Life is pretty slow around here, so it came as kind of a surprise to find myself thinking about ways to take it down a notch. As many of us discover in retirement, there’s something rather comforting in the opposite of fast.
One of the very best things about retirement is the new way of getting up in the morning. I call it the slow rise … it’s not just for bread anymore. Plump the pillows, stay cozy, do Wordle perhaps, doze off again. Think positive thoughts. Ease out of bed around 7 a.m. The slower the better.
But I’m not here to talk about bread or wakening rituals.
Maybe it was 2020, or was it 2021? I started to think about a slow cooker. It’s one of the few kitchen appliances we don’t own, and there must have been a hint of Fall in the air when I began to think about soups and stews and chowders and chilis, oh my.
You can’t rush these things. It’s not like I don’t have the time to make them the old-fashioned way. And I’ve got Dale. He’s the human slow cooker. But it’s not like we need another appliance. Ever the dutiful student, I spent a couple of years looking at slow cooker recipes, to see if I’d use the appliance as much as I imagine. I’m saying yes.
I experimented with the Instant Pot, to see if it’s a suitable replacement. I’m saying no.
Then I read the reviews. America’s Test Kitchen likes this one.
Finally, I looked at our space. We have three small appliances we’re not likely to use anymore, so I could easily imagine donating them to free up a spot for a new slow cooker. The stainless steel fish poacher was an ambitious leftover from the 80s, when we thought whole fish was cool and we hadn’t yet surrendered to the ease of filets. Before we learned poached is not quite the same as roasted, baked, sautéed, simmered, fried or frosted.
Then there’s climate change, nuclear war – what could be so wrong about a little appliance that could bring me such joy in my final years?
I’m running out of arguments and am close to pushing the button, as in low, 6 to 8 hours.
What do you think? Unnecessary indulgence or kitchen essential? Busy retirees want to know.
Just put our fairly new one in the donation pile. No need to do the extra planning to chop stuff and start on time. The benefit was start in the morning, eat when we rolled in exhausted from the day. Don’t have that problem now. We do have an Instant Pot that we use for pressure cooking. However it will slow cook too, so we still have the option to slow cook if the urge strikes.
Good luck!
Hi, Tim! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I also have the time to cook without it, but I do like my kitchen toys. Still on the fence.
I’d say yes. We use ours a lot and it does cook differently than stove top or instant pot. I think the flavors develop better. Mine is just from Costco so not an expensive All Clad. I do all my beans in the slow cooker and cook for 6-8 hours.
Your observation about flavor is key — it’s not just about time. Thanks, Christina!
I use my slow cooker every season. I love the soups, stews and chilis that make themselves in cool weather. I’ve found that the slow cooker is an asset in hot weather as it doesn’t heat up the kitchen. When neither of us has the energy to face the heat of barbecuing, it’s time to put dinner in the slow cooker.
Another vote for the slow cooker! A good point about it not heating up the kitchen.
I bought a large slow cooker back when I worked and we would have office potlucks and chili cookoff’s. I bought it to keep my offerings warm. Actually, they had to bring in numerous long plugs for all the slow cookers keeping food warm. I’ve only used it occasionally at home, probably because we have a nice large pantry room that previous owners built in the garage so I have lot’s of superfluous cooking stuff and oh my god, cookbooks, because I have all that storage space.
However, every time I use it, I wonder why I don’t use it more often. It’s especially good at making roasts and chicken tender, and the slow cooking seems to allow any spices added to really do their thing. I imagine that because it’s out of sight, it’s out of mind. I literally have about 3 feet of usable counter space because the prior owner owned some fast food bistros and he installed a huge commercial Wolf range and griddle in the kitchen which eliminated counter space and cabinets. It sits on a commercial platform where you put all your pots and pans on a shelf underneath. Along with that, he left two large commercial tool chests, one which holds spices and my sauces and other most used food cooking and baking accompaniments, and the other one holds my mixer, cake pans, baking instruments and one drawer holds cooking brandy and a huge assortment of teas. It’s the most unusual kitchen I’ve ever had and the smallest, but that stove is the bomb and I’ve resisted my husband’s desire to get rid of it. It was a well used stove that had been in a bistro he closed down so along with being huge, it’s not pretty, but boy, can it cook!
So I would say get a slow cooker. Get the large size that has the ceramic insert so that it’s easy to clean. If you’re able to keep it out to see it, you’ll use it more often. And if you want a killer vegan lentil Thai chili, go to Isa Chandra’s Post Punk Kitchen website and plug that recipe in hr search function. It won the vegetarian cook-off at work and I make it at least twice each winter, using less of the heat she recommends. I’d start with less and add more to taste. All of her recipes are winners. I’m not a vegetarian but I do like good vegetarian/vegan recipes. You don’t need a slow cooker to make it and I make it on the stove. But now I want some as our temps have dropped like a rock here in NM.
yes, be sure it has the ceramic insert. The one from Costco does. I don’t think it takes up room at all. I keep mine under our stainless steel island and I have a VERY small kitchen.
Aside from kitchen envy, I’m liking your argument in favor of the slow cooker. We do have a place to put it where it’s visible. Good point about the ceramic insert, as well.
Our weather hasn’t cooled off yet, but I’ll be ready. I will definitely try the red lentil chili. I make a similar one and love it. It’s nice with a dollop of yogurt seasoned with sumac.
