7 Best Small Slow Cooker / Crock-Pot in 2023 [[1.5, 3 – 4 Quarts]]
If you’re looking for an electrical cooking appliance that can perfectly cook small meals, then a small slow cooker, aka the crockpot, is just the thing you need. While it’s true that this machine makes the whole process of cooking meals easier, the best ones have a lot more to offer and does the job even better.
That’s why in this article, I will introduce you to a list of the best small slow cooker and crockpots in the market. And not just that! A detailed buying guide will help you understand what you need to look for in a cooking appliance like this and how you can choose the best one for you.
So, let’s start!
But before, check out the best crockpot and slow cookers with the quick comparison here:
My List for the Best Small Slow Cooker and Crockpot: Top 7
A small cooker or crock pot comes with a lot of features & qualities. The process of comparing one with another and choosing the best one is quite a difficult one. But you have nothing to worry about. We are going through all the trouble so you don’t have to. Here’s a list of the best ones narrowed down to 7 –
1. Cuisinart PSC-350 3-1/2-Quart Programmable Cooker – Best Overall
This programmable slow cooker from Cuisinart has a stainless steel build with a glass lid and rubber feet. The glass lid allows you to monitor the cooking progress, and the rubber feet keep the whole thing in place even if the countertop is a bit slippery. And the stay-cool handles are great, as you don’t have to worry about accidental burn marks.
This small programmable crock pot comes with 4 convenient cooking modes – low, high, warm, and simmer. Using these cooking modes, you can easily cook delicious meals in the 3.5-quart removable ceramic pot. The touchpad control panel allows you to switch between different modes effortlessly.
As a cherry on top, a 24-hour countdown timer comes with an LCD screen. You can use the timer for cooking the food quite conveniently. And the best part is that right after it finishes cooking, the machine automatically switches to warm mode to enjoy a smoky hot meal whenever you want.
Pros:
Both the glass lid and the ceramic pot are dishwasher friendly
Easy to clean without worrying about causing damage
Easily programmable and has great cooking features
This one from Sunvivi is one of the best dual crock pots in the market, and there are a couple of reasons why. You can’t just prepare one but two different items at a time because the 2.5 quarts capacity of this machine is divided into two 1.25 quarts crocks.
Each crock pot is well equipped with a couple of convenient features. First of all, they have 3 different cooking settings – high, low, and warm. Thanks to the convenient knob control feature, you can easily switch between any modes. The ‘warm’ mode comes in handy, especially if you’re planning on catering to guests who might be a little late.
Both of the pots and glass lids are dishwasher friendly. So you can easily detach them and clean them without any complications. Also, the handles on both parts come with cool-touch features. You can easily remove the crocks and start serving the food, right after you finish cooking.
Pros:
Convenient for prepare two different items together
This machine comes with a reliable build
5-quart crock pot capacity for easily cooking a meal for one
Has convenient thermal insulation settings
Has a reliable stainless steel build
Cons:
Doesn’t have a timer which requires constant attention while cooking
This one is one of the best 1.5-quart slow cooker machines if you’re looking for a great deal on something that’s quite minimal considering all aspects. This 120-watt cooking appliance comes in the dimensions of 8.9 x 7.1 x 9.1 inches and weighs only 5.2 pounds.
What makes it the best 1.5 quart slow cooker?
Cooks by JCP Home Slow Cooker offers 3 different cooking settings – low, high, and warm. Thanks to the convenient ‘warm’ mode, you can enjoy a warm meal any time of the day. By the way, the 1.5-quart pot is great for cooking a small meal for two in a short time.
It has a knob control system to set your preferred heat setting. It feels a bit flimsy but can’t complain about the performance. This slow cooker has two handles that make it easier to carry from one place to another. The pot itself has convenient handles too if you want to carry it to a fridge or someplace else.
If you’re looking for the best 3-quart crock pot then definitely consider this Crockpot 3-Quart Round Manual Slow Cooker. Within the mid-price range, this stainless steel-made slow cooker offers a deal that’s hard to refuse. You can easily prepare meals for a small family in the removable stoneware pot.
So, what makes this one of the best small crock pots in the market?
There are three different cooking moods in this slow cooker. The high and low mode allows you to cook the rice, vegs and food according to your own convenience and time. The warm mode allows you to serve and enjoy a warm meal any time of the day. You can switch between the modes using the knob control system.
The glass lid that comes with the crock pot allows you to clearly see what’s going on inside the pot. This dishwasher and the pot, both are dishwasher friendly. So, you don’t need to worry about causing wear off or chips while washing it in a dishwasher.
