Some of the best things in a Mexican kitchen are made by leaving meat alone. Barbacoa wrapped and steamed until it pulls apart, pork shoulder for carnitas-style tacos, a pot of pozole, beans simmering in their own broth: all of them want low, steady heat for hours and very little attention. A slow cooker is the home appliance built for exactly that, and it frees the stove for the rice, the salsa and the tortillas.
The trouble is that slow cookers look alike on a shelf and behave very differently on the counter. Some hold food just under a boil, some run hot, some have crocks you can put on a burner, and only a few can track the temperature of the meat itself. This guide compares nine of them using what each maker states, the Amazon listings and the slow cooker reviews from America’s Test Kitchen, and explains which features matter for big Mexican braises.
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Quick verdict: which slow cooker to buy
For most kitchens, the best slow cooker is the Hamilton Beach Temp Tracker 6-Quart: America’s Test Kitchen named it its best traditional slow cooker, it has a built-in temperature probe, and it switches to warm or holds a set temperature when the food is done. For potlucks and carrying a pot of barbacoa across town, choose the Crock-Pot 7-Quart Cook & Carry with its locking lid. If you want to brown meat in the same insert, the All-Clad 7-Quart has a cast aluminum insert that goes on the stovetop. Feeding a crowd, the Hamilton Beach Stay or Go 10-Quart; cooking for two to four, the Hamilton Beach Set & Forget 4-Quart.
If you are still deciding between a slow cooker and a heavy pot in a low oven, our guide to the best Dutch oven covers the stovetop route.
Five slow cookers side by side
Our five standout picks, one for each kind of cook, with the capacity, insert and controls each maker or listing states. All nine slow cookers are reviewed in full below.
| Slow cooker | Best for | Capacity and insert | Controls and extras | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hamilton Beach Temp Tracker 6-Quart Slow CookerBest overall
|
Most kitchens, big cuts cooked to temperature | 6 quarts, stoneware crock | Programmable, probe, auto warm, lid lock | View on Amazon |
Crock-Pot 7-Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow CookerBest for potlucks
|
Carrying a full pot to a party | 7 quarts, stoneware oven-safe to 400°F | Timer to 20 hours, auto warm, locking lid | View on Amazon |
All-Clad 7-Quart Slow Cooker with Aluminum InsertBest for browning
|
Searing meat in the insert first | 7 quarts, ceramic-coated cast aluminum | Low, High, High/Low; 6-hour keep warm | View on Amazon |
Hamilton Beach Stay or Go 10-Quart Slow CookerBest for a crowd
|
Twelve or more people | 10 quarts, stoneware crock | Dial: Low, High, Warm; lid clips | View on Amazon |
| Two to four people, smaller budget | 4 quarts, stoneware crock | 15 time and heat programs, auto warm | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Capacities and features are as stated by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best slow cooker
These nine slow cookers cover the ways home cooks use one: a programmable 6- to 7-quart model for weekly braises, a locking-lid model for parties, an insert that can brown meat on a burner, multicookers that sear in their own base, and sizes from 2 quarts for a pot of queso to 10 quarts for a family gathering. Each pick explains who it suits and one honest reason to skip it.
1. Hamilton Beach Temp Tracker 6-Quart Slow Cooker – Cooks Meat to a Set Temperature
This is the slow cooker America’s Test Kitchen named its best traditional model, rating it Highly Recommended and writing that “every dish we made in this slow cooker emerged deeply flavorful and perfectly cooked.” It is a 6-quart oval with a stoneware crock and a glass lid, which Hamilton Beach says fits a 6-pound chicken or a 4-pound roast.
What sets it apart is the probe. Push it into the thickest piece of pork shoulder or beef chuck, set the target, and the display toggles between the target and the meat’s current temperature; when the meat gets there, the cooker drops to keep warm or holds the temperature you chose. Without the probe it works like any programmable cooker, on Low, Medium or High with a countdown timer. The listing adds a hold-temperature function for gentle jobs such as simmering, poaching, yogurt and fondue.
For barbacoa or carnitas-style pork, the probe takes guesswork out of a long cook, and you can check progress without lifting the lid. The clip-tight lid helps if you carry the pot to a party. The crock is ceramic, so brown meat in a skillet first; ATK notes that ceramic crocks cannot be used for browning.
