Programmable Cookers

Advanced slow cookers have programmable features

Although slow-cooker mechanics have changed little since the 1970s, design and features have evolved. Fancier slow cookers can cost as much as $250 and include such features as temperature sensors, computerized recipe databases, stovetop- and oven-safe crocks and even griddle surfaces. Harvest gold and avocado color schemes have given way to sleek stainless steel, black and red.

Stovetop-safe inserts are the latest innovation. You brown meat in a removable insert, then transfer it to the base for further cooking. Both the 6-quart Rival SCVI600B-SS VersaWare slow cooker (*Est. $80) and the 6-quart West Bend Versatility 84866 (*Est. $80) have this feature, which experts say works better in theory than in practice. The problem is temperature. Inserts are only stovetop-safe to medium heat, but you need high heat to sear meat or caramelize onions. The West Bend Versatility slow cooker scored well in some professional reviews thanks to its base which doubles as a built-in griddle, but it was also downgraded for lacking an indicator light and having a lid that doesn't fit snugly into the pot. The Rival VersaWare, which has an opaque lid, is recommended by Southern Living and also gets above-average reviews at Amazon.com, although some users say that the insert and lid can crack. In general, if you want to brown meat, most cooking experts say you're better off cooking it in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker. This model is programmable, so at the end of the cooking cycle, it can automatically switch to keep-warm mode.

Although the Hamilton Beach Set 'N Forget 33966 (*Est. $45) 6-quart programmable slow cooker has a temperature probe, experts say you don't really need one, because slow cooking just isn't that precise. Experts say its performance rivals that of fancier cookers, and its lid fits snugly into the crock, locking in steam. It has a glass lid, digital timer and keep-warm mode. This Hamilton Beach slow cooker performs very well in expert testing, and ConsumerGuide.com lists it as a best buy. Owners posting to Cooking.com give it high marks, although Amazon.com users have mixed feelings. The main complaints center on the insert, which lacks handles. Two other users say theirs died within a short time. The Hamilton Beach Set 'N Forget 6-Quart Programmable 33967 (*Est. $40) is nearly identical, but with the addition of a clip-tight gasket lid that also holds a clip-on spoon. This model gets a good review in one of the expert tests.

For smaller families or single people, the 4-quart Cuisinart PSC-400 (*Est. $75) is recommended in reviews. The Cuisinart slow cooker has a stainless-steel exterior, a ceramic crock and a glass lid. It is programmable with a 24-hour timer with digital LCD display and four temperature settings, and it auto-shifts to warm when timed cooking ends. Its crock and lid are both dishwasher-safe, and it has an unusually long warranty of three years.

Woman's Day names the Cuisinart PSC-400 as one of their top picks, saying the touchpad controls make it easy to operate. This slow cooker receives high average scores in reviews posted to Amazon.com and Cooking.com. Owners and experts both like the retractable cord and sleek design. Users also like the included cooking rack and spiral-bound recipe booklet. A couple of owners say the low setting is too high, however. The Cuisinart is also available in a 6.5-quart version (*Est. $100).

The KitchenAid 7-Quart Slow Cooker (*Est. $130) has a larger capacity than the Cuisinart and Hamilton Beach slow cookers above. This programmable unit cooks on high for the first two hours, then automatically shifts to low for the remainder of the cooking time. Testers at Cook's Illustrated found that the KitchenAid slow cooker ran a bit hot, but reviewers like the design of the insert, which is squared off for easier pouring. The KitchenAid slow cooker receives above-average reviews from owners posting to Amazon.com and Cooking.com. Owners like the sleek design, choice of colors and capacity markings on the inside of the insert. However, a large number of users are currently reporting that their inserts are cracking.

One of the most expensive slow cookers, the All-Clad 99005 7-Quart Slow Cooker (*Est. $275), is similar to the less expensive VersaWare and West Bend Versatility slow cookers in that it has a stove-safe insert. With cast aluminum construction, however, the insert is capable of searing meat and browning onions over high stovetop heat, but it doesn't have as much surface area as a large skillet, forcing you to cook in batches. Testers at Cook's Illustrated say that pouring the excess fat from the insert is a hassle. Although this slow cooker is packed with features, reviewers say that some cheaper models do just as a good a job.

All-Clad also manufactures a 6.5-quart slow cooker with a ceramic insert, the All-Clad 99009 (*Est. $200), that has all the features testers look for: an insert with handles, a clear lid and a digital timer. In addition, the All-Clad slow cooker can be programmed to cook for up to 26 hours. Testers at Cook's Illustrated give it their highest rating for its "slow, steady" heat, and several other experts name the All-Clad their top choice, calling it "versatile" and praising the large digital readout and pleasing looks.

The All-Clad slow cooker also receives mainly high average scores in dozens of reviews at Amazon.com, Epinions.com and Cooking.com. There are a few customer complaints that it runs hot or develops hairline cracks, and one owner also complains that her cooker quit working after a month. Most consumers give this slow cooker a perfect score, however, and only complain that the cooker is large and a bit bulky. Some reviewers note that this product is made in China and some comment on the price, but most feel it is worth the money.