Best Programmable Slow Cookers

Cooking your food using a slow cooker brings you accurate cooking results. Meals cooked in a slow cooker are delicious, and they stay warm until it is serving time. Currently, most cookers are switching from manual to programmable slow cookers. Programmable slow cookers have smart functions, and they are programmed to cook for a certain set time, and there are no chances of overcooking your food. In the guide below, we have a complete guide with the best programmable slow cookers that will take your cooking experience to another level.

Best Programmable Slow Cookers

5. Instant Pot Aura Pro Programmable Slow Cooker

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Meet Instant 8-quart multi-use programmable slow cooker that looks stylish on your countertop, and it cooks your food to perfection while you do other tasks. The slow cooker is fitted with 11 smart programs that ensure all your dishes are prepared to perfection and the way you want it by just pushing a button.

It boasts an advanced microprocessor technology that allows you to get consistent results, and you can set the settings manually.

There is a 4-hour “Delay Start” function that allows you to delay the cook start time, and the automatic keep-warm keeps the food temperature up to 24 hours. This slow cooker features a transparent lid that enables you to track your food as it cooks without releasing steam.

The 11 smart programs include stew, saute, bake, Sous Vide, stew, yogurt, keep warm, and multigrain, all in one compact smart cooker.

To make your cooking experience more convenient, the slow cooker comes with extra accessories, including a measuring cup, recipe booklet, and stainless steel sous vide rack. Cleaning this programmable slow cooker will be fast and easy because it has a dishwasher-safe roasting rack, cooking pot, and lid.

In addition, Instant pot programmable slow cooker uses a 1500-watt heating element that enhances optimal baking, roasting, searing, and yogurt making.

Features

• Boasts 11 smart programs that bring convenience to your kitchen
• Features a 24 hours “Delay Start” function that postpones the cooking start time
• It has a 120V to 60Hz power supply
• Features a 1500-watt heating element that enhances perfection
• Dishwasher safe parts make it hassle-free to clean
• It has an automatic keep-warm function that maintains the food temperature until serving
• There are non-slip feet on the base for stability

Pros

• It is a multiuse and convenient to use kitchen appliance
• All the presets and programs provide dependable results
• Dishwasher safe design makes  this cooker simple to clean

Cons

Overall, this is a good product, but I wish Instant pot could do something about the warm function because it doesn’t keep the food warm.

Conclusion

Other than the “warm” function not working to it’s best, this is a quality programmable slow cooker that replaces 11 useful kitchen appliances. Besides, it is a great appliance to purchase if you want perfection and consistent cooking results.

4. Hamilton Beach 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker

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Hamilton Beach brings you this programmable slow cooker which is the most advanced cooking appliance you will see with 3 smart settings: probe, program, and manual. The settings allow you to cook foods at a specific temperature for set hours on high, low, or warm settings. This unit has a 6-quart capacity, and it is spacious enough to hold a 6-pound chicken or a 4-pound roast.

You will find a large and simple to read control panel that is built to show the food’s exact temperature as it cooks. There is a tight-locking lid that seals all the nutrients, and it prevents messy spills on your countertop. Hamilton Beach programmable slow cooker has a power interrupt protection function that allows the cooker to remember the previous settings before power interruption so that you can continue cooking.

There is a manual setting that enables you to cook on high, low, or warm heat settings, and it will function just like the traditional slow cooker you were used to. You can clean this cooker within minutes because it has removable and dishwasher safe parts, and they don’t react with food. Moreover, Hamilton Beach programmable slow cooker uses a smart technology that enables you to cook a recipe to a specific temperature or cooking time before switching to the warm function.

Features

• The 6-quart capacity fits a 6lbs chicken or 4lbs roasts
• It features smart power interrupt protection that brings the best experience to your kitchen
• Equipped with a clip-tight lid that resists spills
• Features a probe setting that allows you to cook to a precise temperature
• Uses a smart technology that allows you to cook to the desired temperature or time
• Fitted with 3 smart settings: probe, manual, and program
• It has a control panel that allows you to track your food with ease
• The cooker is convenient and simple to clean

Pros

• This cooker is spacious and great for a family dinner
• It guarantees precise and perfect results every time
• The slow cooker has a large size, and the price is great

Cons

• The cable on the temperature probe is a bit weak, and you will experience wear in years to come
• You will find that the low setting is too hot, which can cause problems for some recipes, but you can keep an eye on it.

