The number one feature of a mini slow cooker is that they are small and compact, which makes it a good option when you’re tight on space or don’t want a lot of leftovers. But there are other features that may interest you as well. Almost all mini slow cookers have basic temperature control functions that let you switch between high, low, or warm settings. Some models, like the Cuisinart 4-Quart 3-in-1 Cook Central Multicooker, come with built-in timers, allowing you to set how long you want your meal to cook for. They will automatically shut off or hold the food at temperature when the timer is up.

Sensio Home COS298392 Gourmet by Sensiohome 7.1L Triple Slow

Food should not be kept on the warm setting overnight. Likewise, food should not be placed in a slow cooker overnight that is not turned on to cook. Grainger says convenience, ease, and safety are three key reasons that slow cookers have been a favorite kitchen appliance for decades. “Because slow cooked meals are often prepped in the morning to be eaten at dinner, you can feel reassured that the food is cooked and held at the proper temperature to avoid any food safety issues. Families on-the-go often rely on the convenience of slow cookers to cut down on take-out meals and fast food while still being able to enjoy a nutritious home cooked meal.” There are three settings total: program (which allows you to set a cooking time), probe (which uses the temperature probe to determine doneness), and manual (which lets you set high, low, or warm temperatures without setting a cooking time). We were really impressed by the ease of use; as the name implies, you really can set it and forget it. Not a single dish had any hot spots: Everything came out evenly cooked and delicious. It's incredibly convenient to be able to sear ingredients in the same pan before slow cooking, and the steam function is helpful for veggies, seafood, dumplings or tamales. There are handles on both the exterior and the ceramic bowl, which makes it easy to travel with the whole machine to keep food warm on a buffet or just the lighter interior. If you can afford a more expensive slow cooker, this is a fantastic choice that'll last a long time.There are other slow cookers on this list that are cheesy dip champs. And while this unit keeps dips creamy and warm, the small size forces you to half or even quarter most dip recipes intended for a standard size slow cooker. However, it’s earned such high praise for preparing another entertaining staple: condiments. This is a sauce king. We used it to make a buttery broth with bacon and white wine to spoon over grilled clams and it was the perfect size for both preparing and serving. How much chili are you going to cook? Slow cookers tend to perform best when they’re at least half full, so there’s no sense in buying a giant cooker if you prefer cooking in small quantities. On the other hand, if you often make batches of food to freeze, a large cooker is your best bet. What’s more, each pot has an individual temperature control, so you can prepare recipes with varying temperature requirements. It had no problems keeping our food warm; our cheese dip remained hot for over two hours. Another big selling point is that the slow cooker features a special lid holder right on the body, making it easy to cover and uncover the food whenever you want. It also means that you don’t have to set the lid down on the table. The one thing is that it doesn't have a lid latch to keep food tightly sealed. So, please take care when carrying or traveling with it. When shopping for the best small small cooker for your needs, it’s important to consider the type: manual or programmable. Manual slow cookers are much more budget friendly as they just offer straight-forward temperature settings. However a programmable slow cooker has a timer with automatic functionality such as an auto shut off after a set cook time has been completed. That comes in handy when cooking meats you don’t want to dry out or following a specific time for slow cooker desserts. A programmable slow cooker can also schedule cook times and delay cooking, which is super handy for party prep The slow-cook function can be set to high, low, simmer, or warm for optimal cooking control up to 24 hours. Roasting can be set for 250 to 450 degrees for up to six hours, steaming can be set for up to 90 minutes, and sauté can be set for up to 500 degrees.

