What’s the Best Slow Cooker in America’s Test Kitchen? An Upgraded 2021 Guide

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As there are multiple cooking units on the market, it's challenging to tell which cooker is the proper one for you. However, you might want to try a slow cooker. Of course, not every slow cooker, but the best slow cooker America's Test Kitchen.

Why is this important? Well, as you know, America's Test Kitchen uses experts to guide your cooking process and offer various appliances, so let's follow their recommendations.

So, if you want the best slow cooker for your kitchen, read below and find the proper one for your cooking needs.

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Top 3 Picks

Best Slow Cooker America's Test Kitchen 2021 - Top 5 Picks

Hamilton Beach Programmable Slow Cooker - Best Design System Technology

As you will find, Hamilton Beach slow cooker offers maximum security and safety wherever you go! Namely, the slow cooker includes a glass lid with a lid latch strap. Thus, you can easily stretch it from one side to another one or cross it at the middle of the lid and ensure additional security.

Since the Hamilton Beach slow cooker is a programmable slow cooking device, you can adjust its cooking programs to your needs and prepare your dish as you like. You can combine the temperature and time and effortlessly follow the recipe for fuss-free cooking.

Moreover, you don't need to strictly follow the cooking process, as the Hamilton Beach slow cooker includes an automatic system that will switch off to keep your dinner or other meal warm when the cooking time is complete.

Thanks to the stoneware material, the Hamilton Beach slow cooker provides you a long-lasting lifespan. The solid and sturdy content will endure even the highest internal temperature; therefore, the model will remain intact, and your fish or other food warm, quality, and full of flavor.

Of course, you can easily clean it up as the lid and crock offer an easy-clean and soft-touch pad that is dishwasher safe. In addition, due to the 7-quart capacity, you can cook a massive pile of food at once.

When you want a perfect dinner, you should opt for the best slow cooker America's Test Kitchen!

Pros
  • Temperature control
  • Lock features
  • Even heat distribution
Cons
  • Lid issues

Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker - Best Safety Features

When you want a slow cook mode for your food, don't forget this healthy slow cooker! It started a slow cooker revolution!

Firstly, the Instant Pot is a family of brands trusted by millions of home cooks so that it won't disappoint you this time. Their slow cooker includes a 7-in-1 system, allowing you various cooking and food possibilities at once. Thus, you don't need additional tools to finish the cooking process.

You can select your favorite Smart-touch programs among thirteen of them and adjust the slow cooker to your needs, as you will combine time and temperature to follow the slow cooker recipes. Thus, you could use a 70% cooking pressure for a fast process or a slow cook method according to traditional slow cooker recipes.

Thanks to the dishwasher-safe lid, stainless steel sides, inner pot, and other finger-print resistant accessories, the Instant Pot 6-quart slow cooker offers you an effortless and quick cleanup process.

However, to find the condition collector, you should search for it at the back of the model and not inside. Since the slower cook includes a safe-locking lid and overheat protection, you will find 10+ safety features and security options.

Due to the 8-quart capacity, the slow cooker is perfect for larger households and families with eight members.

Finally, the Instant Pot slow cooker has stainless steel and a tri-ply bottom design to maintain temperature, heat uniformity, and food quality. Find the Android or IOS app to find more recipes.

Pros
  • Healthy slow cooker
  • Slow cook methods
  • Lock features
  • Even heat
Cons
  • Poor customer support

Crock-Pot SCCPVL610-S-A 6-Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker - Best Performance

Another best slow cooker America's Test Kitchen offers is the 6-quart cooker. Why?

The best slow cooker includes an impressive cooking capacity of six quarts; therefore, it's ideal for every family and household. The pot serves more than 7 people at once.

If you want to discover the Test Kitchen's easy tricks for more flavor with less fat, the Crock-Pot slower cook includes various programs with extra features and advantages so that you can find the proper one for your cooking needs.

Thus, you'll come across the digital countdown controls for cooking temperature and time, from thirty minutes to over twenty hours. The slow cooker model automatically shifts to the warm settings once the cooking process is completed. You can easily select "keep warm" options and adjust them to your food and recipes.

When you plan a shorter or a more extended trip, the Crock-Pot 6-quart slow cooker will provide a safety-lock glass lid with a lid gasket to prevent mess and make your ride more comfortable. Thus, you can avoid unnecessary complications.

