Shopping for Slow Cookers on Black Friday: What to Know

A slow cooker for Black Friday should match your household and how you cook. Pick the pot size by how many people you feed and whether you want leftovers, then decide between a manual dial and a programmable timer that switches to warm. Check that the stoneware insert lifts out for washing and that the lid fits snugly.

Size it to your table

Slow cookers are sold by capacity in quarts. A small pot suits dips and meals for one or two. A mid-size pot covers most family meals. The largest pots fit a whole chicken or a big batch of chili for freezing. A pot that is too large for the recipe can cook unevenly, so do not size up without a reason.

Features worth comparing

• Programmable timer. Switches to keep warm when cooking ends, which helps if you are out all day.
• Locking lid. Clips the lid down so the cooker can travel to a potluck or a family dinner.
• Oval or round pot. Oval pots fit roasts; round pots suit stews and soups.
• Sear function. Some multi-cookers brown meat in the same pot, which saves a pan.

Read the listing for the brand name and model, and make sure the stoneware insert and the lid are both included.

New slow cookers to compare

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See more countertop cookers on the small kitchen appliances page.