Pros:
This cooking appliance is easy to use and easy to clean
Has convenient heat settings for cooking
One of the Best 3 qt Slow Cookers in mid-price
Comes with a 24-inch long cord for convenient connection
Can cook the food evenly by efficiently distributing heat
Cons:
Not having a timer is definitely a serious issue
5. Crock-Pot 2-QT Round Manual Slow Cooker – Right 2 QT Crock Pot
Crock-Pot 2-QT Round Manual Slow Cooker comes in the dimensions of 9 H x 8.9 W x 7.4 D inches and weighs around 2.13 kilograms. It has a reliable build and comes in an ergonomic shape. The removable pot of this manual crock pot can easily contain food for about 4 people.
There are only two heat settings in this machine. You can easily switch between the low and high modes using the knob. The low heat setting allows you to simmer while the high heat setting allows you to cook the food faster. The energy usage of this 1500-watt machine is comparatively less than a conventional oven making it one of the best mini crockpot options out there.
When it comes to washing, it’s quite easy with this slow cooker from CROCKPOT. As they are dishwasher friendly, you don’t need to worry about any kind of damage while washing them in a dishwasher. This particular cooking appliance will efficiently serve you for a long time.
Pros:
Comes with a transparent glass lid for clear visibility
Comes with handles that make it easy to carry
You can use the removable pot to store food inside the fridge
One of the best 2-quart slow cookers in the market right now
The stoneware pot is oven safe
Cons:
There are complaints that this machine takes significantly more time than usual
TRU Triple Buffet Server – Best Slow Cooker for One Person
Hosting a party is now easier with the TRU Triple Buffet Server slow cooker. If you’re looking for the best triple slow cookers in the market then this one is your go-to one! It comes with three individual chambers for cooking three different food items at a time.
Each of the stoneware pots has a 2.5 quarts capacity which makes the whole capacity around 7.5 quarts. You can easily prepare a nice meal for one person with the main dish, a side, and a dessert. The stoneware pots are removable which makes them convenient for serving food.
All the chambers have three dedicated heat settings. The warm mode allows you to keep the food smoky hot until it’s time to serve. The lid rest feature is great for serving buffet style. Then there are cool touch handles to avoid burnt fingers while removing the pot right after cooking.
Pros:
Allows you to cook a wide range of food items
Easy to monitor the cooking progress through the glass lids
Comes with a great build that offers durability
Can easily cook a versatile meal for 3+ people
Saves a lot of space on the countertop in your kitchen
One of the best slow cookers under $100
Cons:
The temperature knob is quite flimsy
Cuisinart MSC-600 3-in-1 Multi-Cooker – Small Crockpots and Slow Cooker
Cuisinart MSC 600 3-in-1 Multi Cooker is a versatile cooking appliance that comes with 3 different cooking functions. Besides slow cooking, this stainless steel-made multi-cooker offers steam and the sauté function. Switch between the preset functions with just a simple push of a button.
This cooking appliance has dedicated buttons and an LCD display so that you can adjust the time and temperature individually. You can set the temperature up to 400° F. The nonstick aluminum pot is removable and its 6 quarts capacity allows you to cook a family-size meal.
The machine switches to ‘keep warm’ mode right after it finishes cooking the food. This allows you to enjoy warm food whenever you reach home. The cool-touch handle makes it easy to carry the pot for serving. Both the glass lid and cooking pot are dishwasher friendly. There is also a steaming rack that comes with the package.
Pros:
Delivers consistent performance in all 3 cooking modes
Comes with a backlit display for convenient use
Great for cooking a family-size meal
Allows you to cook different kinds of food items
Easy to clean dishwasher safe accessories
Cons:
The nonstick coating doesn’t last for a long time
How to Choose The Best Small Slow Cooker and Crockpot: A Complete Buying Guide
Choosing the right slow cooker is not that difficult if you know how to set your priorities. A small slow cooker or a crock pot comes with 4 or 5 major features but all of them are not equally important to determine its performance. Here are the things you should look for in a small slow cooker –
Make Sure It Has an Effective Heating System
The heating element is the most important factor in any kind of cooking appliance. You should look for a small cooker or crock pot that’s capable of producing enough heat and spreading it efficiently. Proper heat distribution is important for cooking your food evenly without any scorching mark.
Always find out the details on the heating elements. Usually, most small slow cookers come with a heating element at the bottom. If there’s one that comes with heating elements on the sides as well then definitely go for that one. Because that can distribute the heat more efficiently.
A Good Construction Matters
Body: The construction of the body is really important. The construction should be sturdy and thick enough to deal with the heat. At the same time, it should be a good insulator in order to keep the heat intact. Most small crock pots have stainless steel bodies which are reliable in this regard.
