Top 5 Best Digital Slow Cookers – with timer and auto keep warm functions
We already know the benefits of a Slow Cooker and how this can be used to fit around our busy life and schedules. Taking slow cooking one step further is to include a digital counter function that lets you set and walk away from your slow cooker leaving it to cook your food to the right temperature and time. Let’s look at some of the best digital slow cookers in the market.
Why Go Digital
Digital slow cooker has a countdown timer and offers the convenience of leaving your slow cooker to cook the food according to your recipe and cooking time.
Essentially, a digital slow cooker lets you:
- Set the cooking time, typically from minutes up to 20 hours (or more depending on models). Slow cooking and gently tenderising meat takes between 6 to 8 hours.
- Displays a countdown timer on the digital display panel showing the amount of time left to complete the cooking time.
- Automatically switches to keep warm mode when the preset time is up to ensure that the food it not overcooked and is kept warm and ready to serve
- Unattended during the day or overnight cooking using the timer to cook your food while you are asleep or when you are out and about running errands or working at the office.
- Free up your time to do other things and not have to rush back to switch off the cooker.
The slow cooker is definitely the best cooking appliance one can have in the kitchen to prepare healthy and tasty food, conveniently in a more cost effective and economical way.
Top 5 Best Digital Slow Cookers
A look at our line-up, 5 of the best digital slow cookers in the market. Also, suggested alternatives should you wish to consider a smaller or bigger option from the same manufacturer. Two of the five digital slow cookers have saute or sear function with the removable cooking pot suitable for direct heating on a hob, oven or grill.
The versatile cookware makes gives slow cooking a much needed twist. If you own a slow cooker, you will soon realise that the texture of the meat prepared the slow cooking way is almost always the same. With the ability to sear and seal the meat prior to slow cooking retains the flavour and seal in the juices. Just make sure you do not over cook it.
1. Calphalon Digital Saute 5-Quart Slow Cooker
The slow cooker features a nonstick ceramic coating, which is easy to clean with 11 times more durability than standard nonstick surfaces. This coating is PTFE- and PFOA-free, making it a safer and healthier option for cooking. With a 5.3-quart capacity, it’s ideal for one-pot family dinners.
The cooking pot is also oven safe, providing additional heating, cooking, and warming options. This versatility makes it suitable for various types of dishes and cooking methods. A unique aspect of this slow cooker is its ability to sear, brown, and sauté in addition to slow cooking, all in one pot. This feature enhances the flavour of dishes by allowing for initial browning or sautéing on the stovetop before slow cooking.
The pot can also be used on electric, gas, or induction cooktops for this purpose. As for slow cooking, it offers two heat settings and an automatic keep-warm mode. These settings allow for flexibility in cooking and ensure that food remains at an ideal temperature until ready to serve. The cooker includes a tempered glass lid, which is sturdy and features a vent for steam release, along with a silicone seal around the lid’s outer edge.
- Capacity: 5.3 quarts
- Key Features: Oven- and range-safe insert, nonstick ceramic coating, LED display
- Performance: Excellent performance with the ability to sear directly in the insert, non-stick for easy cleaning
- Ease of Use: Digital display and controls for precise cooking times
2. Hamilton Beach Portable 6-Quart Set & Forget Digital Programmable Slow Cooker
The slow cooker comes with three smart settings: probe, program, and manual. This allows for cooking foods to a specific temperature, for a set number of hours, or using traditional High/Low heat settings. These settings offer flexibility in cooking methods to suit different recipes and preferences.
The inclusion of a unique temperature probe is one of its standout features. This probe allows you to cook meats to the exact desired internal temperature, ensuring perfectly cooked meals every time. The model also has the ability to safely cook frozen meat without overcooking or defrosting. This feature is particularly useful for those who may not have time to thaw meat in advance.
After the cooking time is complete or the desired temperature is reached, the slow cooker automatically shifts to a keep warm setting. This ensures that the food remains at a suitable serving temperature without further cooking. With a 6-quart capacity, this slow cooker is perfect for preparing one-pot dishes or family meals. It can accommodate a 6 lb. chicken or a 4 lb. roast, making it suitable for various meal sizes. This size serves 7 or more people, ideal for families or entertaining guests.
The design includes features like a clip-tight lid and a lock, enhancing its portability. This makes it easy to transport dishes to potlucks or gatherings without spills. Additionally, both the crock and lid are dishwasher safe, simplifying the cleaning process.
