Programmable Slow Cookers
6 Crucial Features to Look for in a Programmable Slow Cooker
In the modern world, everything seems to be instant. From instant food to the Information Superhighway, the faster we can get something - the better we assume it is. However, sometimes slow stuff can still be practical. Programmable slow cookers, or crock pots, are perfect examples. They cook food in about 1-12 hours.
So how could a contraption that cooks food slowly benefit modern families? You can simply prepare dinner in the morning. The food will slowly cook during the daytime, and then be ready to eat when everyone returns home at nighttime from work or school. This process is much easier than spending hours preparing dinner after a stressful day, since we tend to have more energy in the mornings. When hunting the perfect programmable slow cooker, here are some matters to consider:
1. Quick-cook feature
There are times when you ran out of time in the morning or simply forgot to load up the slow cooker. The quick-cook feature speeds up the process in preparing your meal. This feature is more convenient than doing traditional cooking, and less expensive than having food delivered.
2. A dishwasher-safe pot
You can further save you time with this feature, since it will significantly reduce your cleanup time. After preparing a meal, simply remove the pot from the main compartment of the slow cooker, give it a light cleaning, and then place it in the dishwasher! After eating a tasty meal that you prepared with a slow cooker, you likely don't want to spend a lot of time and effort cleaning the pot.
3. Price
The prices of slow cookers can different somewhat significantly, though you can find a quality one for less than $50 (USD). Models with extra bells and whistles will cost more - but that's logical, right? Basically, it's crucial that you determine what your specific needs are, and then find a slow cooker model that meets them. Make sure to do your homework before you start shopping.
4. Size
Size matters when looking for the right slow cooker. Besides small and big cookers, you can also find models that have inserts of different sizes. That makes them convenient whether you need to cook a small or large amount of food.
5. Keep-warm setting
This feature is crucial if your family eats dinner and different times in the evening. The keep-warm setting will keep the food warm and savory throughout the evening. Needing to reheat the food outside the slow cooker basically defeats the purpose of owning one.
6. Combination models
You can find slow cookers that have multiple functions. For instance, there are models that cook rice, roast meats, and so on. Sure, these models tend to have higher price tags. But if you want more value in a slow cooker, then these types of models are the ideal choices. It's much cheaper to buy such combo models, than to purchase the appliances individually.
While it's unlikely that modern life will become less hectic, you can still use manual or programmable slow cookers to slow down the pace and enjoy a hearty and nutritious meal!