Slow Cooker
Slow cookers are one of those appliances that can make life much simpler and offer a healthy way to feed your family, no matter what the size. We live in a day and time where we want convenience, and we want it now. Often nutrition is sacrificed when the home cooked meal is traded for frozen or take out. A slow cooker is a way for families to reclaim the nutritional value with the added bonus of convenience. Slow cookers aren't a complicated appliance for most. Even younger members of the family can help prepare meals. From fresh ingredients to even fully prepared freezer meals, you can utilize your slow cooker to save time and money.
What to look for in a slow cooker:
Size
Depending on the number of people you will be preparing for, you can purchase a slow cooker to accommodate. Slow cookers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. You might even want to invest in one or two sizes that you can choose from depending on the size of meals you are preparing. Small slow cookers make the perfect size for dips. Large slow cookers can accommodate large roasts. Keep in mind that cooking too much food isn't always a bad thing because slow cooker leftovers are great too.
Programmable
Many slow cookers come with a programmable timer so that you can rest assured that your supper will be hot and ready when you want it to be. Depending on your schedule, this may or may not be a big factor, but it's a nice feature for many families on the go.
Brand
Not all slow cookers are created equal. The prices may vary and just as in many cases with small appliances, you will want to check reviews and warranty information before investing in a slow cooker.
Style
While slow cookers used to have one basic style years ago, they are now offered in a variety of styles. Pretty enough to leave out on your counter top permanently. If you don't have the counter space, not to worry, you can hide it easily below the counter, too.
Slow Cooker Liners
One more convenience that many families would appreciate is easy slow cooker cleanup. Slow cooker liners can be found in the paper products section of your local store and simply line the slow cooker crock for easy cleanup and storage afterwards.
Slow Cooker recipes
The slow cooker has been around long before the internet, but you can find thousands of tried and true recipes for your slow cooker on the world wide web. Below are a few links, but the options are endless. Available at your fingertips are dips, soups, sauces, main dishes, even dessert recipes are easily found online simply buy searching "recipes for slow cookers".
A few of the most popular brands of slow cookers include:
- All-Clad
- Hamilton Beach
- Crock-Pot
- Cuisinart
- Bella
Top 5 Routes for "Slow Cooker"
- Good Housekeeping This website will allow you to see different top brands and compare them based on reviews, cost, size, and style.
- The Spruce This website is meant to educate you as you compare and shop for the perfect slow cooker for you and your needs.
- Real Simple Another tried and true website to help you decipher the differences in the slow cooker market.
- Cooking Light This is a great website for some slow cooker recipes to try until you master your own culinary skills.
- Sidetracked Sarah This is an informative site that offers ideas for those who want to go one step further and prepare their slow cooker meals and freeze them for the ultimate convenience.
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