- Capacity: 6 quarts
- Key Features: three cooking mode; probe, program and manual. Temperature probe for precise meat temperature
- Performance: can accommodate a 6 lb. chicken or a 4 lb. roast, cooks for 7 people
- Ease of Use: clip and lock lid to stop spills during transport, dishwasher proof lid and crock pot
3. Hamilton Beach 7-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
This Hamilton Beach slow cooker has an even bigger 7-quarts capacity. It allows you to mix and match temperature settings with various cooking times, offering more programming options than some competing models. You can choose high, low, or warm temperature settings and select 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 hours of cooking time, catering to different recipes and schedules.
The 7-quart capacity, it’s perfect for cooking large meals such as a 7 lb. chicken or a 5 lb. roast, big enough to serve 8 or more people. This makes it idea for families, gatherings or pot lucks. The inclusion of the lid latch strap makes it easy to carry and transport without spills.
The stoneware and glass lid are both removable and dishwasher safe, simplifying the cleanup process. A feature that may not be immediately obvious is the wraparound element that provides even heating, ensuring that your food is cooked uniformly throughout. This helps prevent undercooked or overcooked spots in your dishes.
- Capacity: 7 quarts
- Key Features: 15 programmable settings with warm, low and high as well as 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 hour timer. Dishwasher-safe insert and lid
- Performance: Large crock for family-sized meals, automatically switches to warm setting after timer ends
- Ease of Use: Sleek touchpad
4. Black & Decker 7-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker with Chalk Board Surface SCD4007
Offering the same 7-quart capacity as the Hamilton Beach unit above, this Black & Decker Slow Cooker it suitable for preparing meals for a family or a group. The stoneware crock is durable and designed for consistent heat distribution during the slow cooking process. A distinctive features is its chalkboard exterior. This allows you to write labels, recipes, or creative drawings directly on the surface of the slow cooker. This feature is particularly useful for potluck dinners or for keeping track of recipes and cooking instructions.
The slow cooker is equipped with digital controls that allow you to set the timer and heat level (low, high, warm) as per your recipe requirements. The programmability aspect of the cooker adds to the convenience, allowing meals to be prepared according to your schedule. It automatically switches to ‘Warm’ mode once the cooking is done, keeping the food at an ideal serving temperature.
Like the Hamilton units before, it also features locking handles, which are practical for securely transporting the slow cooker. This is especially handy when taking the cooker to gatherings or events, ensuring the contents stay inside and the lid remains firmly in place. You can also use the clip-tight lid to seal in heat and moisture, ensuring that the food cooks evenly and retains its flavour.
- Capacity: 7 quarts
- Key Features: Travel-safe clips, dishwasher-safe insert
- Performance: Ideal for transport, good cooking performance
- Ease of Use: Simple controls
- Price: $84
5. Crock-Pot Large 8 Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
If 7-quart slow cooker is still not big enough, pick up the Crock-Pot Large 8-quart programmable slow cooker capable of feeding over 10 people. You won’t have to worry about room in there for your food. As for its digital capabiltities, it features a timer that can count down cook times of up to 20 hours. This function allows for precise cooking time management and is ideal for recipes that require extra long, slow cooking times.
As with all digital slow cookers, it will automatically switch to a warming function after cooking to keep the food warm without overcooking. Again, both the lid and stoneware pot are removable and dishwasher-safe to facilitate ease of cleaning up after cooking. Another feature that Crock-Pot boast about this cooker is its innovative finish that provides a warmer and softer surface than traditional stainless steel. This finish requires minimal maintenance to retain a lustrous appearance and adds a modern touch to the kitchen appliance.
We went further with 3 more digital slow cookers to consider:
6. GreenLife Cook Duo Healthy Ceramic Programmable 6 Quart Slow Cooker
The cooker boasts a multipurpose and lightweight nonstick pot that can be removed for quick searing and sautéing on the stovetop before returning it to the base for slow cooking. This feature enhances flavour infusion in meals. It has a spacious 6-quart capacity, offering ample room for preparing family-sized meals. The pot also features a healthy ceramic nonstick coating, which is not only easy to clean but also free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium. This coating is derived from sand, ensuring effortless release of food and worry-free cooking.
As for the digital controls, the slow cooker is equipped with an easy-to-use control panel that includes a delay timer, mode selection, and a keep-warm function. There are three cooking modes: Low, Medium, and High and together with the timer, provide flexibility and control over the cooking process. It can be programmed to cook for up to 10 hours and post cooking, it will keep food warm for a further 4 hours. Finally, both lid and pot are dishwasher safe.