Why we like it
- ATK’s best traditional slow cooker, Highly Recommended
- Built-in probe shows the meat’s temperature as it cooks
- Switches to warm or holds a set temperature when done
- Low, Medium and High settings with a countdown timer
- Lid locks for carrying
Key specifications
| Model | 33866 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 6 quarts (fits a 6 lb chicken or 4 lb roast) |
| Insert | Stoneware crock, dishwasher safe |
| Stovetop-safe insert | No (ceramic) |
| Controls | Programmable: Low, Medium, High, with or without probe |
| Keep warm | Automatic, or holds the selected temperature |
| Probe | Yes, integrated |
| Locking lid | Yes |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you slow-cook big cuts often and want them done to temperature rather than by the clock, or if you want the model with the strongest independent review behind it.
Skip it if you want to brown meat in the same insert; the crock is ceramic, so you will need a separate skillet.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Strong ATK review
- Probe and hold-temperature modes
- Glass lid lets you check without lifting
- Dishwasher-safe crock and lid
Cons
- Cannot brown in the crock
- Stoneware is heavy to lift when full
- Probe cord needs routing under the lid
2. Crock-Pot 7-Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker – Locks Shut for the Drive
A pot of barbacoa or chile verde is usually headed somewhere: a birthday, a church supper, a tailgate. Crock-Pot’s Cook & Carry line is built for that trip. The lid locks down with a tight seal that, according to Crock-Pot, prevents leaks and spills, so you can drive with the pot on the floor of the car.
At 7 quarts, Crock-Pot says it feeds nine or more people. The programmable control runs from 30 minutes to 20 hours with a digital countdown, then shifts to Auto-Warm so the food stays at serving temperature until people are ready to eat. The listing also mentions four preset settings on the touch panel.
The removable stoneware is oven-safe up to 400°F, so a dish can be finished in the oven, and both the stoneware and lid go in the dishwasher. There is no probe, so time your cooks by the recipe and check doneness with a separate thermometer. Crock-Pot says the glazes on its stoneware meet or exceed FDA requirements, including those on lead; we found no explicit lead-free statement from the maker.
Why we like it
- Locking lid with a tight seal for travel
- Programmable from 30 minutes to 20 hours
- Switches to Auto-Warm when the time ends
- Stoneware oven-safe to 400°F
- Stoneware and lid are dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | 2193800 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 7 quarts (feeds 9+, per Crock-Pot) |
| Insert | Removable stoneware, oven-safe to 400°F |
| Stovetop-safe insert | Not stated |
| Controls | Programmable touch control, 30 min to 20 hours, 4 presets |
| Keep warm | Automatic (Auto-Warm) |
| Probe | No |
| Locking lid | Yes, with seal |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you cook for gatherings and need a big pot that travels without spilling, with a timer that hands over to warm on its own.
Skip it if you want a probe or an independent review behind your choice; this model was not in the ATK slow cooker review we read.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Travel-proof lid
- Large 7-quart crock
- Long 20-hour timer
Cons
- No probe
- Cannot brown in the stoneware
- Not independently reviewed in our sources
3. All-Clad 7-Quart Slow Cooker with Aluminum Insert – Brown on the Burner, Finish Slow
Most slow cookers make you sear meat in a skillet and scrape it into the crock. All-Clad’s 7-quart cooker skips that step with a removable cast aluminum insert, coated with a ceramic nonstick, that the listing says can be used on the cooktop, in the oven or for serving. Brown chunks of chuck for barbacoa or bloom the chiles for a red pozole in the insert on a burner, then set it in the base.
The controls are simple: three slow-cooking modes (Low, High and a High/Low mode) and an automatic keep-warm function that holds food hot for six hours, shown on an LCD screen. The lid is stainless steel rather than glass, and the insert is dishwasher safe.
Metal inserts behave differently from ceramic. America’s Test Kitchen found that metal nonstick crocks cook faster than ceramic ones, so check doneness at the early end of a recipe’s range. Treat the coating gently, with wooden or silicone tools, so it lasts.
