small Slow Cooker that offers a wide selection of colors, more suitable for the taste of the younger generation.
To use a small cooker, simply add your ingredients to the pot, set the timer, and let it cook. The feature of a cooker is that it doesn’t require any supervision, so you can set it and forget it. And, because the food is cooked slowly, it retains all of its nutrients and flavor, making for a healthy and delicious meal.
What Cannot be Cooked in a Small Slow Cooker?
Some things just don’t work well in a slow cooker because they either cook too quickly or they don’t benefit from the long, slow cooking process. Here are a few examples:
- Delicate fish or seafood will overcook and become rubbery in a slow cooker.
- Dishes that require a crispy or crunchy texture, like fried chicken or tempura, won’t do well in a slow cooker.
- Anything that needs to be browned or seared before cooking, like a steak, should not be cooked in a slow cooker.
- Milk-based sauces or custards can curdle and break down in a slow cooker.
- Foods that are high in acid, like tomatoes, can also break down in a slow cooker and turn into a mushy mess.
What’s the Difference Between a Small Slow cooker and a Crockpot?
A small slow cooker is typically cheaper and smaller than a crock pot. They also tend to cook food more slowly, which can be beneficial if you want to avoid overcooking your food. The crock pot is generally more expensive and larger in size. They also cook food more quickly, which can be helpful if you’re in a hurry.
Best Small Slow Cooker to Buy
Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
The reviews of Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker show that it is the perfect size for 4-6 people. It has a silver, stainless steel body with a dishwasher-safe crock and lid. The control panel is easy to use and the cooker can be programmed to cook for up to 6 hours. Transferring food from the cooker to the oven is easy with the crock and lid. You can mix and match temperature with your choice of cooking times.
Crock-Pot 2.5 Quart Round White/Yellow Daisy Slow Cooker:
This Crock-Pot slow cooker is perfect for cooking up small meals or side dishes. It has a 2.5-quart capacity and is made from white and yellow daisy stoneware. The stoneware is oven, microwave, and dishwasher-safe. The cooker also has a programmable timer so you can set it and forget it. You can easily control the cooking temperature at the time of cooking.
Crockpot 2.5-Quart Mini Casserole Crock Slow Cooker, White/Blue
The reviews of Crockpot Mini Casserole Crock Slow Cooker are good because it is the perfect size for small meals and also used as a serving dish. It features two settings, high and low, so you can cook your food at the perfect temperature. The stoneware is dishwasher safe, making cleanup on a breeze. The Crockpot 2.5-Quart Mini Casserole Crock Cooker is a great addition to any kitchen.
Elite Gourmet MST-250XS Electric Slow Cooker
The Elite Gourmet MST-250XS Electric Cooker is perfect for making entrees, sauces, soups, roasts, stew, and dips. This pot is dishwasher safe and has adjustable temperature control. The pot is made of durable stainless steel and has a 1.5-quart capacity. It has a tempered clear glass lid for safety. This cooker has a cool-touch handles and knobs for easy hold.
Disney DCM-200CN Mickey Mouse Cooker, 2-Quart, Red/Black
The Disney 2-Quart Slow Cooker is the perfect size for 2-4 people. The red and black exterior with Mickey Mouse detailing is cheerful and fun, and the ceramic stoneware insert is durable and easy to clean. This unit has two settings, low and high, and the warm setting helps to keep food warm after it’s cooked. The stoneware and lid both are dishwasher-safe. The cooker can be programmed to cook for up to 4 hours.
Air-fryer pressure cooker combos are a combination of two products from different categories that have been combined to make a whole cooking process easy. You can also check our blog on air-fryer pressure cooker combos and get the top 5 options.
Conclusion
A top-rated small slow cooker is a great appliance for any kitchen. You can use them for cooking a variety of foods, from stews to desserts. The slow cooker is also easy to use, simply add your ingredients, set the timer, and let it cook. Your food is ready to eat when the timer goes off. The slow cooker is great if you like cooking large meals with enhanced flavors. The pressure cooker is great if you are cooking a small amount of food. Read our other blog and know which one is better between the slow cooker vs pressure cooker.
AESA rates and reviews the best pressure cookers of 2024 based on quality convenience and durability
