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A slow cooker is a resourceful cook’s best friend. A little work the night before or in the morning will pay off by lunchtime. Slow cooker recipes are the pinnacle of “set it and forget it” and save time and space in the kitchen. While traditional slow cookers, pressure cookers, and instant pots are great for use by multiple people, mini slow cookers are great for small families. The best mini slow cookers are also perfect for layering taco sauce, tortilla chips, and your favorite chili recipes.
But not all mini-slow cookers are created equal. To determine which ones are right for your kitchen, we tested 21 multicooker models and compared features such as size and capacity, additional features, and ease of cleanup. According to our tests, this is the best mini multicooker.
Our top pick impressed us in many ways, and we love its ease of use. No confusing dials or controls – just one setting. The trade-off, of course, is that when it comes to slow cooker recipes that require certain settings or timing, some translation is required.
Our tests show that this mini slow cooker reliably keeps food warm for a long time without burning. Our immersion tests showed no cracks or peeling. It weighs less than five pounds, making it a great tool to take to tailgates or parties. We also love how easy it is to clean: everything is dishwasher safe, and the clay pot itself has a very smooth finish, making it easy to clean.
Another option with a capacity of only 1.5 liters: the Brentwood multicooker, small but mighty. We didn’t expect the mini-stove to generate much power, but this little stove gets just as hot as a full-size stove. And it weighs only 5 pounds, making it an easy option for travel. We were surprised to find that it stayed warm for two hours without burning food in our immersion tests.
We noticed that the outside of the pan became very hot, especially the exposed parts of the pan itself, so handle it with care. We were also impressed by how durable the cookware was, especially the slow cooker. Overall, this is a great value.
Capacity: 2 liters | Weight: 5 lbs | Dimensions: 9 x 9 x 6.8 inches | Settings: high, low, warm and off.
This slow cooker features precise time and temperature controls, steam and sauté settings, and a steaming rack. It’s a little larger than other mini models, but its size combined with all the convenient features makes it perfect for meal prep or a busy household. If you regularly cook for only one or two people, this may be too much, especially if you have limited storage space.
Test results found the cookware to be easy to use, delivering perfect cooking results without unevenness or burning every time. Customizable settings make it easy to create a variety of recipes. We also love how easy it is to clean: everything is dishwasher safe, and the inside of the tub has a non-stick coating, making it quick and easy to clean off dried-on debris. Be sure to only use safe non-stick materials, such as silicone spatulas, to avoid scratches.
Capacity: 4 liters | Weight: 9.5 lbs | Dimensions: 10.5 x 16.5 x 8.7 inches | Settings: Slow Cook, Fry/Sauté, Start/Stop, Steam, Temperature, Time.
This decorated cookware with a removable inner pan is perfect for celebrations such as potlucks, dinner parties and on-the-go parties. It can be placed in the oven or used as a serving container. Traveling with this model is easy thanks to convenient side handles and a locking lid for safe transport. During cooking you can choose between High, Low and Hot modes.
The shape may seem a little awkward since it is an oval and not a circle. When stored, it takes up more space, especially as the length of the handle increases.
Capacity: 2.5 liters | Weight: 8.2 lbs | Dimensions: 7.3 x 13.4 x 13.5 inches | Settings: High, Low, Warm, Off
The Instant Pot 3-Quart Duo 7-in-1 is more than just a slow cooker, it can do it all. You get the classic functionality of a slow cooker, signature InstaPot pressure cooker settings, and additional options for cooking rice, making yogurt, steaming, sautéing, and keeping food warm. This compact option can replace multiple countertop appliances and is ideal for small spaces or those looking to simplify their appliance collection.
The downside to all these convenient features is that there is a bit of a learning curve. Figuring out all the buttons and gifts can be a little overwhelming at first.
Capacity: 3 liters | Weight: 8.65 lbs | Dimensions: 11 x 10.5 x 12 inches | Settings: Soup/Broth, Meat/Stew, Beans/Chili, Rice, Porridge, Steam, Yogurt, Pressure Cooker, Slow Cook, Sauté, Isolate. and delayed start
The Crock-Pot Mini 1.5-Quart Round Manual Slow Cooker is our favorite because its controls are easy to use and easy to clean. As an affordable option, we were impressed with the capabilities of the Brentwood 1.5-quart slow cooker, despite its small size and price.
We tested 21 different models to find the best mini slow cooker. When testing, we took into account setup and use, size, performance, included features and design, and overall value. To determine how each mini slow cooker works, we first made a sauce (like spinach and artichokes or queso) and kept the sauce on low heat for two hours. After two hours, we recorded whether the dip began to burn or crack.