Why we like it
- Insert goes on the cooktop, in the oven and to the table
- Large 7-quart capacity
- Keeps food warm for six hours after cooking
- Dishwasher-safe insert
Key specifications
| Model | SD700350 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 7 quarts |
| Insert | Cast aluminum, ceramic nonstick coating, dishwasher safe |
| Stovetop-safe insert | Yes (cooktop and oven, per listing) |
| Controls | Programmable LCD: Low, High, High/Low |
| Keep warm | Automatic, up to 6 hours |
| Probe | No |
| Locking lid | No (stainless steel lid) |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you always brown meat before a braise and want one pot to wash instead of two.
Skip it if you would rather watch the pot through a glass lid, or prefer to avoid nonstick coatings; a stoneware model suits you better.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Sear and slow-cook in one insert
- Lighter than stoneware
- Six-hour keep warm
Cons
- Opaque lid
- Coating needs gentle tools
- Metal inserts cook faster, so check early
4. Hamilton Beach Stay or Go 10-Quart Slow Cooker – Room for a Family Gathering
When the guest list passes a dozen, a 6-quart pot is not enough. Hamilton Beach’s Stay or Go holds 10 quarts, which the maker says cooks for 12 or more people and fits a 10-pound turkey or a 12-pound roast. That is the size for a big batch of pozole, a full family’s worth of tinga or a double batch of charro beans.
It is deliberately simple. A dial chooses Low, High or Warm; there is no timer, so you switch to Warm yourself when the food is done. The lid clips to the handles to cut down on spills when you carry it, and the full-grip handles help with a heavy, full crock. The stoneware and glass lid go in the dishwasher, and Hamilton Beach gives it a one-year warranty.
Size has a catch. Clemson Cooperative Extension advises filling a slow cooker at least half and no more than two-thirds full, and cutting large roasts into smaller pieces rather than cooking them whole. A 10-quart crock works best when you really are cooking for a crowd.
Why we like it
- Extra-large 10-quart crock for 12 or more
- Lid clips to the handles for travel
- Simple three-setting dial
- Dishwasher-safe crock and glass lid
Key specifications
| Model | 33195 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 10 quarts (12+ people, per Hamilton Beach) |
| Insert | Stoneware crock, dishwasher safe |
| Stovetop-safe insert | No (ceramic) |
| Controls | Manual dial: Low, High, Warm |
| Keep warm | Manual Warm setting |
| Probe | No |
| Locking lid | Yes, clips to handles |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you regularly cook for big family meals, church events or parties and need one pot that holds it all.
Skip it if you cook for four most nights; a half-empty 10-quart crock is outside the fill level extension services recommend, and there is no timer to switch it to warm.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very large capacity
- Clip-down lid
- Nothing complicated to set
Cons
- No timer or automatic warm
- Heavy and bulky to store
- Too big for small batches
5. Hamilton Beach Set & Forget 4-Quart Slow Cooker – Right-Sized for Two to Four
A small household does not need a 7-quart crock, and a big crock with a small amount of food can scorch. America’s Test Kitchen reviewed 4-quart slow cookers separately and named this Hamilton Beach model its Best Buy, noting that it “produced tender ribs and moist chicken thighs.”
It is programmable in a simple way: choose Warm, Low or High and a cooking time of 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 hours, 15 combinations in all, and it switches to keep warm when the time is up. Hamilton Beach says it holds a 4-pound chicken or a 2-pound roast and serves four or more, which suits a weeknight pot of frijoles or a small batch of chicken tinga.
ATK found it runs hot on High and suggests using the shorter time in a recipe’s range. The stoneware crock and glass lid are dishwasher safe, and the touchpad wipes clean.
Why we like it
- ATK’s Best Buy small slow cooker
- 15 preset time and heat combinations
- Switches to keep warm automatically
- Dishwasher-safe crock and lid
Key specifications
| Model | 33443 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 4 quarts (4 lb chicken or 2 lb roast) |
| Insert | Stoneware crock, dishwasher safe |
| Stovetop-safe insert | No (ceramic) |
| Controls | Programmable: Warm, Low, High for 2–10 hours |
| Keep warm | Automatic |
| Probe | No |
| Locking lid | No |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you cook for one to four people and want automatic switch-to-warm at a modest cost.
Skip it if you want to cook any time other than the five preset lengths; you cannot set, say, seven hours.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Good ATK result for its size
- Compact on the counter
- Auto warm
Cons
- Runs hot on High, per ATK
- Only five time presets
- No lid lock
6. Crock-Pot 8-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker – Big Batches on a Timer
The 10-quart Hamilton Beach is the biggest pot here, but it has no timer. Crock-Pot’s 8-quart programmable model sits between the two: room for more than ten people, according to Crock-Pot, with a digital timer that counts down up to 20 hours and then switches to warm on its own.
