In a hurry, here are our top pick, editor’s choice, and best value.
Caravans prove to be a timeless option that should always be considered whenever you feel like taking some time off your hectic life.
Besides being convenient and economical, caravan holidays let you come closer to beautiful places and collect wonderful memories with your close ones.
However, just like any other type of holiday, a caravan trip requires you to pack some useful stuff. One among them is a slow cooker.
It’s one of the essentials required for every caravan trip, and thus, you should purchase one as soon as possible. Since the market has countless options available to choose the best slow cooker, it is a daunting task to select the most suitable model for you.
Today’s guide aims to provide the top ten best slow cooker options on the market. Before that, below are some useful tips to consider before making your final decision regarding the slow cooker. So, let’s dive straight into this.
Table of Contents
What to Consider While Choosing A Slow Cooker For Caravan Holidays?
A slow cooker or crock-pot, as called by many, is a boon for those who dislike staying close to a hot stove or oven to keep it from burning.
Due to its slow cooking speed, you can sit back & relax while the cooker takes care of what is inside. If you regularly cook at home or want fresh food on your caravan trips, consider buying one!
However, you can’t step out and pick any model as the same can backfire later. Use the below guide to get your hands on the perfect model:
Size
A slow cooker is available in a range of sizes, from 1.5 quarts to 18 quarts. Depending upon your desired uses of the cooker, budget, and space available, decide upon what size would suffice.
For example, a small to the medium-size slow cooker is mostly suitable for caravan trips. It has a low price tag, consumes less space, and is easy to clean.
What you will be cooking
Before buying a slow cooker, recall what dishes you intend to prepare in your caravan trip. For example, if you plan to roast meat, the best model would be different than what is best for cooking beans and veggies.
Thus, have clarity on what types of food you’ll be cooking, the quantity you aim to make, and the cooking procedure before booking a slow cooker.
Price
As mentioned initially, slow cookers are usually affordable with all basic features for effortless cooking. However, their price range can vary from $10 for a small manual model to over $100 for larger slow cookers with savvy features.
Additionally, the price is directly proportional to the size. For a caravan trip, you need not spend too much on a piece of equipment such as a slow cooker.
Any model that can be used for both indoor and outdoor cooking is a good option to go with.
Portability
Since you’re buying a slow cooker for your caravan trip, having one that’s easy (and safe) to carry is important. Besides, you have to make sure the food doesn’t spill around while handling.
For this, check whether the cooker has a lid and lockable carry handles or not. Furthermore, keep in mind how much it weighs. Is it uncomfortable to carry from the kitchen to the car?
If yes, there is no reason to enquire further about it. The slow cooker should be lightweight and portable.
Additional features
If your budget is no constraint, you should go for a tech-savvy slow cooker. Today, the high-end slow cooker models are equipped with additional features such as auto shutoff, temperature control, self-cleaning, and much more.
These features not only help save your time but let you relish your trip to the fullest. Not to forget the various cooking modes you get for a few extra bucks.
Buying a slow cooker, as you can see, is no easy task. To ensure you get your hands on the most reliable and value-for-money model, don’t forget the above-mentioned tips.
Below are discussed the top 10 slow cookers for your wonderful caravan trip:
Cuisinart PSC-350 3-1/2-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
Features highlight;
If you have a decent budget, you should go for this programmable Cuisinart slow cooker. This slow cooker is designed to have your favorite one-pot meals ready following the traditional slow cooking method.
The best part about this renowned slow cooker is its standard size that is neither too small nor too big. You can even prepare delicious desserts in the slow cooker like cookies, cakes, and much more.
The total capacity of the model is 3-1/2-quart. Additionally, you get the latest features such as a user-friendly touchpad control panel and four cooking modes – high, low, simmer, and warm.
When the set cook time ends, the cooker automatically shifts to the “warm” setting to keep the food warm until it’s served. You can either hand wash the cooker or dishwasher it.
The company provides a limited 3-years warranty on the product. If you like this product then make sure to read the full review.
