Slow cooking is said to release the most flavor out of food. But as the name itself, it requires patience and lots of waiting, which not all of us can allot frequently. More so, letting food cook slowly with the stove open for long hours is risky and may cause fire accidents, especially if you cannot attend to it. After all, it would be cumbersome to sit beside the stove for 8 hours to wait for the brisket to cook, right? All of these birthed the invention of the slow cooker.
A slow cooker is an appliance that is meant to do the slow cooking process minus the fire hazard, effort, hassles, and risks that come with slow cooking. It is electric so you do not need to leave it on the stove for long hours. It releases you of the worry of burning or fire. Meanwhile, a slow cooker also comes with temperature control settings so you can be sure that the temperature will be consistent throughout the cooking process.
And then there comes a programmable slow cooker. This development in the slow cooker technology allows you to set the temperature setting and cooking time so you can just leave it cooking while you attend to your other tasks. This spares you of the effort of peeking at the stove to see if it runs out of water or if it is burning. Since it automatically shuts off after the cooking time has lapsed, you will also not worry about forgetting to turn it off.
With its programmable capability, you can already start cooking as you hit the sack. Some slow cooker models also come with a delay function so you can precisely time the cooking and the output in time for your meals or as the guests arrive.
Fit to the times, a smart slow cooker can be hooked to your smart home system so the appliance will be more convenient to control. Another perspective of smart slow cooking is that your slow cooker can now set the right temperature setting and cooking time based on your ingredients (weight, type, etc.) or dish type (steak, stew, etc.).
Are you looking for a small slow cooker that is enough for your needs? Serve your family with the most flavorful and tender slow cooker meals. We rounded up 3 of the best smart slow cookers available on Amazon. See what products made it to our list.
Best Smart Slow Cooker for Modern Kitchens – (Comparison)
| Name | Key Feature | |
| Crock-Pot 6-Quart WeMo-Enabled Smart Slow Cooker – (Editor’s Choice) | Remote control capability via WeMo app and Wi-Fi connection | Check Price |
| All-Clad SD700450 Programmable Oval-Shaped Slow Cooker | Two temperature modes – high and low; high setting at 2-8 hours and low setting at 4-20 hours | Check Price |
| Breville BPR700BSS Fast Slow Pro Slow Cooker | Can pressure cook and slow cook | Check Price |
Crock-Pot 6-Quart WeMo-Enabled Smart Slow Cooker – Editor’s Choice
This slow cooker is integrated with smart functionality that allows you to control and adjust its settings remotely and using your mobile phone or tablet. This makes it more convenient for you to use your slow cooker and monitor your cooking even you are not in the kitchen. And then of course, as the maker of the original slow cooker appliance, it remains true to the technology that will bring the most flavor out of your fresh ingredients.
Crock Pot partnered with Belkin, the company that innovated the app named WeMo. WeMo allows you to control your slow cooker settings and even turn it on or off remotely. The integration increases your convenience and maximizes your use of your slow cooker to your benefit.
Through the WeMo app, you can now adjust your Crock Pot slow cooker’s temperature setting between High and Low. You can also set the cooking time and even adjust it midway or even add more on the device itself or remotely. It also comes with a Keep Warm feature that automatically turns on after the cooking time has elapsed.
Remote capabilities require a Wi-Fi connection for you to use. However, you do not need the connection for it to work. You can also adjust the same settings on the appliance itself. This slow cooker comes with buttons to adjust the temperature settings and cooking time. it also comes with the WeMo logo to indicate the smart version. It is compatible with both iOS and Android devices.
This 6 quart Crock Pot has enough capacity for families cooking for occasions or guests coming over. It is oval to accommodate a whole slab of meat to cook and serve. It also comes with a tempered transparent glass cover with a handle so you can peek through your meal without lifting the lid. The lid also comes with a nice seal at the sides that helps seal the moisture and heat inside for even cooking.
The stoneware pot is removable and is dishwasher-safe. Just make sure to cool it down first before putting it on the dishwasher. For easy storage and organization, this slow cooker comes with an integrated cord wrap.
There are tons of Crock Pot meal recipes online you can explore, therefore, you will not be short of meals to create using your slow cooker.
Pros
- Remote control capability via WeMo app and Wi-Fi connection
- Can adjust temperature settings (High and Low) and cooking time
- With app notification when the cooking time has lapsed
- With Keep Warm function
- Comes with a tempered transparent glass cover with a handle
- The stoneware pot is removable and is dishwasher-safe
- With an integrated cord wrap
Cons
- An LCD would be a great addition
Conclusion
The Crock-Pot 6-Quart WeMo-Enabled Smart Slow Cooker is a great timer saver with its smart and convenient features and functions.
All-Clad SD700450 Programmable Oval-Shaped Slow Cooker
The All Clad slow cooker might have straightforward features, but, its performance is consistent and precise with your slow-cooking needs. Its heating technology allows for consistent temperature that is evenly distributed across the pot. Plus, the programmable feature allows you to cook with less hassle and effort so you can tend to other important things as it does its job.
This 6 quart slow cooker – 6.5 quarts to be exact, can cook large-sized family meals and even enough for guests at home. This slow cooker also has adjustable cooking times for each temperature setting. On the high setting, you can cook tougher cuts from 2 to 8 hours; speed up when needed.