Gourmet Triple Slow Cooker — Direct GB

It’s more expensive than other slow cookers the same size, but the nifty design is worth the splurge. Each slow cooker pot features a slot for utensils so there’s no need to keep spoon rests. Even better: each slow cooker features a lid rest, so you don’t end up placing the lid on the counter only to realize there’s a pool of hot water or a ring of BBQ sauce to clean up. The shallow design doesn’t allow for cooking some traditional slow cooker meals like pot roasts and stews. Using frozen meat in a slow cooker is not recommended. Frozen meat and poultry should be thawed before using in a slow cooker recipe. While some frozen vegetables can be added to a soup or stew in a slow cooker without issue, frozen meat and poultry will increase the cook time needed and may not cook evenly. The experts say it best. “With a mini slow cooker, you can make everything from chili to dip, or a delicious pot roast to oxtails,” says Massey. “It’s great for group functions and gatherings, especially when you want to please different taste buds.”This is the perfect slow cooker for large families or anyone who likes to cook freezer meals. The 10-quart capacity is even large enough to handle a 10-pound turkey or 12-pound roast, saving oven space for pies and dinner rolls. This cooker can be set for low or high heat, and it has a warm setting to keep food at serving temperature when cooking is done. Like regular slow cookers, mini slow cookers have an exterior shell that holds the electrical elements and an inner chamber made from stoneware, ceramic, stainless steel, or other similar materials,” says Reginald Massey, owner of Let It Marinate Catering. Although the outer electrical part can only be hand washed, the lids and inner pots are usually dishwasher safe. Features The best small slow cooker is one that will last years in your kitchen. Ensuring that it does means cleaning the appliance after each use. “Before cleaning your slow cooker, be sure it is turned off, unplugged, and has had time to cool,” says Grainger. “If the interior bowl and glass lid can be removed, wash with warm, soapy water or, if allowed by the manufacturer, wash in the dishwasher. Before storing, gently wipe down the exterior of the slow cooker with warm, soapy water and a washcloth, sponge, or rubber spatula to remove any cooked-on food making sure to avoid scouring pads and abrasive cleaners.”

Global Gourmet Triple Slow Cooker | Multi-functional Triple

On the downside, we were not satisfied with our food on low settings: The rice was soft and mushy when it was done. But we had no issue when using it on the high setting. It’s easy to clean, and the inner pot is dishwasher safe. Overall, we think this slow cooker would be most useful for making party dips, sauces, and meatballs, and for the price, it’s hard to say no. Most mini slow cookers have a 1- to 3-quart capacity. However, there are some slow cookers and food warmers with a capacity less than 1 quart at just .65 quarts. Mini slow cookers are typically categorized as a capacity below 4 quarts,” says Lynne Just, Consumer Test Kitchen Chef at Hamilton Beach Brands. “For small kitchens with tight spaces, the most beneficial attribute is their condensed size. However, some other reasons you might reach for a mini slow cooker instead of a full-size option include cooking meals for one to two people, cooking small cuts of meat or small batches of soups or stews, using it as a fondue pot, cooking with no leftovers.” The mini slow cookers on our list range in size from 1 to 4 quarts. Those in the 1- to 1.5-quart category are great when cooking for one or making dips, while 2.5 quarts and larger is best for cooking for two to three or those who prefer leftovers. Slow cookers are a great kitchen tool, but speeding up the cooking process by pressure cooking can also be a huge benefit. This Instant Pot can do both and much, much more. The customizable temperature can cook at just the right heat for any recipe, the warm function can keep food ready for serving, and the temperature accuracy stays within +/- 1.8 degrees, so it can even be used for sous vide cooking.

If you’re living alone, or have limited kitchen or countertop space, having a mini slow cooker is beneficial. “Its compact size makes it ideal for individuals or small households, providing perfectly portioned meals without the need for excess leftovers,” says Just. You can use this slow cooker to cook your meal, and when it’s done it turns into an attractive serving dish for dips, sauces, and more. Plus, the stoneware is oven safe, so you can always put it in the oven for the finishing touches on a cheesy crab dip or baked spinach dip. Instead of buying three separate slow cookers, the Elite Gourmet Triple Slow Cooker makes it convenient by combining them so you can make three dishes at once. We were impressed with this slow cooker’s potential and saw the benefit of owning one, especially for hosting dinner or tailgate parties. Each pot holds 2.5 quarts, which is ideal for cooking different types of dips, desserts, and meat. However, its small size is more appropriate to use for small gatherings rather than a big crowd. Washing is easy, too, as each pot and lid are dishwasher safe. However, it’s worth noting that the entire unit weighs over 25 pounds when all three pots are in, so it may not be the best appliance to store on a high shelf or in a hard to reach cabinet. When cooking for one or two people, opt for a 2 to 3-quart slow cooker,” says Grainger. “While cooking larger cuts of meat like a roast may not be recommended, it is the ideal size for small meals, soups, and dips. Plus, many traditional slow cooker recipes that serve four to siz can easily be cut in half to fit into a smaller slow cooker.”