Conclusion

This is the best programmable slow cooker you can buy when you want precise results when cooking any meal. I would recommend this programmable slow cooker to anyone who wants to cook food with ease while performing other tasks.

3. Crock-Pot 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker

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This Crock-Pot 6-quart programmable low cooker is the best choice for all your slow-cooker recipes and the programmable time settings accommodate different cooking needs. It has countdown programmable technology that allows you to customize the cooking time from 30 minutes up to 20 hours on the high or low setting. Once the cook time set is achieved, it automatically shifts to the warm setting so that your meal can be kept at an ideal temperature until serving.

All the removable stone inserts maybe safely used in the microwave and oven up to 400-degrees F to bring more convenience. The slow cooker works on 240-watts at 120V AC and 60Hz; it gives enough power to cook your food evenly and bring perfect results. It has a simple locking lid with a lid gasket that provides an extra seal so that you can enjoy mess-free cooking.

Crock-Pot 6-quart programmable slow cooker features non-slip handles on the sides that ease carrying, and they stay cool all the time to guarantee user safety. The transparent lid allows you to track your food as it cooks without opening, and the non-slip feet on the base provide stability on all stovetops and countertops. In addition, this cooker is microwave safe, dishwasher safe, oven safe, and stove safe.

Features

• It has removable oval stoneware that makes cleaning simple
• 6-quart capacity fits a 6-pound roast or serve up to 7 people
• Features a tight-locking lid with a lid gasket that prevents mess
• It has a digital programmable control set for 30 minutes up to 20 hours
• Enters into warms setting once the set cook time is achieved
• Equipped with non-slip and heat-resistant handles for hassle-free carrying
• Features a 24” cord that brings flexibility to your kitchen

Pros

• The programmable slow cooker is compatible with most stovetops
• It has a non-stick interior, and dishwasher design will ease cleaning
• Warm temperature setting helps maintain your food’s temperature and flavor

Cons

The only problem with this Crock-Pot is that the heating element is defective. You will find that it sometimes gets a bit too hot, which cannot be good for some recipes.

Conclusion

What makes Crock-Pot programmable slow cooker a top choice is it’s compact design that makes it hassle-free to store in your kitchen without taking much space. Furthermore, it works with almost all cooktops, and it doesn’t have a lot of work when it comes to cleaning.

2. Elite Gourmet Digital Programmable Slow Cooker

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With Elite Gourmet programmable pressure cooker, preparing meals for your family will be an easy task, and your meal will be cooked to perfection every day. It has a removable 8-quart pot that accommodates large roasts or even a whole chicken, making it great for cooking family meals. The cooker has versatile low, high, and keeps warm settings that provide you with maximum control of meal preparation; just set it, and it will do the work for you.

It boasts cool-touch handles and an interface that protects your hands from accidental burns, and they allow you to carry the cooker to the table. You will find a well designed lid that allows you to check your food as it cooks, and it is dishwasher safe for fast cleaning. The stainless steel heating unit can be wiped with a damp cloth to maintain it’s stylish appearance.

This cooker features a programmable control panel that shows you all the operation settings to have the best cooking experience. Moreover, this slow cooker is the perfect kitchen appliance you can give anyone as a gift during a wedding or housewarming.

Features

• Constructed of lightweight and heavy-duty aluminum
• 8-quart capacity fits a whole chicken or large roasts
• Equipped with versatile low, high, and keep warm settings
• It has cool-touch handles and an interface for comfortable handling
• Features a tempered-glass lid that traps all the nutrients and moisture for the best results
• Equipped with a programmable control panel that brings a better cooking experience
• Brushed stainless steel finish makes it a great addition to any kitchen

Pros

• The size is good for bigger families
• All the settings work well, and it will provide the exact results you need
• It cooks delicious and healthy meals
• The slow cooker is hassle-free to clean and maintain

Cons

• The problem with this pressure is that it produces a weird smell, somehow plastic but don’t worry because it doesn’t last.
• Not great for using on slippery countertops or cooktops because the rubber feet are not stable.