Meanwhile, the low setting allows you to relinquish the most flavor from your food by setting it between 4 to 20 hours. After the cooking time, it automatically shifts to Keep Warm mode, which can be set up to 6 hours. You can get slow cooker beef stew with full-bodied flavor minus the sweat. Make gourmet meals at home that can save you bucks from eating out.
You can also make slow cooker chicken with its oval-shaped, wide-capacity ceramic pot insert. The insert is also removable so cleaning is easier and also dishwasher-safe. This slow cooker also comes with a tempered glass lid with a handle that also helps retain the moisture and heat inside so that the food cooks from the inside out properly and thoroughly with all the natural flavors intact.
The All-Clad SD700450 Programmable Oval-Shaped Slow Cooker has an intuitive operation with all the buttons on the clear view. This slow cooker also comes with an LCD panel that displays the current setting and the time left before the cooking process ends.
Pros
- Comes with a 6.5-quarts, heavy-duty, oval-shaped, ceramic pot insert with a tempered glass lid
- Two temperature modes – high and low; high setting at 2-8 hours and low setting at 4-20 hours
- Keep Warm up to 6 hours
- The ceramic pot is removable and is dishwasher-safe
- Comes with a control panel with small push buttons and an LCD panel that displays the current setting and the cooking time left
Cons
- Some users are looking for locking handles
Conclusion
The All-Clad SD700450 Programmable Oval-Shaped Slow Cooker is reliable and consistent with its results. No hot spots and the ceramic insert is heavy so it feels premium and durable – something that will last repeated use.
Breville BPR700BSS Fast Slow Pro Slow Cooker
If you want a slow cooker that is more versatile when it comes to functions, then the Breville pressure cooker is worth considering. It performs different pressure-based cooking methods that allow you to work on different dishes aside from meats. You can also hasten the cooking process, or stick with its slow cooking feature.
The Breville BPR700BSS Fast Slow Pro Slow Cooker comes with a total of 11 pressure cooking modes with a Custom setting that makes it easier for you to cook your dishes – with just a press of a button. There is a designated setting for vegetables, rice, risotto, soup, stock, beans, poultry, meat, bone-in meat, chili and stew, and dessert. The Custom setting allows you to save the setting of your tried and tested recipe or any favorite dish for easy access later on.
You have the option to choose either Pressure Cook or Slow Cook setting, with each of the 11 cooking modes still functional for both. The Pressure Cook comes with precise cooking pressures between Low, Medium, and High – a total of 8 pressure levels from 1.5 to 12 PSI.
By the way, this fast/slow cooker is equipped with dual sensors at the top and bottom that monitor the ingredients and set the pressure and temperature depending on your chosen mode. After the cooking time, the hands-free steam release activates and automatically sets its release behavior to what will not compromise the flavor profile of the food. It decides between doing Quick, Pulse, or Natural release.
The hands-free steam release is especially designed for convenience and safety. This slow cooker utilizes a 3-way safety system that includes the steam release, the locking lid, and the safety valve.
Meanwhile, the Slow Cook mode allows you to choose between the High and Low settings. You can also set the time from 2 to 12 hours. After the cooking time, this slow cooker automatically shifts to Keep Warm mode. You can whip up the most flavorful slow cooker chili and keep it warm for the whole family on winter nights. Or, you can serve your guests fork-tender slow cooker brisket that is at par with restaurants in terms of quality and taste.
Another feature that I love about the Breville BPR700BSS Fast Slow Pro Slow Cooker is its interactive LCD screen. It displays the current settings and informs you of the activity – whether it is on pressurizing, cooking, or steam releasing step. It also allows you to see the current pressure level and the remaining cooking time.
This slow cooker comes with a removable ceramic-coated pot, a removable and dishwasher-safe lid, accessories that include a steamer basket, a stainless rack, and a recipe book.
Pros
- Comes with 11 pressure cooking modes with a Custom setting
- Comes with dual sensors at the top and bottom that monitor the ingredients and set the pressure (Quick, Pulse, Natural) and temperature depending on the mode
- Comes with a 3-way safety system: safety valve, locking lid, and hands-free steam release
- Pressure Cook: Low, Medium, High settings with 8 pressure levels from 1.5 to 12 PSI
- Slow Cook: High and Low settings, from 2 to 12 hours
- Keep Warm mode
- With interactive LCD screen
- Comes with accessories: steamer basket, a stainless rack, and a recipe book
- With a removable ceramic-coated pot and a removable and dishwasher-safe lid
Cons
- Some users prefer push buttons instead of knobs for the control
Conclusion
If you prefer something more versatile, the Breville BPR700BSS Fast Slow Pro Slow Cooker is an excellent choice.
Final Verdict
Considering the aspect of “smartness”, then the best slow cooker for me on this list is the Crock-Pot 6-Quart WeMo-Enabled Smart Slow Cooker.
The Crock-Pot 6-Quart WeMo-Enabled Smart Slow Cooker remains at the forefront, performance, and technology-wise. The remote-control capability using your tablet or smartphone makes it a true smart slow cooker that elevates itself as a kitchen appliance.