Your next family gathering is around the corner and you’re thinking of bringing your famous slow cooker pot roast. The only problem is your slow cooker is not nearly big enough to feed a family of five not to mention your whole extended family.
So, what to do? You go on the internet and look for the best extra-large slow cookers. But which one to choose? There are a lot of things to keep in mind when looking for a slow cooker. For instance, how much space will it take up on your countertop? Will you be able to store it in your cabinet? Can you use it for anything other than slow cooking? Can I afford it? What should you choose?! Don’t start pulling hair. We’ve got you covered.
What is the biggest slow cooker you can buy
Slow cookers are one of those appliances of different shapes and sizes. Depending on your preferences you may choose an oval-shaped or a round-shaped slow cooker. But when it comes to size it’s a bit more complicated.
You see, slow cookers can come in many different sizes and capacities. It can come in a 1.5-quart capacity which is perfect for personal use, as it can only feed 1 to 2 persons.
But if you have a big family or are planning to cook for a large group of people the biggest one you can buy in the market is a 10-quart capacity slow cooker. It can easily fit a 10-pound turkey or a 12-pound roast perfectly. and can feed no less than 12 people.
Best Extra-Large Slow Cookers – Product review
We’ve researched and reviewed all the best extra large slow cooker in the market and come up with a short in terms of capacity, value, functionality, and footprint.
To come up with our top picks, we first gathered the top-rated brands on the market and proceeded to conduct thorough research on all of them. Including but not limited to product information, frequently asked questions (FAQs), and especially customer reviews.
Here are our best Extra-Large Slow Cookers for your Next Family Gathering.
1. Best Capacity: Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker
In terms of capacity, no slow cooker compares to the Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker Extra Large. As the name suggests it is “Extra Large” with a whopping 10-quart capacity. Higher than most slow cookers on the market.
It can easily fit a 10-pound turkey or a 12-pound roast perfect for that big family gathering. The oval-shaped stoneware crock can better accommodate whole poultry, fillets of fish, and joints of meats. It has Full-grip handles for easy carrying and a Clip-tight sealed lid to help prevent spillage when you are on your way to wherever you need to be.
The glass lid will allow you to see the progress of your dish. It is also very easy and simple to clean as the stoneware crock is removable. And same as the glass lid it is also dishwasher safe making cleaning up a little less bothersome.
It is also the cheapest slow cooker on this list. so if you only care about the large capacity and not much for the functionality this slow cooker is for you.
Why you should buy it:
Its capacity is one the highest in the market and is large enough to feed 12+ people. The oval shape is perfect for cooking whole chicken and big slabs of meat. It is also very cheap.
Setbacks:
It only has 3 temperature settings. High, Low, and Warm. It isn’t much you can do with those settings except cook your food in high or low and set it to warm after you’re done. It also doesn’t have an indicator, so you can’t know without approaching if it’s on or warming up and you would have to use an external timing method as the cooker doesn’t have one.
Related product review: Best Mini Slow Cookers
2. Smallest Footprint: Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 slow Cooker
The way we see it size does matter when it comes to slow cookers. A large slow cooker can take a lot of space on your countertop, valuable space you can use to prepare your ingredients. That is where the Instant Pot Duo shines.
For its 8-quart capacity, it is one of the most compact slow cookers on the market. Its dimensions of 14.8 x 13.18 x 10.4 inches make it easy to be stored in your cabinet together with all your pots and pans. It’s only one of the lightest for its capacity at 10.14 pounds.
Not only is it compact, but it also has 7-in-1 Functionality. Aside from using it as a slow cooker you can also use it as a pressure cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, sauté’ pan, and food warmer. It also has a quick one-touch cooking function.
Pre-programmed to cook ribs, soups, beans, rice, chicken, yogurt, and more. The stainless steel sides are fingerprint-resistant. And the lid, inner pot, and accessories are all dishwasher safe for quick and easy clean-up.
Furthermore, the slow cooker also includes over 10 safety features, plus overheat protection and safe-locking lead so you can cook without worrying.
Why you should buy it:
It’s compact and can be easily stored if you do not want it to be constantly on your countertop. It is also programmable for easy operation. and has fairly versatile functionality with over 10 safety features to boot!
Setbacks:
The inner pot is not non-stick. While it is stainless steel and dishwasher safe it can still be a bit of a hassle to clean as food debris can still stick to it. You might have to use a bit of elbow grease to remove stubborn debris. And nobody wants that.
3. Best Functionality: Ninja FD401 Foodi 12-in-1 Deluxe XL
Let’s be honest, nobody likes a one-trick pony. A good kitchen appliance should have multiple functions to justify buying it. Being able to slow cook roast beef and air fry some French fries right after in the same appliance should be a dream but it’s not.
