- The Ninja Multi Cooker has a Auto stay-warm feature which i love and when you use the slow cooker it goes into the warm setting. Dial Selector An LED Display that is gorgeous to look at, and simplified Digital Timer And a lovely descriptive included cook book, with a wonderful variety of recipes, i actually wish they had more.
- The Ninja 3-in-1 Slow Cooker is quite possibly one of the best on the market. Check out our review to find out why you need to buy one.
How to fix on a ninja crockpot e01 - NINJA SEARious Slow Cooker. According to the manual it means the cooking pot is not inside of the device. Same thing happened to ours which is why I looked it up to begin with. You can't post conmments that contain an email address.
Slow cookers are a must-have appliance for anyone with a kitchen. Also known as a right of passage to being a grown-ass adult who has their life together — or at the very least, makes you look like you do.
Whether you've been on your own for 20 years and have kids, just graduated college, or hell, are still in college, you know the struggle of being too busy to cook a nice meal. (If you're a parent, this struggle is multiplied.) 'Mmm, another frozen meal,' said no one ever. Don't you just wishsomeone could have dinner ready at your beck and call? Is that really too much to ask?
Nope — not with a slow cooker. These workhorses can save you some serious stress about what to make every night, not to mention cut back on the amount of time you spend in the kitchen, as they require about five minutes of prep from you while they do the rest. Plus, whether you're meal prepping or saving leftovers, it's a lot less expensive than eating out all the time.
SEE ALSO: Why Instant Pots are the best: We explore the Lux, Duo, Ultra, Max, and more
We especially love our slow cooker during the winter, when the chilly (negative degree) air outside makes us crave a toasty meal like chili or soup. We also love them in the fall, as they're especially handy to take tailgating and showing off your famous pulled pork recipe. They're also also great for summer BBQs for staples like ribs or macaroni and cheese. So actually, they're just clutch year round.
Slow cookers have been around for generations, and we wouldn't be surprised if you've already been through a few in your adult life. (Or had your heart broken by one on TV — ahem This is Us.) New ones are constantly hitting the market (you are literally older than the Instant Pot), and it's agonizing trying to find the stand-out features other than, you know, cooking slowly.
We scoured the internet to find the best slow cookers for any situation or skill level, and here's what we found:
Remembers your personal settings • Easy to use LCD screen • Has 9 other functions in addition to slow cooking
Learning curve and lack of instructions
Our pick is the futuristic Ultra, but we love how each Instant Pot goes past slow cooking to save space and cooking time.
1. Instant Pot Ultra
Any Instant Pot goes above and beyond, but the Ultra is the high-tech version that offers the best balance of recipe versatility and price.- Capacity: 3-quart, 6-quart, 8-quart
- Style options: Stainless steel
- Other models: Lux, Duo, Duo Plus, Max, Smart, Aura Pro
- Amazon rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars
We know a title with 'instant' in it doesn't seem to go with 'slow' cooker, but trust us — they do. These wildly intelligent pressure cookers took the small appliance world by storm with their ability to replace multiple kitchen devices (and brands with single-use cookers were so scared, they all tried to release their own version of an Instant Pot). Aside from the versatility packed into the three-, six-, or eight-quart devices, Instant Pots are also said to cook 2-10 times faster and use 70% less energy than average cookers. Boom.
Our personal favorite is the 10-in-1 Ultra, or what Instant Pot refers to as 'the next generation of kitchen appliances.' The first number stands for the number of appliances an Instant Pot can replace, and in this case it's a slow cooker, rice cooker, egg cooker, steamer, warmer, sauté pan, yogurt maker, and cake maker, and is also equipped with handy personalized programming to remember your settings for specific recipes.
The Ultra also features built-in smart programs like bean/chili, meat/stew, soup/broth, and more, so you may be tempted to use this handy cooking device at every single meal.
Amazon customer Ashley Davis writes:
Our personal favorite is the 10-in-1 Ultra, or what Instant Pot refers to as 'the next generation of kitchen appliances.' The first number stands for the number of appliances an Instant Pot can replace, and in this case it's a slow cooker, rice cooker, egg cooker, steamer, warmer, sauté pan, yogurt maker, and cake maker, and is also equipped with handy personalized programming to remember your settings for specific recipes.
The Ultra also features built-in smart programs like bean/chili, meat/stew, soup/broth, and more, so you may be tempted to use this handy cooking device at every single meal.