That combination suits the cook who starts a batch of carnitas-style pork or beef for barbacoa before work and needs it to hold until dinner. The listing also describes a memory function that returns to the previous settings after a power outage, which matters on a long cook. The stoneware pot and lid are removable and dishwasher safe. As with the 7-quart, Crock-Pot says its crock glazes meet FDA requirements; we found no explicit lead-free statement.
Like the other stoneware models, the crock does not go on a burner, so brown in a separate pan. Clemson Cooperative Extension also warns that if the power goes out while you are away, the food should be thrown out even if it looks done, so the memory function is a convenience rather than a safety net.
Why we like it
- 8-quart crock for ten or more
- Timer up to 20 hours, then auto warm
- Remembers settings after a power interruption
- Dishwasher-safe stoneware and lid
Key specifications
| Model | SCCPVFC800-DS |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 8 quarts (10+ people, per Crock-Pot) |
| Insert | Removable stoneware, dishwasher safe |
| Stovetop-safe insert | Not stated |
| Controls | Digital timer up to 20 hours |
| Keep warm | Automatic |
| Probe | No |
| Locking lid | No |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a large pot that you can set and leave for a workday.
Skip it if you plan to carry it to parties often; there is no lid lock, so the Cook & Carry model suits travel better.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large and programmable
- Power-interruption memory
- Easy cleanup
Cons
- No locking lid
- No probe
- Takes up a lot of counter space
7. Instant Pot Superior Cooker 7.5-Quart – Sears in Its Own Base
This is not a pressure cooker. Instant’s Superior Cooker is a slow cooker that can also sauté, sear, steam and keep food warm, using the heating element in its own base. That means you can brown pork for chile verde, take it out, soften onions and garlic, then put everything back and slow-cook without a single extra pan.
The 7.5-quart inner pot is aluminum with a ceramic nonstick coating, and Instant says it is 80 percent lighter than a ceramic pot of comparable size, with a deep skillet shape that gives more cooking area than a 12-inch skillet. After the long cook you can switch back to sauté to reduce the sauce. It runs on 800 watts and includes a silicone storage lid and a steam sling.
Cleanup is easy: the coated pot, glass lid and silicone accessories go in the dishwasher. As with any metal insert, expect it to cook a little faster than stoneware and check early.
Why we like it
- Sautés and sears in the same pot
- Lightweight aluminum inner pot
- Wide, deep 7.5-quart cooking surface
- Dishwasher-safe pot, glass lid and accessories
Key specifications
| Model | 140-4040-01 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 7.5 quarts |
| Insert | Aluminum, ceramic nonstick coating |
| Stovetop-safe insert | Not stated; sears on its own base |
| Controls | Slow cook, sauté/sear, steam, warm |
| Keep warm | Yes |
| Probe | No |
| Locking lid | No (glass lid) |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a one-pot braise, browning included, and like a light insert that is easy to lift and wash.
Skip it if you want pressure cooking too; this model does not pressure-cook, so a multicooker is the better buy.
Pros and cons
Pros
- One pot from sear to serve
- Light inner pot
- Can reduce sauces after cooking
Cons
- Nonstick coating will wear over time
- Not in the slow cooker reviews we read
- No programmable probe
8. Ninja PossibleCooker PRO 8.5-Quart – Slow Cooker, Braiser and Oven Pot
Ninja’s PossibleCooker PRO is a large, rectangular multicooker with eight functions: slow cook, sear/sauté, steam, keep warm, sous vide, braise, bake and proof. It does not pressure-cook. Ninja says its heating comes from the bottom, the sides and steam together, and that the 8.5-quart pot fits a full rack of ribs or a 9-pound brisket.
The rectangular shape is the useful part for Mexican cooking. Long cuts such as a brisket for barbacoa-style beef or a rack of pork ribs lie flat, and you can sear them in the pot first. The nonstick pot is oven-safe to 500°F, so you can move it to the oven to crisp the top of shredded carnitas-style pork before serving. A glass lid and a detachable spoon-ladle come with it, with a one-year limited warranty.
