The earliest model of an electric slow cooker was designed in the early seventies. 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.

A well-designed programmable cooker should have a clear display LED control panel on the outer unit. It should also have several cooking settings. Other features to look for include an automatic cut off mechanism, tight fitting lid to keep the steam in when cooking, sturdy and heat resistant handles, and dishwasher safe.

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 day 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 like pot roasts, 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.

Top Rated Slow Cookers:

All-Clad 99005 7-quart Slow Cooker costs $275, and is the most expensive of all cookers. It has a stove compatible pan made from cast aluminum that can be used for sealing poorer cuts of meat prior to adding to the cooker to cook. The pan insert is small and any browning needs to be done in small amounts. It does save on the washing up. The All-Clad has features, such automatic program timers.

The All-Clad 6.5-quart Slow Cooker has a ceramic insert and costs $200. It has all the basic features of reliable programmable slow cooker. But its best features are a clear lid, digital timer, and its ability to be programmed 26 hours in advance to switch on and cook. It has excellent results when tested for slow cooking. Reviewers like its prominent digital display, and stylish design.

The Kitchen Aid 7 Quart Slow Cooker is $130.00 and is much bigger than most other cookers. Its unique feature is that the programmable slow cooker cooks on high for the first two hours, then it shifts to low, for the rest of the cooking duration. Reviewers like the rectangular shape of the insert for easier pouring, the sleek table top design, variety of colors and capacity markings in the insert for high liquid cooking.

Deciding on the best programmable slow cooker for your needs can be a difficult task. If you're unsure of what to get, you really can't do better than a Cuisinart slow cooker.

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