If you know me at all you know I like to keep my countertops clutter-free, but on the other hand I need to have the tools I use frequently at hand to optimise efficiency. So, my best bet is to try and strike a balance. You're in Charge: As well as automatic settings, the Manual function puts you in control, with a programmable countdown timer and High/Low cook settings When we tested its slow cooking mode we found that it's almost too good at retaining moisture. Recipes that came out more saucy in some slow cookers were a little less rich because it's also designed to be an airtight pressure cooker. That can be remedied though by adding less liquid or taking into account the liquid that will come out of meat and veggies when you add them. Does your slow cooker have good heat distribution? Some can suffer from hot spots that cause drying out in corners or at the base. Uneven heat is something that’s more likely to occur in larger bowls.

High and low temperature settings give you versatility over your timings, while the keep warm function means seconds can be served up straight away and latecomers don’t have to miss out. The first thing you need to consider with any slow cooker is its capacity – each will list its bowl size in litres. Bear in mind that this won’t translate to the same amount of food, as you shouldn’t fill slow cookers to the brim. This gap allows your food to bubble and simmer properly. The usable cooking space will be around three-quarters of its bowl size, for example, a five-litre cooker can accommodate around four litres of food. Next, I used the slow cooker to make rice pudding. After greasing the bowl I added rice, sugar, butter and milk and set to cook on high heat. After three hours, the rice pudding was perfectly cooked: the rice was tender, the sauce was rich and creamy, and there were no burnt bits or dry rice grains. The creamy rice pudding was at a hot, but not scalding, serving temperature, and the whole process had been entirely fuss-free compared to making it on the hob. Fewer items to wash up, tastier slow-cooked stews, curries and soups, and a puddle-free worktop – what more could you ask for?

Should I Buy The Crock-Pot CSC026?

Oven-safe, dishwasher-safe stoneware plus tempered glass lid with cool touch handles; 5.6 L capacity is ideal for large families Slow Cooking Perfection: slow, gentle heat produces delicious meals with minimal effort; ideal for soups, stews and meat joints, as well as puddings, cakes and more Slow cookers have got so much going for them, it’s hard not to love them. Not only will a good one save you time and effort in the kitchen, it’ll save you money too. Slow cookers transform cheaper cuts of meat into tender dishes and liven up economical healthy pulses, like lentils, beans and peas. Plus, while they can be on all day, it’s at such a low wattage that it will only cost pennies. You can place the cooking pot in the dishwasher or wash by hand fairly easily. The Ninja Foodi Multi-Cooker also has a basket insert and can be used to air fry other treats when not in use as a slow cooker. Is this the future of slow cooking? We think so. The advantage of this is not leaving all that lovely seared flavour behind in a pan, and it reduces washing-up. Finally, look for a slow cooker with a transparent lid, so you can keep an eye on your food’s progress. Lifting the lid of a slow cooker while it’s in use lets out heat and steam, prolonging cooking time. It’s always best to be able to see what’s going on without doing so. Are slow cookers easy to clean?

The CSC026 comes in any colour you want, as long as it’s gloss white – but that’s OK with us as it’s a great looking slow cooker. The front of the slow cooker is home to a large control panel that contains a digital display and buttons to control cooking time and temperature. Slow cooking couldn’t be easier for busy families – offering fuss-free, hands-off, one-pot meals. Simply chop up, drop in and turn on for beautifully cooked food ready when you are. Soups and stews, curries and casseroles, pot roasts and pasta bakes – even perfectly cooked rice can be made in a slow cooker while you get on with other things. Slow cooking couldn’t be easier for time-pressed families – offering fuss-free, hands-off, one-pot meals. Simply chop up, drop in and turn on for beautifully cooked food ready when you are. Soups and stews, curries and casseroles, pot roasts and pasta bakes – even perfectly cooked rice can be made in a slow cooker while you get on with other things.If you need help selecting your own slow cooker model, I provide a video lesson free of charge to help you do so. Just go here, and select the free option. In an ideal world, a slow cooker at this price point would also have a timer and automatic switch to keep warm rather than relying on manual controls. However, what you do get for your money is excellent build quality, perfectly controlled heat, and a design that makes cooking super-easy. I started by making bolognese sauce, first searing the meat on the hob. Despite the dish claiming to be compatible with induction cookers, it wouldn’t work on my hob, possibly a result of the ferrous plate of the dish being too small. Those with older hobs that require a certain diameter of pan may struggle to use it.

The main reason I upgraded to this model was that my older one was a little worse for wear after using it countless, countless times, and I wanted to opt for a non-toxic material when it came to the pot itself. Aesthetics & build I have a NEFF induction hob and was very worried that I wouldn't be able to use the sauté function, having read a review posted by another NEFF induction hob owner. Happy to say that mine works perfectly. And if it does lose the induction connection occasionally, I just give it a little shake and the connection resumes. The Ninja Foodi Multi-Cooker is certainly mighty, but if you like your gadgets it could be a great investment. You can of course just use this multi-cooker as a slow cooker, for which it has a generous 6 litre capacity, but you can also take advantage of the sear setting to brown meat and veggies before slow cooking for a more rich flavour. The lid is made of glass and has a small steam hole. This is a neat little touch as it prevents the lid from rattling like we’ve seen in some cheaper slow cookers. We’re starting to see a little grime build up between the handle and the lid, but the handle is removable with a couple of screws and easily cleaned. Basic slow cookers won’t get hot enough to sauté meat or vegetables, so you’ll need to do this in a pan before transferring the contents to the bowl. However, more expensive models offer a different one-pot solution. This can either be bowls that you use on your hob or in your oven in place of a pan (some will even be induction compatible). They will need to be moved to the slow cooker base. Machines with a sauté function for high-heat browning can simply be switched to slow cooking.

Design of the Crock-Pot DuraCeramic CSC026

What’s more, the unique hinged lid means no condensation on your worktop, no lost lids, and even makes serving easier too! Features and Benefits The CSC026 has three settings – high, low and warm. We filled it with two litres of water then tested each of the settings in turn. Refitting the lid to the base and lowering it created a secure seal around the rim. As the contents cooked, there was noticeably less smell of bolognese in the air than other machines tend to produce. So while you won’t be coming home to a house full of intense cooking smells, it’s likely to make for more tender, moist meals.