Crock-Pot SCCPVL610-S-A 6-Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker
Features highlight;
- Color – Stainless Steel
- Product dimensions- 9.4 x 15.1 x 14.8 inches
- Weight – 7.92 pounds
- Capacity – 6-quarts
If you are around 7-8 people on the caravan trip, you should go for this 6-quart Crock-Pot slow cooker. Being a programmable option, you can simply apply the desired settings, and it will prepare a delicious meal following the slow cooking method.
It comes with removable stoneware, on-the-go recipes, and sturdy carry handles. Furthermore, the cooker automatically shifts to the “warm” setting to keep the food warm until it’s served after the cooking time gets over.
You can also program the cooking time from 30 minutes up to 20 hours on the high or low-temperature settings as per your dish’s requirements. It’s lightweight and durable with a decent warranty period.
Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker
Features highlight;
- Color – Black
- Product dimensions- 12.5 x 15.75 x 11.5 inches
- Weight – 15.66 pounds
- Capacity – 10-quarts
Do you want to enjoy perfectly roasted turkey on your caravan trip? If so, get this Hamilton slow cooker that has an extra-large capacity worth 10-quarts.
It easily fits a 10 pounds turkey or a 12 pounds roast. Not only that but you would enjoy using it to make bone broth.
It has three temperature settings – low, high, and warm. Select either of the first two as per your requirements and shift to “warm” when the cooking is nearly done and to keep the food hot before serving.
If you are worried about accidental spills on your way to the tailgate or potluck, its clip-tight sealed lid has got you sorted.
To assist you in a tight grip handling of the cooker, the company has provided a full-grip carry handle that’s equally sturdy and comfortable to hold.
Crock-Pot 7-Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker
Features highlight;
- Color – Stainless Steel
- Product dimensions- 9.5 x 14.4 x 14.4 inches
- Weight – 11.82 pounds
- Capacity – 7-quarts
This Crock-Pot slow cooker is a manual model from the manufacturers with a decent 7-quarts cooking capacity. This is a standard size for serving 8-9 people as the cooker can fit a 7 pounds roast.
Although this particular model is manual, it is still easy to use. For example, you can set the cooking time to high to get a hot meal in no time.
Alternatively, set it on low, and the dinner can be cooked while you’re at work. It is also easy to clean as it is dishwasher safe. This slow cooker can easily be used in a microwave, and the oven is set up to 400°F. There are three cooking settings – low, high, and warm.
West Bend 87905 Versatility Slow Cooker
Features highlight;
- Color – Silver
- Product dimensions- 9.25 x 12.5 x 9.5 inches
- Weight – 7.78 pounds
- Capacity – 5-quarts
This West Bend 87905 is another large-capacity slow cooker with a total cooking capacity worth 5-quarts. Being a versatile cooker, it is ideal for use at both home and travel, thanks to its tight lid and carries handles.
You get an adjustable temperature control to adjust the cooking temperature as per the requirements of the dish, from a dinner for two to entertaining a crowd.
It is a versatile cooking pot, i.e., it can be used in the oven, on the stovetop, in the freezer, or refrigerator. The closing lid is made from heat-resistant and scratch-proof glass.
Thus, you can check the progress of what’s cooking inside.
BLACK+DECKER 7-Quart Digital Slow Cooker
Features highlight;
- Color – Slate
- Product dimensions- 14.09 x 17.32 x 9.65 inches
- Weight – 14.61 pounds
- Capacity – 7-quarts
Out of all the slow cooker options reviewed here, this model from BLACK+DECKER features a digital display. Another interesting characteristic of this slow cooker is its chalkboard surface.
That is, you can use the outer surface of the product for drawing on and for writing down recipes or allergy concerns.
You get two complimentary chalk sticks; however, you can also use any random chalk stick.
There is a built-in lid holder on the side. Thus, you can keep the hot lid on the cooker itself instead of messing around on the countertop.
This cooker comes with three temperature settings – low, high, and warm. These three settings are ideal for exemplary performance with every recipe. If you think this product suits your needs then make sure to read the full review.
Crock-Pot 8-Quart Manual Slow Cooker
Features highlight;
- Color – Stainless Steel
- Product dimensions- 15.5 x 9.4 x 15.2 inches
- Weight – 15.52 pounds
- Capacity – 8-quarts
Are you looking forward to a delicious feast while on a trip? If so, get this Crock-Pot manual slow cooker for you. Although it is non-programmable, it is extremely easy to use.