Amazon customer Ashley Davis writes:
'This is the greatest investment I have made in a long time. It's so versatile! I have cooked pulled pork several times, whole chickens and a turkey breast where the meat literally fell off the bones. One of my favorite features is hard boiled eggs. I have tried every method under the sun to get my hard boiled egg shells to come off easily without tearing most of the whites apart. I have finally found the solution.'Instant Pots come in six (!!!) other models: The 6-in-1 Lux, the best-selling 7-in-1 Duo and 9-in-1 Duo Plus, the 12-in-1 Max, the 7-in-1 Smart WiFi series, and the 11-in-1 Aura Pro. There's truly one for every budget and skill level, and we are in love.
Automatically shifts to warm when time is up • Locking lid for easy transportation
Temperature isn't always precise • Lid cracks easily
Crock-Pot has a knack for making slow cooking easy for anyone — now it's transportable, too.
2. Crock-Pot Cook & Carry
Crock-Pot is the OG slow cooker brand. The Cook and Carry model is travel-friendly and great for people who hate reading instructions.- Capacity: 6-quart
- Style options: Stainless steel
- Amazon rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars
It's Crock-Pot's time to shine. After getting (hilariously) obliterated by the media during a , we felt like it was necessary to give them the props they deserve. Some feel like there's a steep learning curve that comes the Instant Pot — if you were intimidated by those nine functions but still want something programmable, the is a smart, yet simple choice. Plus, its lid locking feature and double seal lid gasket make it ideal for no-mess transporting to potlucks, parties, or tailgates. All parts are dishwasher safe, and the removable stoneware can even go in the microwave.
The programmable digital countdown control lets you set cook times anywhere from 30 minutes to 20 hours on high or low temperature settings. When time is up, Crock-Pot will automatically shift to warm to prevent overcooking. If you're one of those people who hates reading instructions, this is the slow cooker for you.
The 6-quart size of this Crock-Pot makes it great for feeding the whole family, or for simply cooking up a *huge* batch of beans or steel-cut oats for the entire week.
Amazon customer J. Austin writes:
The programmable digital countdown control lets you set cook times anywhere from 30 minutes to 20 hours on high or low temperature settings. When time is up, Crock-Pot will automatically shift to warm to prevent overcooking. If you're one of those people who hates reading instructions, this is the slow cooker for you.
The 6-quart size of this Crock-Pot makes it great for feeding the whole family, or for simply cooking up a *huge* batch of beans or steel-cut oats for the entire week.
Amazon customer J. Austin writes:
'Exactly what was expected from Crock-Pot. I have always loved their products. GREAT PRICE as well. I love that it locks the lid down for easy transport. The timer/programing option on it works amazingly. You just set the time that you need and once it has finished it will just switch over to keep it warm. Great item to help with dinners on busy nights. Once I come home from work dinner is ready to dish up.'Crock-Pot also has a cooker similar to this, all , which would make an awesome gift for the sports-obsessed mom or dad (hint hint).
Set and forget feature up to 24 hours • Temperature probe for meat cooking • Clip-tight gasket lid
Reviews mention shutting off too early
Fancy recipe? This cooker's 24-hour cooking and temperature probe ensures precise interior cooking temps for difficult cuts.
3. Hamilton Beach Set and Forget Slow Cooker
Precision is the name of the game here, featuring a day-long timer and temperature probe to aid meat-heavy menus.
- Capacity: 6-quart
- Style options: Stainless steel
- Amazon rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars
Hamilton Beach rocks nearly every appliance category they're in, and their Cooker is not messing around. They took the words right out of our mouths when they dubbed it 'not your mom's slow cooker.' It has three smart features (probe, program, and manual) that can cook a recipe to a desired cooking time or specific temperature, before automatically switching to warm when it’s done. It's called Set & Forget, and it's the handiest thing ever. Instead of just high and low temperature settings, this Hamilton Beach cooker lets you choose your exact temperature and will display the numbers on the screen to make sure heating is precise.
The included temperature probe offers a huge helping hand when it comes to large cuts of meat. Simply *stab* your roast and the probe's screen will relay the temperature in the middle, so you can be sure nothing is undercooked. The clip-tight gasket lid makes for easy transportation without spills, and has a spot to use the probe while the lid is closed, meaning you can take the temp without opening the cover to release any precious heat. (See photo for what we mean).