We also incorporated the mini slow cooker into our regular cooking routine, using the high, low, and keep warm settings throughout our testing. We focus on what other settings and features are available and how easy and intuitive they are to use.
If the slow cooker is dishwasher safe, we regularly clean the pot in the dishwasher according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If the pan is not dishwasher safe, we will hand wash it following the manufacturer’s instructions.
When purchasing a mini multicooker, it is clear that it will be much smaller than the standard one. But even in the world of mini breeds, there are several sizes. You will typically find mini cookers that range from 1 to 3 quarts. Which size is best depends on your needs and what you typically like to cook. The 1 or 1.5 liter models are great for solo eaters who don’t typically prepare large portions of food or anything with a lot of liquid. If you like leftovers or recipes that use more liquid, about 2.5 or 3 quarts of liquid is best.
Various features can be either very useful or completely unnecessary, depending on what you like to do. The simplest cookware usually has a knob or dial and just a few settings, such as low, high, warm, and off, while other cookware has more complex displays with many different settings, such as an Instant Pot. Duo. As you shop, look for additional features and settings to see if they match what you typically like to eat.
Most slow cookers have a removable pan that is easy to clean, and many pots and lids are dishwasher safe. Be sure to check the box or manufacturer’s information for specific cleaning instructions. Depending on how serious you are about cleaning, purchasing a dishwasher-safe model may be your best choice.
Generally speaking, the smallest size you’re likely to find is around 1.5 liters, but some brands may have 1-quart sizes. At this size, an extra half liter doesn’t make much difference.
Which size is best depends on the product you are likely to produce. If you don’t usually make recipes that require dipping meat or anything else, you can go for the 1.5 liter model, but for soups for one person, 1.5 liters is usually fine. If you know you like leftovers or want to braise a chicken breast or two, 2 or 3 quarts will work better for you.
Yester Banuchian, chef, CEO and founder of CookOnMonday.com, a website that helps home cooks learn to cook, agrees that 3 quarts is a good investment. She says: “The 3-litre cooker is easier to manage than the smallest size cooker. It doesn’t hurt to have a little extra space on the stove, but it can be useful if you need to cook more food or host guests.” It’s best to leave a little extra space to prevent the bubbles from overfilling, so choose a slightly larger size.
When it comes to home appliances, pressure cookers are sometimes considered an alternative to multicookers. Instead of cooking food slowly over a long period of time, it cooks quickly over a shorter period of time. Some pressure cookers also have a multi-cooker function. If you don’t have any equipment to work with, a large saucepan with a lid or a Dutch oven on the stove will do in a pinch. However, it is generally not safe to leave the stove on all day when no one is home, whereas the slow cooker can be left alone altogether.
Some slow cooker attachments can be transferred from the stovetop to the oven, but not all. If you’re wondering what your cookware does, be sure to check the manufacturer’s manual or instructions before putting anything in the oven.
Most slow cooker meats are designed to produce a very moist and tender texture that shreds or falls off the bone easily. When it comes to tougher meats or recipes without braising liquid, it can be difficult to decide. As with any cooking method, using a meat thermometer is the best and safest way to know when meat is done.
We found this slow cooker to be easy to use and a good size, but it doesn’t have an indicator to tell you when to turn it on, which is a safety factor that shouldn’t be ignored.
We don’t necessarily have any major complaints when reviewing this slow cooker. However, it didn’t wow us enough to warrant a place on our list.
This slow cooker combines three separate pots into one, and while it’s convenient for events or parties, its size and shape can be bulky for everyday cooking that doesn’t require all three parts.
With a volume of 4 liters, this multicooker can hardly be called a mini cooker. When it comes to counter space, this model doesn’t save much.
Of the 21 multicooker models we tested, some didn’t make the cut. We’ve tested slow cookers from Hamilton Beach, Cuisinart, Elite Gourmet, and other manufacturers. Several people didn’t win because it was too hot outside, and that’s a safety issue we can’t ignore. Others heat unevenly, with high settings causing food to burn and low settings causing food to flake. Since this is a core feature, failure to achieve this category is a handicap. Others have design and construction flaws. Whether it’s materials, dial design, or lid design, some slow cookers simply don’t meet our standards.
Nick DeSimone is a writer for Food & Wine magazine. They have nearly ten years of experience in professional kitchens and are avid home cooks. Over the years, Nick has used countless slow cookers at home to cook his favorite dinner recipes, and has also used the slow cooker for cooking outside of the workplace. Nick also spoke with an expert, chef Yester Banuchyan. Chef Yester starts a food blog for home cooks to help them learn the basics and techniques of cooking.
Post time: Aug-23-2024