The Proper Way to Use a Slow Cooker – And the One Worth Owning

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. As busy schedules stretch our days and energy prices climb, the slow cooker remains the most civilised way to ensure dinner is ready when you are. Instead of rushing back to the kitchen every quarter-hour, you simply layer in good ingredients, set a steady heat, and return hours later to find tenderness and depth that no oven or hob can match.

Mastering your slow cooker

A few small habits make the difference between dull stews and fragrant, satisfying meals:

• Prep with care: Slice onions and garlic finely so they melt into the sauce. Brown meat or aromatics in a separate pan if you want a richer flavour base, but don’t feel obliged—slow cooking coaxes sweetness from veg all on its own.
• Use the right cut: Tough, collagen-rich cuts like pork shoulder, beef shin and lamb neck soften beautifully over long, low heat. Root vegetables hold up well; more delicate greens can be stirred in at the end.
• Less liquid than you think: Because very little evaporates under a tight lid, you need just enough stock or wine to come halfway up your ingredients. If the pot looks soupy mid-cook, leave the lid ajar for the final hour.
• Season early and finish bright: Salt and spices permeate meat better when added at the start. Finish with fresh herbs, citrus zest or a dollop of yoghurt to lift the dish before serving.

The slow cooker we actually trust

Among the many models on offer, the one we rely on combines generous capacity with utter simplicity. A 6.5 L ceramic pot takes a whole chicken or enough stew for eight; the control dial offers just three settings—low, high and keep-warm—and the clear glass lid lets you check progress without letting heat escape. Because the removable pot and lid are dishwasher safe, washing up is mercifully brief. For occasional batch cooking or weekly family meals, we haven’t found a better balance of size, features and durability.

You can see the slow cooker we use, and decide if it suits your own kitchen, on Amazon here:

See our preferred 6.5 L slow cooker

Using a slow cooker isn’t about cutting corners; it’s about making peace with time. Fill it in the morning before a busy day, or leave it overnight when the weather turns cold, and you’ll return to a hearty supper that tastes as though you’ve been watching over the pot all d

ay. Keep experimenting—curries, braised beans, poached fruit—and you’ll find new favourites with each season.

A final note

For a deeper dive into the pros, cons and sizing advice, see our full review of the Crock‑Pot 6.5 L Slow Cooker.