Amazon customer Rave and Rant writes:
The included temperature probe offers a huge helping hand when it comes to large cuts of meat. Simply *stab* your roast and the probe's screen will relay the temperature in the middle, so you can be sure nothing is undercooked. The clip-tight gasket lid makes for easy transportation without spills, and has a spot to use the probe while the lid is closed, meaning you can take the temp without opening the cover to release any precious heat. (See photo for what we mean).
Amazon customer Rave and Rant writes:
'Oh my goodness, I love this slow cooker! It can be programmed, manually set, and can cook to an internal temperature. I am known for overcooking meat, since I am terrified of food borne illnesses. This has remedied that! I seared my roast, stuck it in the ceramic crock, stabbed it with the probe through the probe hold on the glass lid, set my temperature, and it switched to warm when it was finished cooking. The warm setting is quite hot, and will keep food at a healthy temperature. I would buy this again in a heartbeat!'As if the temperature probe wasn't enough good news for roast obsessives, this oval shape will make laying slabs flat and poking the middle much easier than a cylindrical model.
80 pre-programmed recipes • Nonstick interior with easy cleanup • Oval shape gives it a leg up on the Instant Pot
Easy to burn yourself around the edges • Intimidating if you don't need anything fancy
A step up from the 4-in-1, Ninja's hands-off features eliminate the stress of overcooking.
4. Ninja Auto-IQ Multi Slow Cooker
Quit stressing about babysitting your meals and let Ninja's smart programs do the work for you.- Capacity: 6-quart
- Style options: Stainless steel
- Amazon rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
If you want things done right, you've got to do it yourself — that is, unless you have Ninja's slow cooker with Auto-IQ. Then definitely let it do the work for you.
Notorious in the world of smart kitchen appliances, Ninja packs as many recipe possibilities in their devices as possible. (If a lot of buttons make you nervous, this may not be the one for you). This slow cooker goes above and beyond what most of the competition can do, with the shining feature being Auto-IQ, which shows up in Ninja's famous blenders as well. Instead of needing multiple tries to get the perfect temperature and time combo down pat, Auto-IQ offers 80 pre-programmed recipe functions divided into grains, poached infusions, layered bowls, and 30-minutes-or-less meals. Your only task is to select and mix the ingredients — with the exception of having a personal shopper, it literally doesn't get easier.
Four programmable cooking options are also present: Choose from slow cook, sear, sauté, and bake to expand your manual options and free up the stove and oven if the kitchen is crowded. The time and temperature are on the screen, so keeping track of progress is easy.
Amazon customer Kori Duncan writes:
Notorious in the world of smart kitchen appliances, Ninja packs as many recipe possibilities in their devices as possible. (If a lot of buttons make you nervous, this may not be the one for you). This slow cooker goes above and beyond what most of the competition can do, with the shining feature being Auto-IQ, which shows up in Ninja's famous blenders as well. Instead of needing multiple tries to get the perfect temperature and time combo down pat, Auto-IQ offers 80 pre-programmed recipe functions divided into grains, poached infusions, layered bowls, and 30-minutes-or-less meals. Your only task is to select and mix the ingredients — with the exception of having a personal shopper, it literally doesn't get easier.
Four programmable cooking options are also present: Choose from slow cook, sear, sauté, and bake to expand your manual options and free up the stove and oven if the kitchen is crowded. The time and temperature are on the screen, so keeping track of progress is easy.
Amazon customer Kori Duncan writes:
'I absolutely love this multi-cooker. I am the primary cook in my household. To say that this appliance has made that task much simpler is an understatement. Dinners that would normally require two pans, the stove, and the oven, can be made just using the Ninja. Cleanup is a snap. I've never been happier with a purchase for my kitchen!'Another bonus we should mention is the cleanup: It's essentially non-existent. Numerous reviews mention that even the messiest dishes won't get stuck.
Self-basting lid • Comes in four sizes • Slow-cooks faster than a traditional oven
Temperature might not be accurate • Heavy, but that's expected
Meat enthusiasts will be thankful for Oster's extra large size options and no learning curve.
5. Oster 20-quart self-basting roaster
When roasting is a way of life instead of a hobby, Oster's XL capacity makes big cuts and doubled recipes much more manageable.- Capacity: 16-quart to 22-quart
- Colors: Stainless steel, black, white, red
- Amazon rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Oster is essentially the poster child for 'you don't have to pay a lot to get good quality' and this oversized slow cooker is a prime example. Rolling in at just $59.99, it's cheaper than many slow cookers on the market that are half its size.