7. Crock-Pot 6 Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker
The unique selling point being cook and carry for portability with its built-in clip and lock latches on the lid. This is designed to avoid leaks and spills during travel so you can safely transport your meals to any gathering, party or events. As for the digital controls, it features a countdown time that one can set from 30 minutes to 20 hours. And, as will all digital slow cookers, switches to keep war, after cooking.
We already established that the 6-quart capacity can serve 7 or more people, making it suitable for preparing large meals or for meal prep. The design includes a polished, silver stainless steel exterior with black accents and plastic handles, providing a sleek and practical look. If you need to know, the removable stoneware is also oven safe and can withstand heat of up to 4oo degrees Fahrenheit. For cleaning up, both lid and stoneware are dishwasher safe.
8. Elite Gourmet MST-900D Digital Programmable Slow Cooker
Just when you think an 8 quart slow cooker is big, this Elite Gourmet has a generous 8.5-quart capacity, making it suitable for preparing meals for a large group or family. It is available in either stainless steel or a bright red colour with sturdy handles and a glass lid. The slow cooker is designed with an easy-to-use digital interface. This allows you to conveniently set the cooking time and temperature with just a touch of a button. It lets you set up to 20 hour advanced programmable timer with three temperature settings; low, medium and high.
BONUS: BLACK+DECKER SCD7007SSD Digital Slow Cooker with Temperature Probe + Precision Sous-Vide
A bonus for those who take their slow cooking serious. This Black and Decker Digital Slow Cooker not only comes with a temperature probe but supports precision sous-vide cooking. Three cooking modes are on offer here and they include slow cooking, sous-vide and temperature controlled cooking. With a large 7-quart capacity it will slow cook, roast, prepare soup, cook chillis and more at low and constant heat.
Cooking with the temperature probe takes away the guess work allowing for precision cooking. Set the desired temperature and insert the probe into cuts of meat. The cooker will ensure that your preferred temperature is reached and the meat is cooked to exacting standards for consistent result. As for its Sous-Vide function, it enables you to prepare restaurant quality meals at home. Cooking food slowly in a controlled water bath for even cooking and to retain its moisture, ideal for meats and other delicate dishes.
Previously Featured Digital Slow Cookers
1. Morphy Richards Accents 461003 Digital Sear and Stew Slow Cooker 6.5 L – BIG, SEAR
Morphy Richards 460005 Digital Slow Cooker 3.5 L – SMALLEST
2. Andrew James Premium Digital Red Slow Cooker 5.0 L
Andrew James Premium Digital Red Slow Cooker 6.5 L – BIG
3. Crock-Pot Digital Slow Cooker 5.7 L – NEW GENERATION
Crock-Pot Sauté Countdown Slow Cooker 5.7 L Silver – SEAR
4. Crock-Pot Digital Countdown Slow Cooker 4.7 L – Gloss Black
5. VonShef Automatic Electric Digital Slow Cooker 6.5 L Stainless Steel – BIG
and one more…
Crock-Pot Digital Sauté Slow Cooker 6.0 L – SEAR
If you are in the U.S. check out our Top 5 Best Digital Slow Cookers in the U.S.
Top 5 Best Digital Slow Cookers in the U.S.
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Now for the details.
1. Morphy Richards Accents 461003 Digital Sear and Stew Slow Cooker 6.5 L – Brushed – BIG, SEAR
- Available in brushed metal finish or red, the slow cooker has a digital display panel and chrome effect buttons.
- The pot is hob proof allowing you to sear and seal the meat in the pan on the job before moving it into the slow cooker for stewing.
- Toughened glass transparent lid and lightweight non-stick aluminium cooking pot are both dishwasher safe.
- Capacity: 6.5 Litres for 6-7 servings.
- Digital Function: Countdown timer with digital display amd chrome effect buttons to set time and temperature with auto keep warm function for two hours.
- Power Settings: 3 Levels; Low, High and keep warm.
Smaller Alternative: Morphy Richards 460005 Digital Slow Cooker 3.5 L – SMALLEST
2. Andrew James Premium Digital Red Slow Cooker 5.0 L
- You can see the resemblance between this and the Morphy Richards Accents Digital Sear and Seal above. Apart from the size which translate to its capacity, the real difference is that it uses a ceramic pot instead of aluminium. This means no searing or direct heating with the removable stoneware.
