So you want to buy a ... Slow Cooker

RachaelRaymag.com

Before the cooler weather comes, invest in one of these multitasking winners for home-cooked meals that practically make themselves. We picked our favorites depending on what kind of cook you are.


1) FOR THE ENTERTAINER
CUISINART PSC-350 3.5-QUART SLOW COOKER, $60, cuisinart.com

UPSIDE Ideal size for soups, beans, dips, oatmeal and even cakes; LCD screen shows countdown; programmable timer; automatic keep-warm setting.
DOWNSIDE Expensive for its small capacity; hard-to-hear cooking completion signal; hard-to-read temperature indicator.

2) FOR THE FREQUENT POTLUCK ATTENDEE
HAMILTON BEACH SET 'N FORGET 6-QUART PROGRAMMABLE SLOW COOKER WITH SPOON/LID, $60, amazon.com

UPSIDE Easy-to-read LCD screen; thermometer probe for setting meat temperatures; automatic keep-warm setting; tight seal on lid, with side clips and extended handles for safe and easy transport.
DOWNSIDE Probe can be awkward to position; bulky for storage; short cord.

3) FOR THE BIG FAMILY ON A BUDGET
CROCK-POT 7-QUART SLOW COOKER, $45, crock-pot.com

UPSIDE Inexpensive for its capacity, which can feed up to 10 people and hold up to a 7-pound roast; includes travel bag.
DOWNSIDE Short cord.

4) FOR THE COLLEGE COOK
PROCTOR SILEX 4-QUART ROUND SLOW COOKER, $25, proctorsilex.com

UPSIDE Inexpensive; compact; ideal size for soups, beans, dips, oatmeal and even cakes.
DOWNSIDE No "on" indicator light; short cord.

5) FOR THE SMALL FRUGAL FAMILY
WEST BEND 4-QUART CROCKERY COOKER, $30, westbend.com

UPSIDE Inexpensive; stay-cool plastic handles for carrying; oval shape is compact, yet can fit a whole chicken.
DOWNSIDE Inner crock is not ovenproof like the other winners.

By Vivian Jao | Photography by Kang Kim

RECIPES TO TRY
Creamy Tomato-Vodka Soup »
Southwestern Bean Bake »
Turkey Meatballs in Paprika Tomato Sauce »
Hoisin Pork Roast »
Cider-Braised Pork Shoulder »
Lemon Sage Turkey with Vegetables »
Chianti-Braised Short Ribs »
Hot Fudge Sundae Cake »
Banana-Lemon Pudding Cake »

MORE LIKE THIS
All About Slow Cookers »
How to Make a Slow Cooker Dinner »

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