Master your Guy Fieri impressions with the ultimate cooker for meat lovers: With settings like bake, roast, slow cook, and keep warm, you can perfect multiple techniques while peering at your food while it's cooking. Plus, a bake feature here will free up oven space for other items when you're cooking a lot at once (also, cake!)
Especially clutch over the holidays, this roaster comes in a 16-quart, 18-quart, 20-quart, and 22-quart model to fit the needs of the number of people you'll be serving (the 22-quart can tackle turkeys up to 26 pounds). The listing claims it's space saving, which seems a little impossible. However, its self-basting lid recirculates moisture automatically, so it will save you the trouble of digging out the baster. Oster also claims that it uses 36% less energy and cooks 30% faster than a traditional oven.
Amazon customer Valerie writes:
Master your Guy Fieri impressions with the ultimate cooker for meat lovers: With settings like bake, roast, slow cook, and keep warm, you can perfect multiple techniques while peering at your food while it's cooking. Plus, a bake feature here will free up oven space for other items when you're cooking a lot at once (also, cake!)
Especially clutch over the holidays, this roaster comes in a 16-quart, 18-quart, 20-quart, and 22-quart model to fit the needs of the number of people you'll be serving (the 22-quart can tackle turkeys up to 26 pounds). The listing claims it's space saving, which seems a little impossible. However, its self-basting lid recirculates moisture automatically, so it will save you the trouble of digging out the baster. Oster also claims that it uses 36% less energy and cooks 30% faster than a traditional oven.
Amazon customer Valerie writes:
'From this point forward I will NEVER cook a turkey in the oven again !! This little gem did EVERYTHING it 'claimed' and then some!! Our turkey was praised by everyone and I can tell you it was seriously moist and cooked to perfection. It really did cook it in the two hours. I can't wait for Christmas to put my ham in it!! Don't be scared - you won't regret this purchase!!'This granddaddy oven also has options for a buffet server feature and an outdoor smoker feature if self-basting isn't something you're into.
Ninja 4 In 1 Slow Cooker Instruction Manual
Rare combo of small size and awesome reviews • Easily stored • Five color options
Most recipes call for bigger ingredient quantities • Warm setting is too hot
This little guy offers the capabilities of a high-end cooker, just in a size that's perfect for single people, students, or small households.
6. Elite Gourmet 1.5-quart slow cooker
This little guy offers the capabilities of a high-end cooker, just in a size that's perfect for single people, students, or small households.- Capacity: 1.5 quarts to 2 quarts
- Style options: Stainless steel, metallic red, purple, teal, black
- Amazon rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
On this episode of Referring To Kitchen Appliances as 'Adorable:' Instead of making way more food than you need, the Elite Gourmet 1.5-quart cooker is just right for college students, couples, or homes with less-than-ample storage space. Dips, soup, and all those times that you don't need a giant 7-quart pot just got a whole lot easier.
If you've done your own shopping for a compact cooker, you know how hard it is to find a small-capacity slow cooker that doesn't short you on features. (Some don't have an off button — really?) Like any other top contender, this one is armed with a three-setting dial, cool-touch handles, and dishwasher safe stoneware. Elite Gourmet may not be as immediately recognizable as other brands in the list, but they really should be.
Amazon customer S. Stewart writes:
If you've done your own shopping for a compact cooker, you know how hard it is to find a small-capacity slow cooker that doesn't short you on features. (Some don't have an off button — really?) Like any other top contender, this one is armed with a three-setting dial, cool-touch handles, and dishwasher safe stoneware. Elite Gourmet may not be as immediately recognizable as other brands in the list, but they really should be.
Amazon customer S. Stewart writes:
'This little compact slow cooker is fabulous!! So convenient for small gatherings or cooking for 2-3 at home. Great for making soups, chili, dips, just all sorts of small quantity food stuff. So happy with my purchase...already had 2 larger crock pots, but I use this one more than the large ones. I got this for a good price for something I use so often!'Extra bonus: Not only is it cute because it's tiny, but it comes in five colors (including purple and teal) as well.
Control it away from home • User-friendly controls despite high-tech feel • Same high, low, and keep warm settings as any slow cooker
Android app isn't great • WiFi connection can be wonky
The wireless capabilities of Black+Decker's cooker offer backup for hectic schedules and minimal time to cook.