Conclusion

Except for the weird smell and the stability problem, I don’t see another problem with the slow cooker. The good thing about this cooker is the 8-quart capacity that is well sized to fit a beef roast or a large turkey breast roast; you will prepare adequate food for your guests.

1. Hamilton Beach 33480 Programmable Slow Cooker

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With this slow cooker, you can cook any recipe hassle-free, and you will always get precise results every time. It has a programmable timer with ranging times from 30 minutes to 18 hours, and it has low or high heat settings. The cooker has a large 8-quart capacity and oval shape that make it perfect for cooking larger cuts of meat or roasts.

It has a warm function that switches in once the set cooking time is over so that your food can be prevented from overcooking. Once you are done cooking, cleaning the cooker is easy because the lid and the crock removes easily, and you can wash them in the dishwasher. This programmable cooker has a see-through lid that allows you to see the progress of your food as it cooks, and it helps lock in the nutrients.

The cooker has non-slip feet on the base that allows you to use the cooker on different cooktops and countertops without slipping or scratching. In addition, the handles on the sides and the lid helps you get a comfortable hold, and they prevent accidental burns.

Features

• Great slow cooker for 8lb chicken or 6lb roast
• It has removable, dishwasher safe parts that ease cleaning
• Equipped with high, low, and warm settings that suit all your needs
• Features a warm setting that prevents your food from overcooking
• It has a countdown timer that shows you the remaining cooking time
• The timer is set to work for 30 minutes to 18 hours

Pros

• The slow cooker is fast and easy to clean
• Flexible programming allows you to know when food will be ready
• It makes food preparation easy and comfortable
• The 8-quart large capacity makes it perfect for large families

Cons

• The outside of this slow cooker gets hot on any setting, so avoid touching it
• Furthermore, the cord is too short.

Conclusion

Overall, this is a great programmable pressure cooker to purchase if you have a large family. It’s heavy-duty construction will guarantee years of use. Besides, it is a top choice because of it’s compact design that makes storage simple.

What to Consider when Purchasing a Programmable Slow Cooker

Functions

Programmable slow cookers are equipped with high and low temperatures cooking settings and a warming function. All the functions ensure you have good results, and they can all be controlled using a timer. In case you are not the guy who keeps an eye on the food as it cooks, a cooker with a timer will be great so that you can have everything done for you.

Then, there is this warm function in programmable slow cookers. After the cooking time is achieved, our cookers in the guide have a warm unction that switches automatically to keep your food warm until it is served.

Other than keeping your food warm, it allows you to enjoy still-warm but not overcooked food in case you are out of the house. Before you make your purchase, make sure all the settings are accurate and reliable so that you can have good cooking results.

Size

When purchasing a programmable slow cooker, you have an option to buy a small, medium, or large capacity cooker. The size will be determined by the number of people you want to serve and the available space in your kitchen. If you have a small household, you can choose the 3 or 4-quart slow cookers.

Most people with larger families opt for the 6 or 8-quart capacity cookers because they hold more food and are more reliable. When it comes to storage, make sure the slow cooker you want to buy will fit in your kitchen perfectly without taking space meant for other appliances.

Shape

The programmable slow cookers in our review come in oval or round shapes. Which is the best? Well, I sure don’t have an answer because what you want to cook will determine the shape to choose. For example, if you are cooking a brisket, whole chicken, or ribs, a cooker with an oval shape will be great. But if you are making stews or beans, here shape doesn’t matter, and you can buy a cooker that fits well on your counter or cabinet.

Heating Element

The main role of a heating element is to provide and maintain a stable temperature that will ensure your food cooks to perfection. Programmable slow cookers have 3 settings, high, low, and medium settings. However, modern and advanced cookers have a keep-warm function that keeps your food at a steady temperature until you serve.

Bottom Line

Finally, there is our guide with the 5 best programmable slow cookers. The cookers will bring precision and the best cooking results. They are available in different sizes, from small, medium, to larger sizes to suit your cooking needs. All of them have a programmable timer, and their settings will bring you more convenience. Therefore, go ahead and choose a cooker perfect for you.