It is a big appliance. Measure your counter and cupboard first, and remember that a nonstick pot needs gentle tools.
Why we like it
- Eight functions including slow cook, sear and braise
- Rectangular 8.5-quart pot for long cuts
- Pot is oven-safe to 500°F
- Glass lid and spoon-ladle included
Key specifications
| Model | MC1001 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 8.5 quarts |
| Insert | Nonstick pot, oven-safe to 500°F |
| Stovetop-safe insert | Not stated; sears on its own base |
| Controls | 8 functions: slow cook, sear/sauté, steam, warm, sous vide, braise, bake, proof |
| Keep warm | Yes |
| Probe | No |
| Locking lid | No (glass lid) |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want one large pot that slow-cooks, sears and goes into the oven, and you have room to keep it out.
Skip it if you only want a slow cooker; you are paying for functions a plain 6-quart model does not need.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fits long cuts flat
- Oven-safe pot
- Many functions in one base
Cons
- Large footprint
- Nonstick pot
- Not in the reviews we read
9. Crock-Pot 2-Quart Manual Slow Cooker – Queso, Beans and Sides
Every party has a pot that is not the main dish: chile con queso, refried beans, a warm salsa. Crock-Pot’s 2-quart manual cooker is sized for exactly that. Crock-Pot says it feeds two or more and is made for small meals, dips and sides.
It has three manual settings, High, Low and Warm, chosen with a switch, so it will not change settings on its own. The removable stoneware is oven-safe to 400°F, and the stoneware and lid go in the dishwasher. Next to a larger cooker of barbacoa, it keeps the queso or frijoles on the same table. Crock-Pot says its crock glazes meet FDA requirements; we found no explicit lead-free statement.
Use it to cook or to hold freshly cooked food, not to bring leftovers back up to temperature. Clemson Cooperative Extension says reheating leftovers in a slow cooker is not recommended; bring them to steaming on the stove or in the microwave first. Our guide to reheating Mexican leftovers covers the stovetop way.
Why we like it
- Small 2-quart size for dips and sides
- High, Low and Warm settings
- Stoneware oven-safe to 400°F
- Dishwasher-safe stoneware and lid
Key specifications
| Model | SCR200-B |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 2 quarts (2+ people) |
| Insert | Removable stoneware, oven-safe to 400°F |
| Stovetop-safe insert | Not stated |
| Controls | Manual: High, Low, Warm |
| Keep warm | Manual Warm setting |
| Probe | No |
| Locking lid | No |
Why we recommend it
Choose it as a second cooker for parties, or as the only one if you cook for one or two.
Skip it if you want it to switch to warm by itself; it is fully manual.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Small and light
- Simple controls
- Oven-safe stoneware
Cons
- No timer
- Too small for a main dish for a family
- No lid lock
How to choose a slow cooker for long Mexican braises
Start with how many people you feed and whether you will carry the pot anywhere.
1. Capacity
Six to seven quarts suits most families; ATK required a 6- to 7-quart stated capacity in its main review, and its small-cooker review notes that a 4-quart holds about four chicken thighs against eight or more in a 6-quart. Size to your usual batch, because Clemson Cooperative Extension advises filling a slow cooker at least half and no more than two-thirds full.
2. Ceramic or metal insert
Stoneware is heavy and durable and cooks gently, but it cannot go on a burner, so you brown meat in a skillet first. Metal inserts, like the All-Clad’s, can brown on the stove or in the base, but ATK found that metal nonstick crocks cook faster, so check doneness early. Enameled cast iron inserts exist too; ATK found them good but heavy and expensive, and suggests a separate Dutch oven may serve you better.
3. Programmable controls and keep warm
ATK prefers digital, programmable controls that count down and switch to warm automatically, and found that better cookers hold food just below a boil. A manual dial is fine if you are home to turn it down.
4. A probe
A temperature probe lets you check a roast without lifting the lid, which lets heat escape; Clemson notes the temperature drops 10 to 15°F each time the lid comes off. For checking the meat at the end, our guide to the best meat thermometer helps if your cooker has no probe.
5. A locking lid
If the pot travels to parties, a latching lid with a gasket keeps the liquid inside the car. ATK lists latching lids and silicone gaskets as worthwhile for transport.
