The earliest model of an electric slow cooker was designed in the early seventies (also known as a Crock Pot slow cooker). Since then, manufacturers have spent a lot of time and energy making improvements to its basic design. Today we have the very stylish programmable slow cooker.

Programmable slow cookers are much more expensive to buy, but there is a choice for all budgets. The price you pay for your slow cooker depends on how many programmable gadgets you want on the actual item. The cheaper models will usually just come with the most basic on and off switch and a light to show that is working. Here are a few tips on choosing a slow cooker:

A well-designed programmable cooker should have a clear display LED control panel on the outer unit.

Should have more than one cooking program: high heat cooking, simmering, probe (for pot roasts), and a keep-warm automatic cut off mechanism. I t should also come with accessories like spoon holders, tight fitting lids to keep the steam in when cooking, sturdy and heat resistant handles useable in the dishwasher.

Slow cookers cook through generating heat from the bottom of a metallic or a crock-pot when the base unit is switched on. The bottom of the unit is a fitted electric upright coil, which get hot when the cooking starts. The food is cooked at a low temperature and you don’t need to attend to it any further. The best thing about slow cookers is that the food cooks in its own and added juices, and there is no fear of burning. You don’t even need to lift the lid and look at the food. You can see it from a glass cover.

Programmable slow cookers are great for cooking tough and inexpensive cuts of meat, roasting large meats, making perfect rice and much more. To get the maximum out of your programmable slow cooker, it is important for it to have a good shape. Most people find that the oval shape is perfect as it takes up very little room. A typical size is a 3 quart slow cooker. It can hold a lamb roast or a big chicken and some vegetables. You must make sure you leave enough room for the meal to cook; otherwise you have to eat under cooked meals.

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The basic slow cooker was devised forty years ago. Since then, its design and features have evolved considerably to bring us the programmable slow cooker. Programmable slow cookers cost a lot more because they have more features than the basic models. Some of the cheaper, more basic models will only have an one switch which has to be manually turned on. Look for the following when buying a slow cooker:

There must be digital controls on the panel of the cooker. It should have 3 cooking programs: program, manual & probe, and automatic keep-warm.

What is it that makes a slow cooker work? Slow cookers cook through indirect heat from below an iron or pottery stand unit. The bottom unit consists of an upright food container lined with coils. When the cooker is switched on, it transmits heat to the pottery dish in the unit. The food is cooked at a low temperature either overnight or during the depending on the program. The good thing about slow cookers is that the food requires no stirring or basting or turning over. Experts argue that lifting the lid and stirring the food will reduce the cooking temperature and affect the whole cooking process.

The food braises in its own juices, plus any liquid stock added at the start of the process. A programmable slow cooker is marvelous for cooking cheaper cuts of meat, pot roast, turning them into tender morsels that melt in your mouth. The shape of the slow cooker is important. A broad shape is ideal. It can hold a pot roast or a big chicken without being too full, in case your meal does not get cooked properly.

Best Programmable Slow Cookers:

All-Clad 99005 7 Quart Slow Cooker costs $275, is costs the most. Use the compatible insert made from copper for sealing cheaper cuts of meat prior to adding to the slow cooker to cook. The insert is not very big and any browning has to be done in small amounts. It has many features, such automatic program timers. If you buy an All Clad slow cooker, or any programmable cooker be careful of reading the programming instructions, as they need to be followed in sequence. Otherwise your cooker will not switch on to cook your meal.

All-Clad 6.5-quart Slow cooker come with a ceramic insert and costs $200. It has all the basic features of reliable programmable slow cooker. It has the cooking insert, a clear lid, digital timer, and can be programmed 26 hours in advance to switch on and cook. It has some excellent user reviews when tested for liquid cooking. It also has a very visible LED display, and looks really neat on the dinner table. The product is imported from China, so when buying read the warranty thoroughly in case of manufacturing faults. It could be prone to cracking very quickly.

Kitchen Aid 7 Slow Cooker, cost $130.00 and is much bigger than the Cuisinart . Kitchen-Aid programmable slow cooker cooks on high heat for the 120 minutes, then shifting to a low, for the rest of the cooking duration. User of slow cookers like the squared design insert for removing excess liquid, the neat design, dark colors and portion sizes in the insert.

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