- The removable ceramic bowl and tempered glass lid are both dishwasher safe.
- Capacity: 5.0 Litres for 5 servings. A bigger 6.5 L version is also available, see link below.
- Digital Function: Countdown timer with digital display lets you set and program cooking time as well as delay timer of up to 12 hours. Chrome effect buttons to set time and temperature with auto keep warm function at the end of the cooking time.
- Power Settings: 3 Levels; Low, High and keep warm
Bigger Alternative: Andrew James Premium Digital Red Slow Cooker 6.5 L – BIG
3. Crock-Pot Digital Slow Cooker 5.7 L – NEW GENERATION
- The latest next generation digital Crock-Pot slow cooker.
- Capacity: 5.7 Litres for 5-6 servings
- Digital Function: Countdown timer with digital display lets you set and program cooking time from 30 minutes to 20 hours, soft touch buttons to set time and temperature with auto keep warm function at the end of the cooking time. The digital timer will then count up to show you how long the slow cooker has been on Warm for up to 6 hours.
- Power Settings: 3 Levels; Low, High and keep warm
Alternative: Crock-Pot Saute Countdown Slow Cooker 5.7 L Silver – SEAR
- The Saute Pot is made from stoneware material that can be placed on any form of direct heat be it gas fire or electric hob. The thermal shock resistant pot also meant that you can move it from the fridge or freezer to the oven or cooker to reheat without worrying about the stoneware cracking – VERSATILE
- The pot also features a stick-resistant coating to reduce burn-on food and for easy cleaning. Both removable pot and lid are dishwasher safe. The lid is made from the same stoneware material. This is the only lid in the line-up which is not glass and therefore not transparent.
- Capacity: 5.7 Litres for 5-6 servings
- Digital Function: Countdown timer with digital display for up to 20 hours cooking program and dual dials to set time and temperature with auto keep warm function.
- Power Settings: 3 Levels; Low, High and keep warm
- A newer model, while more expensive is also available, the Crock-Pot Digital Saute Slow Cooker is listed at the bottom of this article.
4. Crock-Pot Digital Countdown Slow Cooker 4.7 L Gloss Black
- The most affordable digital Crock-Pot slow cooker with soft touch buttons and digital display in a stylish piano black finish.
- Removable dishwasher safe stoneware cooking pot with rinse-clean coating (a non-stick coating that reduces burnt-on food). Glass lid lets you see the food while it is cooking and is dishwasher safe.
- Capacity: 4.7 Litres for 4-5 servings
- Digital Function: Countdown timer with digital display lets you set and program cooking time from 30 minutes to 20 hours, soft touch buttons to set time and temperature with auto keep warm function.
- Power Settings: 3 Levels; Low, High and keep warm
5. VonShef Automatic Electric Digital Slow Cooker 6.5 L Stainless Steel – BIG
- Removable Dishwasher safe ceramic cooking pot with a generous capacity of 6.5 Litres. Sturdy and transparent toughened glass lid that lets you monitor your food during cooking. Stainless steel body.
- Capacity: 6.5 Litres for 6-7 servings
- Digital Function: Countdown timer with digital display, soft touch buttons to set time and temperature with auto keep warm function.
- Power Settings: 3 Levels; Low, High and keep warm
and one more…
Crock-Pot Digital Saute Slow Cooker 6.0 L – SEAR
Here is a new model for the Crock-Pot Sauté Countdown Slow Cooker listed above. Instead of ceramic stoneware, the Crock-Pot Digital Saute Slow Cooker uses a die-cast aluminium pot. The black ceramic lid has also been replaced with a see through glass lid. While it still uses dials for controls, access to these are much easier with its own dedicated seated panel.
- Sear and brown your meat in the same cookware, a die-cast aluminium non-stick bowl before putting it on the slow cooker to seal in the natural flavour and making the meat more succulent and flavoursome.
- See through glass lid to let you check on the food without opening and letting the heat escape
- The removable Saute bowl can be used in the oven, under the grill, on the hob, in the fridge or freezer and when you are done, put it in the dishwasher – VERSATILE
- Capacity: 6 Litres for 6-7 servings
- Digital Function: Countdown timer with digital display, dials to set time and temperature with auto keep warm function.
- Power Settings: 3 Levels; 1 (low), 2(high) and keep warm
If you decide to go with one of these digital slow cookers, don’t forget to also pick up one of these slow cooker recipe books:
