When it comes to slow cookers, there are numerous reasons why an individual may want to purchase one. Generally, though, the reasoning will fall into one of two categories. The first is due to the slow cooker being an incredibly convenient appliance in the kitchen, and the second is because they have been touted as energy-efficient and cost-effective.
For those who are trying to save money or those who are on a tight budget, reducing energy costs is alluring. A common question that pops up as a result is;
How much electricity does a slow cooker use, and will it be energy efficient?
Modern slow cookers can consume as little as 0.7kWh over an 8-hour cooking cycle, which is less than most other cooking appliances, including an oven, electric stovetop, and even a pressure cooker. In fact, slow cookers don’t use more electricity over an 8-hour period than a light bulb does, making them one of the best options for those who seek to lower their electricity bill.
Slow cookers use between 70-150 watts on LOW and 150-250 on HIGH. This makes it possible for a slow cooker to operate during an 8-hour period and still costs no more than 15-20 cents. Slow cookers don’t consume a lot of electricity, on the contrary, they’re extremely efficient.
Of course, this number will fluctuate depending on factors such as the size of the slow cooker, what temperature the slow cooker is operating at and the total time of the cooking cycle.
What Wattage Does a Slow Cooker Operate At?
While there are variations in the amount of wattage used depending on which model of slow cooker you buy and which heat settings you use, most modern models will fall between 70- and 250-watt range.
The lower the setting that you use, the lower the amount of wattage that will be consumed.
How to Determine Your Slow Cooker’s Wattage Use?
Slow cookers use a 120-volt alternating-current electric power supply, or what you know to be the power socket in your wall. This 120-volt alternating-current ranges from a 0.6amps to 2 amps in electricity output.
To calculate how many watts of electricity your slow cooker uses, you simply take the lowest setting and its watts and multiply it by how many hours you are cooking for.
For example, if your Crock Pot only uses 70 watts on the lowest setting and you cook for 6 hours, your slow cooker will consume 420 watts.
If you have a larger Crock Pot that uses 180 watts on low, and you cook with it for 6 hours, it will consume 1,080 watts. Of course, the higher the setting and the larger the Crock Pot, the more electricity is needed to power it.
Comparison: Slow Cooker Versus Stove Top Energy Efficiency
When comparing a slow cooker versus a stovetop with regards to energy efficiency, it can be difficult to know which one wins out.
With a stovetop or oven, the wattage amount per hour is at a higher threshold, ranging anywhere between 1200 and 3000 watts, while the power needed for a slow cooker is between 70-250 watts.
From this alone, you would think that a slow cooker would come out on top, but this isn’t always the case.
Unlike a slow cooker which heats continuously, a stovetop will only heat the element when it notices a drop-in temperature. This means that the stovetop will only be in use for about 30 minutes out of every hour (this is heavily dependent on your stovetop).
If you are using a 3,000-watt element, you’re only using 1500 watts per hour. To cook the same meal in a slow cooker, you’re going to need to run it for much longer than 30-60 minutes.
You may find that the amount of wattage consumed ends up being about equal in the sense that the slow cooker, while at a much lower wattage consumption, may need just as much to do the same job over a longer period
The best way to find out if your slow cooker is more energy-efficient than your stovetop is to look at the number of amps being drawn from both or compare your electricity bill.
It should be noted that you can achieve slow cooker-like results using a stovetop but the process isn’t as automated and requires your maintenance at all times.
How is a Slow Cooker/Crock Pot Energy Efficient?
Unlike conventional ovens, a Crock Pot is energy efficient because it is designed to maintain a steady and continuous heat, while stoves, on the other hand, cycle their burners on and off as heat is needed.
The problem with this is that electric stoves run anywhere between 2,000 and 3,000 watts while a slow cooker like a Crock Pot runs anywhere between 70 and 250 watts.
Beyond this, modern Crock Pots are built with an in-temperature sensor for meats and will switch the device to warm mode once the desired temperature is reached. This feature saves you energy consumption by not cooking the meal longer than necessary.
Is It Cheaper To Use a Slow Cooker?
Undoubtedly, yes. Let’s say you pay twelve cents per kWh to run your stovetop and slow cooker, a stovetop at 1500 watts is going to cost you $0.18/h while a slow cooker at 250 watts is going to cost you $0.03/h.
Even if you were to run your slow cooker for eight hours every day, you would still only be paying $0.24 a day or $87.61 a year. An oven that is run for 8 hours a day at 1500 watts is going to cost you, $525.66 a year.
Now, it’s unlikely you are going to run your stovetop for eight hours a day, every day, so let’s say two hours a day, that’s still $131.41 a year.
What is the Best Energy Efficient Slow Cooker?
6-Quart Programmable Cook-and-Carry Crock Pot
This Crock Pot comes in stainless steel, black, and red and is made out of a stainless steel exterior. It comes with an easy-to-use locking lid with lid gasket, providing an extra seal for when you are on the move.
If you are looking for a Crock Pot that saves you money by being energy efficient, this one solves a common problem with slow cookers; your meal only takes six hours to cook but you will be gone for eight.
This slow cooker allows you to set the timer for the desired cooking time and will automatically switch itself over to the warm setting once the time is up.
No more worrying about whether dinner will be burned or dry when you come home. It comes with a low, high, and warm setting that reaches about 210 degrees with a maximum wattage of 240.
The only con associated with it is some users have stated that it cooks too hot on the lowest setting. With a 4.4-star rating on Amazon and 3,838 reviews, this Crock Pot is a hit.
Hamilton Beach 6-Quart Slow Cooker
This slow cooker is perfect for someone who wants to set it and forget it without worrying about whether they will come back to a destroyed meal.
Coming in at only 275 watts, the Hamilton Beach 6-Quart uses smart technology to allow you to cook a recipe to the desired cooking time or specific temperature with an automatic switch to keep warm when done.
It also comes with a patented temperature probe system that can display a food’s exact temperature as it cooks, which is perfect for families that eat a lot of meat-based meals.
It comes with a clip-tight gasket lid, perfect for preventing messy spills and is the perfect size for a 6-pound chicken or 4-pound roast. Beyond this, it comes with power interruption protection, allowing it to remember heat and time settings during a power interruption that lasts less than 5 seconds.
This slow cooker comes in at 4.2 stars on Amazon with 1800+ reviews.
Final Verdict
The main thing that you want to keep in mind when choosing a slow cooker specifically for its energy-saving capabilities, is to look for an energy seal or look at the total amount of watts being consumed. This will allow you to determine how much electricity you will use per hour and how much that will cost.