6. Food safety habits
Clemson Cooperative Extension advises thawing meat before it goes in, keeping the lid on, and turning the cooker to the highest setting for the first hour when you can. It also advises against cooking large pieces such as a whole roast or chicken; cut them into smaller pieces first. Dried beans need extra care: Utah State University Extension says to boil dry beans on the stove for 10 minutes before slow cooking because a slow cooker may not get hot enough to destroy the natural toxin, and names dark red kidney and black beans as the highest in it. Kansas State University recommends a full 30-minute boil to be certain. If you are making frijoles de la olla, read our piece on charro beans and refried beans for how they differ.
How we picked these nine slow cookers
We started from America’s Test Kitchen’s two slow cooker reviews: its main review of 6- to 7-quart cookers, which named the Hamilton Beach Temp Tracker its best traditional model, and its review of 4-quart cookers, which named the Hamilton Beach Set & Forget its Best Buy. We then added models from established makers that fill specific needs, such as locking lids, stovetop-safe inserts and large capacities, using each Amazon listing for capacity, insert and controls. Every pick was in stock on Amazon when we checked, and where a listing was silent we wrote “Not stated.”
Some well-reviewed cookers are not here. ATK’s best hot-plate-style pick, the Cuisinart 6-Quart 3-in-1 Cook Central, was not available on its own on Amazon when we checked, and the KitchenAid 6-quart cooker that ATK praised in an earlier review was not sold new there. We also searched the CPSC recall database: the recalls we found cover older Hamilton Beach and Rival Crock-Pot slow cookers from 2003 to 2005, the Crock-Pot 6-Quart Express Crock multicooker (model SCCPPC600-V1) and Ninja Foodi OP300-series pressure cookers, none of which is recommended here. We have not used these cookers ourselves, and we did not read Wirecutter, Serious Eats, Consumer Reports, Good Housekeeping or The New York Times for this guide, so we do not quote them.
Slow cooker questions, answered
What slow cooker does America’s Test Kitchen recommend?
In its current review, ATK names the Hamilton Beach Temp Tracker 6 Quart (model 33866) its best traditional slow cooker, the Cuisinart 6-Quart 3-in-1 Cook Central its best hot-plate-style cooker, and the All-Clad 6-in-1 Digital Slow Cooker with an enameled cast iron pot its best Dutch oven slow cooker. In its 4-quart review, the Cuisinart 4-Quart Cook Central won and the Hamilton Beach 4-quart Set & Forget was the Best Buy.
What are the top slow cooker brands?
Hamilton Beach and Crock-Pot make the widest range of traditional stoneware cookers, from 2 to 10 quarts. Cuisinart, All-Clad, Instant and Ninja make models with metal inserts that can brown meat. Brand matters less than capacity, controls and the insert.
Is a slow cooker or a multicooker better?
If you only want to slow-cook, a dedicated slow cooker is simpler, and ATK’s multicooker review found slow cooking was the weak spot of many multicookers. If you also want to pressure-cook beans and meat quickly, a multicooker earns its space.
Can I put frozen meat in a slow cooker?
Clemson Cooperative Extension says to always defrost meat or poultry before putting it into a slow cooker. Thaw it in the refrigerator first.
Can I cook dried beans in a slow cooker?
Yes, after a stovetop boil. Utah State University Extension advises boiling dry beans for 10 minutes first, and Kansas State University recommends 30 minutes for red kidney beans to be certain. Canned beans can go straight in.
Our final pick for the best slow cooker
Buy the Hamilton Beach Temp Tracker if you want one slow cooker that does almost everything well and cooks big cuts to a set temperature. Choose the Crock-Pot Cook & Carry if your pot travels, the All-Clad if you always brown first, the Hamilton Beach Stay or Go for big gatherings and the Set & Forget 4-Quart for a small household.
More countertop cookers we’ve covered: pressure cookers, rice cookers, sous vide circulators, air fryers, deep fryers, electric skillets.
On a budget? See our guide to the best affordable slow cookers.
Related guide: Best slow cooker with browning function.
Related guide: Best slow cooker cookbook.
Related guide: Best crock pot.
Related guide: Slow cooker alternative.
To understand the dish most people buy a slow cooker for, read what barbacoa is and how it is made, and for the sides that go with it, see why rice and beans come with everything. And if you would rather someone else spent the hours, see our menu or call to order.