All the inner parts are dishwasher safe, and you can also put them in a microwave or an oven up to 400°F. However, please DO NOT place the glass lid inside the high temperature, as it will smash and cause severe injuries.

If you want to combine the model with another brand's slow cooker, please, read the producer's instructions and follow the cooking tolerances.

Pros
  • Stainless steel pot
  • Safety lock lid
  • Even heat distribution
  • Temperature control
Cons
  • Design flaws
  • Shipping issues

Elite Gourmet MST-250XS Electric Slow Cooker - Best Durability

Next off, we have this America's Test Kitchen slow cooker with beneficial features!

We love the Elite Gourmet due to its convenience. As you'll see, the 3-in-1 cook model applies all low, medium, and keep warm settings; hence, you can find & choose the best one for your needs and adjust the slow cook modes to your recipes.

The Elite Gourmet slow cooker also includes an ideal stainless steel design and finish, with the tempered clear glass lid, for more practical use, maintenance, and moderation. Thus, both the glass lid and the inner part are dishwasher safe and will save your time and energy.

Moreover, the cool touch won't hurt your hands even when powered at 120 watts. The same with the knobs. Thus, the Elite Gourmet slow cooker includes maximum safety and security features and will protect you.

Thanks to the 1.5-quart cooking capacity, the slow cooker is a perfect model for a smaller family and household; however, you can put a large amount of fish, pork, or other crock food at once inside the pot. The temperature and heat distribution will be even, and the food won't burn. If you are a crock-recipe lover, this slower cook model will be a terrific choice for you!

Additionally, the stainless steel construction will last for an extended period and serve you longer; therefore, you won't have to be afraid of the most excessive uses. Finally, the Elite Gourmet slow cooker won't lose any of its quality or performance.

Pros
  • “Keep warm” options
  • 3-in-1 cook model
  • Versatile pot
  • Even heat distribution
Cons
  • Minor design flaws

BLACK+DECKER SC2007D Slow Cooker - Best Versatility

The ultimate 7-quart slow cooker offers the cleanest cooking process.

As you'll observe, the BLACK+DECKER 7-quart slow cooker includes the built-in lid holder that keeps the countertops stirred and clean, and you can serve the crock meat or another food recipe for your family without holding the lid.

The same built-in holder will keep the lid tightly on other sides of the pot and handles, preventing spills and huge messes. Thus, the slow cooker mainly focuses on security & protection.

Regarding the handles, the BLACK+DECKER slow cooker has a cool-touch design system technology; therefore, your hands won't burn or hurt even if the pot model is full of delicious food. Thus, it's the most convenient slow cooker, according to America's Test Kitchen.

As the pot includes a removable stoneware crock, the slow cooker is easy to clean and maintain since it won't lose any quality or other benefits. Moreover, the same design and materials will keep the food warm and offer even heat distribution while cooking cuts of meat, fish, or other meals.

Due to the 7-quart cooking capacity, the BLACK+DECKER slow cooker is an excellent model for eight family members, so you can use it and cook in all households. No one will be hungry in your kitchen.

All parts are safe for the cleanup and cooking process. Thanks to the safe-locking lid, the food won't spill around, and the dishwasher secure lid and crock show positive features when it comes to cleaning, saving your time and energy.

Pros
  • Durable
  • Even heat
  • Temperature control
Cons
  • Quality issues

Slow Cookers - How Do They Work?

best slow cooker and pressure cooker

Traditional slow cookers include high and low settings, below 200 and above 212°F; however, there are those "keep warm" slow cookers, and they keep the temperature at 165°F.

These slow cookers also include various options when you cook, and you can select the right one for your needs.

Selecting the Best Slow Cooker America's Test Kitchen: Buyer's Guide

It's not easy to pick the best slow cookers, as you need to follow and consider various features.

But, don't worry; we're here to help you & guide you through this process.

1. Size

As some slow cookers include 1.5-quart of capacity, there are some 6-quart slow cookers or even 8-quart slow cookers.

Thus, you will select the appropriate power according to the meals you need to prepare and the number of your family members.