Pot: The pot must be a good conductor of heat. A good conductor allows you to distribute the heat evenly. The pots in the slow cooker are usually made of stoneware and aluminum which are great for cooking. And of course, make sure the pot is removable.
Controls: Crock pots or slow cookers usually have two kinds of control features – knob control and buttons. Makes sure that the buttons and the knob control don’t feel flimsy. It makes the whole process of switching heat settings and adjusting the timer quite uncomfortable.
See If It Has a Programmable Setting
Programmable slow cookers are the ones that allow you to adjust the time and temperature according to your own convenience. Having a programmable cooking appliance can make cooking a lot easier than you can imagine. It also saves you a lot of time as you don’t need to constantly monitor the whole time.
There are some programmable slow cookers that are one step ahead of the usual ones. Those machines come with a 24-hour timer and apparently, you can set the time when the cooking process will begin and end. This allows you to enjoy a warm meal right after coming back home from work.
Make Sure All the Necessary Functions Are There
All slow cookers and crock pots usually have two functions or heat settings – low and high. You can switch between the modes to cook the food according to your convenience. But there is one more function that’s really convenient, the ‘keep warm’ function.
If you switch to this mode after finishing cooking, it’ll keep the warm until you’re ready to serve. The programmable slow cookers usually have a feature that automatically switches to this mode after it finishes cooking.
See if the Accessories Are Dishwasher Friendly
It’s important that the glass lid and the pot are dishwasher friendly. Dishwashers use high-temperature hot water and detergent to clean the dishes. If a particular accessory isn’t built to endure the heat and water pressure, it can start chipping and fading.
Dishwasher-safe glass lids and pots are easy to clean. You won’t need to rub off the grease and dirt with your own hands. You can wash them in a dishwasher with the rest of the dishes.
Pick the Capacity & Type That Works Best for You
Before buying a slow cooker, you need to figure out which capacity will be perfect for you. The capacity of a slow cooker usually starts from 1 quart and goes up to 8 quarts. 1 to 3 quarts size is good for cooking a meal for approximately 3 people. 4 to 6 quarts should be enough to cook a medium meal for 5+ people. And the ones over 6 quarts should be able to cook meals for a large family.
The type of slow cooker is also important besides the capacity. Maybe you’re capable of buying a 6 quarts slow cooker but you don’t need that to cook just one meal. So, you can get a dual or triple slow cooker with 6 quarts capacity. Then you can prepare two or three different items at a time.
What size slow cooker is best for a single person?
Ans: It’s actually up to your eating habit. For example, how much you eat and whether or not you eat leftovers. Usually, a 1.5-quart slow cooker should be enough for preparing a full meal for a single person. There will be enough food for an average individual and also a few leftovers.
1.5 quarts can cook a lite meal for two people as well. But if you’re looking for one to prepare a meal for a single person, 1.5 quarts is the safest option. I mean, it wouldn’t hurt to have a little extra capacity, right?
People often ask, what is a good size slow cooker for 2 people?
Ans: I would say that 2 – 3 quarts is a good size slow cooker for 2 average males. This range is almost perfect for a couple that likes to prepare their food on a regular basis without leftovers. If you go for anything less than 2 quarts then there might be a little shortage and if you go over 3 quarts then there will be lots of leftovers.
Another common question is, Is a 1.5 Litre slow cooker big enough?
Ans: A standard slow cooker usually comes in the dimensions of 8.9 x 7.1 x 9.1 inches and weighs around 5 pounds. These are quite easy to carry around even with the food inside. It’s not that big in size and will occupy a very little place on the countertop in your kitchen. A 1.5-liter slow cooker offers plenty of space to cook a meal for two people.
People also ask, slow cooker vs crock pot, what’s the difference?
Ans: Actually there is no difference between a slow cooker and a crock pot. Both of these terms are used interchangeably for one another. Both of these are electrical cooking appliances that use a particular method of cooking called simmering. This method keeps the cooking temperature just below the water’s boiling point.
There is a registered brand under the name of Crock Pot that’s a well-known supplier of slow cookers. But the slow cookers of other brands are also called crock pots. So, it doesn’t make a change and there is nothing to be confused about.
Wrap Up
When you’re planning on buying something, it’s important to think the whole thing through. You need to take all the major features, aspects, advantages, and disadvantages into account. Then you need to figure out what you actually need it for and based on that you need to set your priorities.
The one that meets your requirements the most should be the best one for you. Take your time, take help from the buying guide, and choose one from the list that seems best for you. Hopefully, you found this whole article helpful!
