The Hamilton Beach Portable 6-Quart Slow Cooker is one of the best if you are looking to stay on a budget. This programmable slow cooker has three different settings - program, manual and probe - which gives you many options when using the appliance.

The 6-quart slow cooker is very popular, and with good reason - it can feed a crowd and leave you with leftovers for the week. That's every chef's dream! This model is ideal for roasts and large-batch recipes.

Slow cookers range in capacity, from a compact 1.5 litres up to 7 litres. As a general guide, a 1.5 to 2.3-litre capacity is great for two people, a larger 4 to 4.5 litres will feed four, and 5.5 to 7 litres is ideal for four to six people. This will come in handy if you're out for the day.

These appliances allow for hands-off cooking and excel at cooking budget-friendly foods such as tough cuts of meat, dried beans, stews, braises, curries, and soups. Home cooks use slow cookers to: Cook food unattended. Easy, safe unattended cooking is the main reason people use a slow cooker.

For a time, the brand was owned by NACCO Industries. The original company continues as the Hamilton Beach side of Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc. Since the 2000s, all of Hamilton Beach's appliances have been manufactured by subcontractors in China.

Best Overall Slow Cooker: Cuisinart Cook Central 4-in-1 Multi-Cooker, 7 Qt. This option from Cuisinart reached a steady, low, heat within an hour (hovering around 185°F) and maintained that temperature for 6 hours.

7+ people A 6 quart capacity feeds 7+ people and is great for feeding a family, or meal prepping for the upcoming week. With programmed cooking times up to 20 hours, High or Low cook settings, and a Keep Warm function, this convenient appliance does all the work while you're out.

We have two large crock pots - 6 and 7 quarts. One crock pot will hold 3–5 pounds of meat but you may add other liquids and vegetables. I recommend starting with your largest pot and fill it level with the top groove in that pot.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, a slow cooker is one of the most energy efficient kitchen appliances. On average, a slow cooker draws about the same amount of energy as a standard electric light bulb. This means that despite being on for a longer period of time, a slow cooker actually uses very little energy.

Most slow cooker meals take 8-12 hours on low or 4-6 hours on high, but there are also recipes for slow-cooked meat that take up to 24 hours. If you want to avoid overcooking your dish, follow the given guidelines as closely as possible.

Choose the right cut: Chuck roasts, short ribs, pork shoulders and lamb shanks (think fatty and tougher meats) become meltingly tender with the moist, low heat of a slow cooker. Leaner cuts like pork tenderloin tend to dry out.

For a time, the brand was owned by NACCO Industries. The original company continues as the Hamilton Beach side of Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc. Since the 2000s, all of Hamilton Beach's appliances have been manufactured by subcontractors in China.

The Hamilton Beach Manufacturing Company was founded in 1910 and began to produce universal motor-driven appliances, including the now iconic Drink Mixer. Hamilton Beach's product line expanded to include food mixers, juice extractors, fans, floor polishers, meat grinders, and even jewelers' motors.

The Hamilton Beach is the only model to earn an Excellent rating in our high-setting tests; it's the fastest in its category. Program this cooker for up to 24 hours; the auto-warm option lasts for 24 hours, too.

This multi cooker has a 6-quart capacity that feeds 7+ people, making it perfect for preparing family meals, or feeding a crowd. After you're finished cooking, the removable nonstick cooking pot can go right into the dishwasher for quick and easy cleanup.

Whether your household includes three or four people, or you're a couple who actually loves leftovers, a 5-quart slow cooker is an ideal size for you.