2. Programs of Slower Cookers

Some slower cookers feature a "delay start" benefit, which means you can start the process without pressing the button. This comes very handy; however, the experts don't recommend it for longer than two hours, particularly with meat, due to bacteria.

best slow cooker recipes

3. Footprints

Measure your countertops and then choose the slow cookers. Do you have enough room for the slow cookers? Are they too tall to fit under your cabinets? Will they occupy the entire cabinet?

Bear that in mind.


4. Extra Features

Will you use slow cookers only for slower cooking or use other features, such as air fry, sear, or sous vide?

The best slow cookers come with temperature probes that allow you to monitor the inner temperatures without moving the lids. However, those with "keep warm" automatic options are also flawless.

Additional Tips About ATK

America's Test Kitchen is a popular half-hour TV show about cooking, broadcast by Create and PBS. Their main goal is to provide various delicious food recipes, test cooks, food scientists, cookware specialists, tasters, and editors.

If you have additional questions for ATK, want to become their members, or redeem a gift membership, you can sign up for their cooking newsletter. They won't discover either your personal information or email address.

America's Test won't disclose it and will keep your database. You will also receive the cooking newsletter and additional info in your email.

Start a free trial. Try the three sites free for 14 days, and get all the recipes over 25 years. So, enter your email address, register now, get free recipes, and create the ultimate dishes with the experts in the kitchen! Your family will love them!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Slow Cooker healthy?

Yes, it is. A cooker is a perfect tool to cook everything you love as it doesn't destroy the nutrients. Lower temperatures will preserve them, which is not the case with higher degrees.

Slowly cooked food also tastes better.

Finally, the slow cooker is excellent if you want to cook meat. The proteins and fat won't spread into several compounds as they don't directly interact with the heat.


Which is better, a crockpot or a slow cooker?

best slow cooker ribs america's test kitchen

Ah, this is an insensitive question, as both options offer similar cooking options.

The only difference is that a crockpot offers a ceramic bottom, and uniform heat distribution encompasses the sides and walls, which is not the case with a cooker. As a result, the cooker only heats the bottom, and some dishes might burn due to this.

However, when you regulate the warmth, this won't happen. But if you want more security, you might go with a crockpot.


What is the best slow cooker on the market today?

The best cooker is undoubtedly the Hamilton Beach Programmable Slow Cooker. Thanks to its performance, quality, and design, the cooker offers you maximum durability and sturdiness to endure all the pressure and last longer.

The cooker is also versatile and adjustable to your needs.


What is the difference between Cook's Country and America's Test Kitchen?

The main difference is that America's Test Kitchen strives to create recipes that work, while Cook's Country focuses on presenting history through food.

They might seem indistinguishable to viewers due to the same themes; however, their presentation is the crucial difference.


What cannot be cooked in a slow cooker?

best slow cooker recipes america's test kitchen

Here are ten food types you SHOULDN'T cook in the cooker: These include:

  • dairy
  • rice
  • couscous
  • boneless chicken breast
  • pasta
  • delicate vegetables - tomatoes, spinach, peas, asparagus
  • extra fat
  • raw meat
  • wine
  • seafood

Final Verdict

And, here we are. We've reached the end of our destination. What now? Well, it's time to decide on the best slow cooker for your needs.

Let us remind you that the best option in the market is the flawless Hamilton Beach Programmable Slow Cooker due to the multiple benefits and advantages it offers.

So, don't miss it and see the best cooking results. Your kitchen needs it, trust us!

Hamilton Beach Portable 7 Quart Programmable Slow Cooker with Three Temperature Settings, Lid Latch...*
  • Reduce messy spills. The unique Lid Latch strap anchors onto the base to hold the lid securely in place when carrying meals in the slow cooker. Take hot meals to parties, potlucks or to serve at the...
  • Versatile cooking with 15 programmable options. Mix and match warm, low or high heat settings with your choice of 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 hours of cooking time.
  • Perfect for family meals. The 7 quart slow cooker has a stoneware crock that can fit a variety of foods, from lasagna and desserts to large cuts of meat. It will hold a 7 lb. chicken or a 5 lb. roast....
  • Set & Forget. The programmable slow cooker automatically switches to the warm heat setting after cooking is complete. No watching or stirring needed. You can set it and forget it.
  • Easy to lift and carry. This Hamilton Beach slow cooker has full-grip handles that make it easy to carry.

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