Assistance On Which Model of Slow Cooker One Can Purchase
Wednesday, January 19th, 2011When you are looking for a slow cooker to buy, you will have to make one crucial decision: should you buy a programmable slow cooker or not? The advantage of a programmable slow cooker is that it has a timer incorporated, so you can set it to cook for a specified time. When the time has elapsed, the cooker will be in keep-warm mode. The simpler, mechanical cookers don’t have a timer. Therefore if you opt for a cooker like this, you will have to be around and keep an eye on it. One can get a good mechanical slow cooker for less than $50; programmable models have a price range from $45 to $250.
As you consider which slow cooker to buy, you should consider the following. A very important issue is the size of your family. If you have four people or more, you should choose a 6-quart slow cooker. The smaller, 4-quart model is better for singles or small families. Of course it doesn’t mean that smaller families can not buy a larger cooker: in the worst case they will freeze the leftovers. You should know that large slow cookers are heavier to list and carry, and they also take up more space.
Think about how you cook and what you cook? A large, oval-shaped crock is ideal if you cook meat roasts or whole chickens often. However the round crock should be your choice if you cook soups and stews more often.
Another important issue to decide is what kind of insert you want? Most slow cookers have removable stoneware inserts. These tend to be heavy, but at the same time sturdy and practical. There are inserts that can be reheated in the microwave or the oven. Then some slow cookers come with aluminum or steel inserts, so the meat can be browned directly on the crock. There are slow cooker inserts coated with a nonstick material: these are easier to clean, but have to be treated very carefully, because the finish can be easily damaged.
It is very important that the cooker you buy has a removable insert which is dishwasher-safe. It is also a good idea to check how much the broken lid or insert will cost to replace. Some slow cookers have expensive parts, so you can easily end up in the situation when you have to throw away the whole cooker because the replacement part is too expensive. And be careful when you use the appliance for the first time: extended heat-up and cool-down periods should be avoided.
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