7. Black+Decker WiFi enabled slow cooker
The ability to control cooking while away from home is ace for hectic schedules that leave no time for meal prep.- Capacity: 6 quarts
- Style options: Stainless steel
- Amazon rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Controlling your lights, locks, and thermostat away from home makes life so much easier — why shouldn't you be able to do it with cooking? Just like an app-enabled security camera lets you keep an eye on the house, Black+Decker's app-enabled slow cooker lets you keep an eye on your meal as it slow cooks to ensure it doesn't burn or turn off too early. If you have a hectic, unpredictable schedule, that feature will be your best friend.
Black+Decker's line of of slow cookers is pretty robust, but the whole WiFi thing makes it stand out from the competition (other than the Instant Pot, there are almost no smart cookers on the market). With the free app, you can start meals and adjust the temperature throughout the day, switch from high, low, and keep warm settings, monitor progress and even share pictures of your slow cooker meal to social media. (Time to flex those Pinterest recipes.) When your day gets screwed up and you're coming home way later than usual, it'll really come in handy.
Amazon customer Elizabeth writes:
If you love Black+Decker but aren't ready for cooking via an app yet, they also have a well-reviewed manual one that's ultra simple to use and has a chalkboard exterior.
Black+Decker's line of of slow cookers is pretty robust, but the whole WiFi thing makes it stand out from the competition (other than the Instant Pot, there are almost no smart cookers on the market). With the free app, you can start meals and adjust the temperature throughout the day, switch from high, low, and keep warm settings, monitor progress and even share pictures of your slow cooker meal to social media. (Time to flex those Pinterest recipes.) When your day gets screwed up and you're coming home way later than usual, it'll really come in handy.
Amazon customer Elizabeth writes:
'This only cost a bit more than our last Crock Pot but the wireless capabilities are amazing! We're out of the house from 10-11 hours at a time on weekdays and the ability to set out ingredients and not turn the Crock Pot on until 11am-12pm (or to check on how it's progressing while at work) is wonderful.'The app can be a little screwy at first, but you're gonna have that with anything WiFi enabled at first. (I don't want to discuss how long it took my Fire TV Stick to work, which I now couldn't live without.)
If you love Black+Decker but aren't ready for cooking via an app yet, they also have a well-reviewed manual one that's ultra simple to use and has a chalkboard exterior.
9 x 13 shape is rare in the market • Five color options • Easy to serve right from the pot • Can stack leftovers in the fridge
Features might be *too* simple • Overheats on the outside
Be the host with the most with one of the only 9 x 13 cookers out there, optimal for serving casseroles and pasta dishes.
Ninja Slow Cooker Amazon
8. Crock-Pot Manual Casserole Slow Cooker
Ninja Slow Cooker Instruction Manual
Slow cooking layered dishes is finally possible with Crock-Pot's 9 x 13 cooker, ideal for buffet style serving.- Capacity: 3.5-quart
- Style options: Black and white, charcoal, navy blue, plum, stainless steel
- Amazon rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Sometimes, foods just need to lay flat. Casseroles, baked ziti, chicken parmesan, and multiple other dishes just don't cook right without that shallow, 9 x 13 size and shape, but we somehow don't see a lot of that in the slow cooker market. Y'all know Crock-Pot has it covered, though. The is your saving grace in the world of cylindrical slow cookers, with the quality of Crock-Pot that you trust.
Unlike the other Crock-Pot cooker that we mentioned earlier, this one is manual and doesn't have smart programs — but that just means it's simpler to figure out. This slow cooker features a high, low, and warm temperature setting, as well as a lock and carry system to take your dish on the go. (That rectangular shape also makes storing leftovers on a fridge shelf a breeze.)
The 3.5-quart size is perfect for casseroles to feed three or four people, and makes serving right out of the container a breeze.
Amazon customer writes:
Unlike the other Crock-Pot cooker that we mentioned earlier, this one is manual and doesn't have smart programs — but that just means it's simpler to figure out. This slow cooker features a high, low, and warm temperature setting, as well as a lock and carry system to take your dish on the go. (That rectangular shape also makes storing leftovers on a fridge shelf a breeze.)
The 3.5-quart size is perfect for casseroles to feed three or four people, and makes serving right out of the container a breeze.
Amazon customer writes:
'This is THE BEST slow cooker I have ever owned. Got it after seeing online recipe videos where they had this 13x9 pan casserole-style slow cooker. Perfect for pot roasts and other large items that wouldn't fit in the traditional slow cooker design. Heats things evenly, great for making everything from my tried-and-true recipes to new ideas for casserole dishes, such as enchiladas, lasagna, and chicken spaghetti.'This is also one of the models in our list with color options, which we love — hello, kitchens need to match.