You get three temperature settings to let you do other tasks while the cooker is at work. It suits indoor as well as outdoor use due to its sturdy carry handles.
The most interesting aspect of this manual slow cooker is that it comes with dishwasher-safe stoneware and a lid. Hence, you need not worry about its cleaning.
It has a cooking capacity of 8-quarts. Additionally, the bonus add-on is the 16-ounce little dipper food warmer for warming dips and sauces.
Not to forget the soft-grip chrome-plated handles. They make it easier to carry your slow cooker from one place to another.
Elite Gourmet MST-250XW Electric Slow Cooker
Features highlight;
If you are looking for a single-serve slow cooker for your caravan trip, consider this model from Elite Gourmet. It is a lightweight and easy-to-use cooker that can also prepare sauces, soups, roasts, stews, lentils, and dips.
There are three temperature settings – low, high, and warm. These three settings are ideal for exemplary performance with every recipe. Unlike the other slow cookers in the market, it has an attractive white finish.
Furthermore, its cool-touch handles and knobs make it safer for kids to handle the unit. It operates on 120W power. Not to forget its dishwasher-safe glass lid and stoneware pot.
Cuisinart MSC-600 3-In-1 Cook Central 6-Quart Multi-Cooker
Features highlight;
- Color – Stainless Steel
- Product dimensions- 12 x 19 x 9.5 inches
- Weight – 16 pounds
- Capacity – 6-quarts
This particular model from the well-known brand Cuisinart has three options to choose from. You can choose from 4-quarts, 6-quarts, and 7-quarts quantities.
Appearance-wise, the cooker has been given an attractive finish with soft-touch controls. This slow cooker lets you steam and saute too.
When your recipe calls for combination cooking, its one-touch switch modes can come in handy. You also get a value-for-money extra-large blue backlit LCD to easily read the inside temperature.
The company provides a limited 3-years warranty on the product. There are multiple cooking modes – high, low, simmer, and warm.
Additionally, the cooker automatically shifts to the “warm” setting to keep the food warm until it’s served after the cooking time gets over.
GreenLife Healthy Cook Duo Turquoise Slow Cooker
Features highlight;
- Color – Turquoise
- Product dimensions- 13.8 x 13.8 x 10.7 inches
- Weight – 8.43 pounds
- Capacity – 6-quarts
Greenlife is a renowned electronics brand in the market, and this slow cooker is a testimony to that. This is a deep and spacious slow cooker with a 6-quarts capacity.
Hence, you need not worry about the quantity of the food being cooked. Furthermore, the cooker is lightweight and removable for the stovetop.
There is an easy-to-use control panel through which you can select the delay timer, mode, keep warm feature, and On/Off.
All the components of the unit are removable and dishwasher-safe. Furthermore, the product is programmable for up to 10-hours.
FAQs
How is a slow cooker different from an oven?
A slow cooker or crock pot is different from an oven in a plethora of ways. For example, a slow cooker is easier to maintain, clean, and simple to use.
On the other hand, an oven is difficult to maintain, takes lots of time for its basic cleaning, and is messier to use.
Besides, a cooker is always portable and affordable against a bulky and expensive oven.
Is it worth buying a slow cooker?
Yes, it is worth buying a slow cooker for its endless benefits. For instance, such equipment is ideal for hands-off cooking, energy conservation, and accentuating the flavor in your food. Not to forget their simple and hassle-free cooking process because of slow cooking.
What is the benefit of slow cooking in a slow cooker?
If you want to relish mouthwatering food in your caravan, away from the luxury of the kitchen and home, a slow cooker is like your rescuer.
Long hours of cooking in a slow cooker make the food absorb most of the flavors that fill the dish with aroma. This is the main benefit of slow cooking.
Conclusion
Caravans are the best option to consider whenever you feel like taking some time off your hectic life. They are convenient, economical, and let you get closer to beautiful locations and collect wonderful memories with your close ones.
To make the most of your caravan trip, you must invest in a slow cooker that would help you enjoy homely food, everywhere and every time. With the help of this detailed slow cooker guide, you’ll be able to find the best slow cooker for your caravan!