Crockpots (slow cookers) are a valuable addition to any kitchen. Not only do they turn out deliciously tender meals, but they’re also convenient, allowing you to cook your meals without being physically present throughout the process.
Whether you’re in the market for the first time, want to replace your older one, or better yet, add another crockpot to your collection, size is a key consideration. The question at the back of people’s minds is, “What size do I need?’
Crockpots come in different capacities so the answer depends on your family size and the meal you’re cooking. Here are some guidelines to give you a clearer picture:
- 1 – 2 quart is ideal for singles or a couple that appreciates single-serving recipes or dip recipes.
- 3 – 4 quart works for small families and is perfect for casseroles and desserts.
- 5 – 6 quart for larger families and work well for stews, casseroles, soups, and desserts.
- 7 – 10 quart is great for entertaining and can be used for a whole chicken, large roasts, and other sizeable chunks of meat.
That’s the short answer, and if you would like to know more about crockpot sizes including how to know the actual capacity of your crockpot, read on.
What Is the Standard Size Of a Crock Pot?
The standard size of a crockpot is between five and six quarts. These sizes are popular among regular-sized families and can accommodate various recipes.
Plus, you’ll have enough left in case someone wants a second helping or if you need to carry lunch to work the next day.
Many families own more than one crockpot, in different sizes which allows them to switch up depending on the meal or if they have family or friends over for a visit.
Does It Matter What Size Slow Cooker You Use?
Yes, it does. The recipe you’re using will likely have a particular cooking time that’s based on a specific slow cooker size. This means that a side dish will require a smaller crockpot than a large roast.
Manufacturers recommend filling the crockpot halfway or three-quarter way, with the ingredients or liquid to ensure that it cooks properly. Any less or if the slow cooker is filled to the brim may result in raw food, overcooked meals or an overflow which will a mess to clean up.
The shape of the slow cooker matters as well. Using a crockpot that properly fits the meal is not just important but more practical. crockpots come in different shapes including round and oval.
The oval-shaped slow cookers are pricier than their round-shaped counterparts, but you’ll find that they fit a whole chicken or butternut squash better. Round crockpots work best with your typical slow cooker meals.
How Can I Tell How Many Quarts My Slow Cooker Is?
The easiest way to know how many quarts your slow cooker is to check the box. However, if you don’t have that handy, you can measure its capacity using water.
Four cups of water equal one quart. By counting the number of cups of water it takes to fill the crockpot to the rim, you’ll know how it’s capacity. For example, 14 to 16 cups of water indicate that your slow cooker’s capacity is three and a half to four quarts.
It’s worth noting that a crockpot’s capacity doesn’t necessarily translate into the same volume foodwise. Say your slow cooker is 6-quarts, the usable cooking space will be much less since you’ll not be filling it to the rim.
A 3-quart slow cooker should be able to cook enough food for one to two people. In the case of the 6-quart crockpot, you’ll have around 4.5 quarts of usable cooking volume. Not to panic though, as this volume can sufficiently cater for six to eight people at one go.
What Is the Biggest Crock Pot Size?
If you’re entertaining a large crew, you’ll be looking for a super large slow cooker. So, what is the biggest crockpot size on the market? These massive appliances range between 8 quarts and 10 quarts.
You can easily fit huge chunks of meat, think 12lb roast, whole chicken or 10 lb turkey. They are ideal for feeding crowds which is pretty cool if you want to serve delicious homemade meals without breaking the bank.
Some of the best large crock pots available include:
- Hamilton Beach extra large slow cooker with 10-quart capacity. You can find more details here.
- Crock-Pot oval 8-quart manual slow cooker. View more details here.
- Digital programmable Elite Platinum slow cooker by Maxi-Matic. Read more about this 8.5-quart crockpot here.
- Presto Nomad 8-quart slow cooker ideal for travel. Learn more about this on the road crockpot here.
Are Larger Crock Pots More Expensive?
It’s easy to see why people may shy away from larger slow cookers believing them to be more expensive than the smaller ones. This may not necessarily be true as the prices range from $35 to $100 or more for premium models.
Some smaller sizes cost more than their larger counterparts so it’s not a case of size alone. Other factors contribute to pricing. Some brands target high-end markets which means their products cost more.
Manual (nonprogrammable) slow cookers are much cheaper than programmable models. Some high-tech crockpots can be monitored using an app on your smartphone and perform various tasks including baking, and sautéing which makes them pricier than basic slow cookers.
As we mentioned earlier, oval-shaped crockpots cost more than round ones due to their versatility.
What’s the Difference Between a Crock Pot and a Slow Cooker?
The words crockpots and slow cookers are used interchangeably, as you’ve seen us do here, but there are differences between the two.
Crockpots were introduced in the fifties and were meant for cooking beans. Over time, their use diversified and today, they are used to cook all types of foods including desserts.
The Rival Company patented the term Crock-Pot in 1971 which meant all other slow cooker manufacturers such as Hamilton Beach, All-Clad, West Bend, and Cuisinart among others could only refer their products as slow cookers and not crockpots.
Now, crock-pots are slow cookers but not all slow cookers are crock-pots. What are the differences?
Crockpots are made of stoneware while slow cookers are made using metal. This makes crock pots heavier and harder to manipulate when cleaning compared to slow cookers. Additionally, crockpots are delicate and more susceptible to breaking should they fall.
Heat distribution is one of the key differences. With crock pots, the stoneware pot is lined with heating elements on the sides and at the bottom which ensures the food is surrounded by heat.
Slow cookers, on the other hand, sit atop the heating element and the pot can be removed from the heating surface. The heating element on slow cookers cycles on and off and there is a possibility of food getting scorched.
As far as similarities go, both crock pots and slow cookers use moist heat for cooking. They are ideal for tenderizing tough cuts of meat that need to be cooked for an extended period.
Is an Instant Pot the Same as a Slow Cooker?
Go through several ‘best rated slow cooker’ review articles and you’ll see an Instant Pot included. Are they the same?
Instant pots are predominantly used for pressure cooking. However, they are a multi-cooker with settings for pressure cooking, sautéing/searing, yogurt making, rice cooking, slow cooking and may probably do your budget, too. Think about how many appliances they can replace in your kitchen.
An instant pot cooks faster because of the controlled pressure within the pot. According to their website, using an instant pot can speed up your cooking by two to six times. Pretty cool, if you’re in a hurry.
Slow cookers on the hand, can be programmed to cook from 30 to 20 hours. You’ll throw in all your ingredients in the morning and dinner will be perfectly done as you go about your other business.
“If you’re cooking a meat or soup recipe in the Crock-Pot and it calls for an 8-hour cook time on low, then the same recipe will only cook for 25 to 30 minutes in the Instant Pot”
The Spruce Eats
Many food bloggers rave about instant pots while others use it with caution particularly when it comes to the slow cooking options. They would rather use their good old crockpots for the job.
In the end, crockpots and instants pot are good to have and each offers you the opportunity to whip up healthy meals without spending too much time in the kitchen. Comfort foods in winter and tasty delights in the summer, so why not make room for both!
Conclusion
A crockpot is one of the best inventions in today’s kitchen, enabling busy people to enjoy wholesome meals any day of the week and cut down takeout expenses. Plus, they make the perfect gift option.
By choosing the right size to suit your needs, you’ll be able to enjoy this amazing appliance for a long time to come.