I have a crock pot that I got as a wedding present during my first marriage (so it is quite old!). I’ve never used it, but my niece does so I still have it. It takes up a lot of room. When I got remarried in 2020, we were gifted an Insta Pot. Some of my friends really love them, but they tend to be younger and still working types who benefit from the “insta.” I have plenty of time for cooking the old fashion way, but couldn’t find the time to read the instructions for the Insta Pot. Also, that high pressure thing….I ended up regifting it to a family member.
We use our Instant Pot quite a bit, but I really do think a dedicated slow cooker is a different animal.
Kitchen essential! I’ve had slow cookers since they were called crockpots and came in avocado green! I love mine. Like Christina said above, it’s great for beans. I soak mine all night, change the water and cook all day, then bag and freeze. You can bake bread in them too but I’m not really a fan. Also good for keeping dipping chocolate at a perfect temperature in case you decide to take up candy making! 😉
We cook our beans in the Instant Pot, but I’ll bet the slow cooker adds that long-simmered taste. And dipping chocolate — what could be wrong about that?????
I can attest that InstaPots make not a slower cooker be, or something like that. I googled it after I had a disaster thinking that it would do. It doesn’t.
That’s my $0.02. You need an InstaPot and a slow cooker.
What’s wrong with too many small appliances? Got an Air Fryer? You need one of those, too.
Laugh at me as you should, but this year I bought a countertop icemaker. It transformed my summer.
There is always room to squeeze in more stuff.
Carole, as usual, you made me laugh. I’m kind of with you that there’s always room to squeeze in more stuff. But I don’t see me getting an air fryer. Not that I haven’t studied them, too.
Second (or third?) on the Costco with ceramic insert one…..got it on sale and use it often for soups, chili, and very tender chicken when it’s too hot to grill and/or feeling lazy.
Another vote for the slow cooker! Several of you have observed it’s good for hot weather, too. I hadn’t thought of that.
Go for it! We have multiple slow cookers in both of our homes, and would not be without them.
Hint, if you aren’t particularly set on a certain model, I’m sure you could find a good one at either a Thrift Store or a Garage sale.
I’ll be you’re right about thrift stores and garage sales. Some of the older appliances are still the best!
Count me in the yes!! Group. And not just for cold weather. Both spareribs and country ribs are fantastic in the alow cooker on high, and the slow cooker makes a mean bread pudding or crisp during hot months. Count me into the it’s as much because of flavor as convenience. I don’t own an insta pot, I use my air fryer less than I thought I would and I’m not a good enough cook to use a sous vide. Otherwise I’m pro appliance.
I’m so glad I asked for feedback on the slow cookers. I had not realized they were just as good during the hot months, and I am so happy to learn it’s as much about flavor as convenience. In my opinion, flavor is the key to good cooking, good eating and a good life!
I’m with you on the slow rise. After nine years of retirement I’m still not over the slow mornings. And yes to the slow cooker with the removable ceramic insert. I’m surprised you don’t have one already. I’m curious to know what the other 2 appliances are that you would cull besides the fish poacher. There’s a pressure cooker still in the original box in the store room that has never been used after 20 yrs. It was a time saver back in the day of work & kid/husband with their tongues hanging out, waiting on something to eat. Now I have the comfort & privilege of time.
Glad to hear you also enjoy the slow rise. After getting up at 4 a.m. for years and hustling and bustling to get out the door, it’s a true pleasure.
One of the other appliances is a stand-up citrus juicer similar to those sometimes used in bars. It just doesn’t work as well as the newer hand squeezers. It also takes up a a fair amount of space and is a PITA to clean. Now that I have to explain myself, I’m having second thoughts about culling the other. It’s a clay loaf pan. Although we bake LOTS of bread, we don’t use this particular vessel. However, it doesn’t take up much space, and I’m inclined to give it a second chance.
Team slow cooker here.
I own an Instant Pot since your enthusiastic review and recently bought a Crock Pot.
Have used it for Sauce Bolognese, Goulash and Lamb Shanks, everything went very good. Found out, that the taste is even better, if I brown the meat in a pan before putting it in the slow cooker. Also vegetables (soffrito for Bolo) should be sautéed a bit.
Donna, I always read your Blog posts. But the last month were exhausting. Another fracture at the thoracic spine, then we both had Covid and now husband suffered from stenosis. I had no energy for anything aside from the daily care work.
Stay healthy, both of you!
Hi Barbara — I’m so happy to hear from you and am sorry you and your husband are going through all this. Sucks. I hope you both recover soon. And thanks for the slow cooker endorsement! I had kind of talked myself out of it, but now I’m headed in that direction again.
I love my crockpots.I have THREE! A small,medium and large! I make my spaghetti gravy and meatballs in it,beans,soups,chili, and tomorrow I am makingi saurkraut and pork. I love putting everything in, in the morning, and then voila! Dinner done. And it makes the house smell soo good.I don’t have an insta pot or an air fryer and won’t be getting either one,but my crock pot is invaluable.I have two crock pot recipe books too. When it’s my turn to host for cards, i usually make a soup or stew in it for the 4 of us,too.
Another excellent endorsement! I think I’m just going to go ahead and do it.
Having rejected the many offers of second-hand electrical appliances from my mother – who buys everything and hasn’t cooked in years – we finally embraced the world of slow cooking. We’ve had it a few weeks and I have to say it’s a great cold weather tool. This weekend Himself added cheesy dumplings to the beef stew he was slow cooking – and they were fabulous! He went on to cook up the rest of the beef in a creamy (if peppy) curry. I give it a big thumbs up 🙂
That sounds delicious. You had me at beef stew and cheesy dumplings.