The Ninja Foodi Deluxe boasts a 12-in-1 versatility in which you can do almost anything! You can Pressure Cook, Air Fry/Air Crisp, Steam, Slow Cook, Yogurt, Sear/Sauté, Bake, Roast, Broil, Dehydrate, Sous Vide & Keep Warm. What more can you ask for? How about a technology to quickly pressure cook ingredients to lock in juices while giving a crispy, golden air-fryer finish? The Ninja Foodi also trademarked a Tendercrisp technology to do just that!
It also includes a deluxe reversible rack where you can steam, broil or Tendercrisp up to 8 chicken breasts! Also, an 8-quart pot and a 5-quart cook and crisp basket, both ceramic coated, non-stick, and dishwasher safe but also very easy to hand-wash. It also has 14 safety features to give you peace of mind while cooking. Because who doesn’t want that?
Why you should buy it:
It is a beast of functionality, with over 12 functions in a single appliance. Both inner pot and basket accessories are ceramic coated, non-stick and dishwasher safe making it really easy to clean.
Setbacks:
It is a bit pricey but considering its versatility we think it justifies its price. And it is also heavy with an item weight of 26.04 pounds. You’re going to have to lift with your knees just to put it on your countertop. Furthermore, while it is easy to hand-wash, you’re going to have to be careful cleaning the pot and the basket as ceramic coatings can be easily damaged.
4. Best Value: Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker
The Instant Pot Pro is arguably one of the best Extra Large Slow Cookers in the market. While it does not have the 10-quart capacity of the Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker it is a lot more versatile. Having a 10-in-1 functionality. Aside from slow cooking, the Instant Pot Pro can pressure cook, sous vide, sauté, sterilize, make yogurt, warm your food, bake, and steam. And although the Ninja Foodi can do a lot, this kitchen appliance can do almost the same thing but is cheaper! it also includes 28 customizable cooking program settings to perfectly cook your desired dish every time and you can also program your own setting for your own special recipe! It also uses less energy as it is only 1200 watts.
And if you’re tired of the loud and messy steam release of other pressure cookers, it also has a gentle steam release feature to reduce noise and prevent countertop splashes.
And not to mention it also has 11-plus PROVEN SAFETY FEATURES: Overheat Protection, a safe locking lid.
Why you should buy it:
It’s the Goldilocks of slow cookers. It has a large enough capacity to feed large groups of people, it is versatile, it’s programmable for easy operation, has a lot of safety features, and uses less energy than most slow cookers on the market. all while being reasonably priced.
Setbacks:
The same as the Instant Pot Duo, the inner pot is stainless steel and not non-stick. So when you’re cooking particularly sticky food you’re going to have a hard time.
What to consider when looking for a best extra large slow cooker
With the sheer number of slow cookers on the market, it is going to be difficult to find one that’ll fit your needs. While all slow cookers have their own merits, there are a few factors to consider. This buying guide will help you choose the best addition to your kitchen arsenal.
Capacity: The main thing people consider when shopping for slow cookers is their capacity and how much food they can cook in them. Slow cookers can range from 1.5-quart up to 10-quart capacity. It really comes down to how big your family is and how much you need to feed.
Lids: Okay, we know this seems like a small thing to look out for in a slow cooker, but there are a lot of different types of lids out there. and it’s actually helpful to know what kind of lid you want your slow cooker to have. For instance, a glass lid will allow you to look at your meal while it’s cooking. It’s especially useful when your slow cooker doesn’t have a timer and you need a visual check. and on the other hand, most multi-purpose slow cookers have lids that seal in the pressure, this helps the food cook faster and makes it more tender.
Portability: Let’s be honest, you’re looking for an extra-large slow cooker to be able to cook a large amount of food to feed a lot of people. Cooking a large meal requires a large container. But what if you don’t have any? That is why portability is important. Wouldn’t it be more convenient if you could just bring the slow cooker to your next family gathering?
Versatility: In the past, slow cookers were limited to just slow cooking. Today, it’s common for a slow cooker to be able to do more than just that. Most slow cookers on the market boast a wide range of functionality, from pressure cooking, steaming, broiling, and even air frying. So when choosing a slow cooker it is important to ask yourself whether you want all the extra functionality. And let’s be honest, we know you do.
Inner Pot: The inner pot is one the most important parts of a slow cooker, it is where all your ingredients go to be cooked. That is why it is vital to know what kind of inner pot a slow cooker has when choosing to buy one. There are usually two types of inner pots, Ceramic or Stainless steel. Ceramic-type inner pots cook more evenly than their counterparts and are also good at retaining heat and are easy to clean, the only downside is that they’re heavy. Stainless steel types are usually found on slow cookers with saute or sear options and they’re lighter than ceramic so they can be easily transported.
Control: Slow cookers are generally split into two categories for operation and it really depends on what you prefer when it comes to choosing between the two. For instance, if you want simplicity and none of the complexity of buttons. you may choose the manual type, it usually only has one knob for control. and choose amongst three settings; high, low, or warm. but if you want complex and modern, perfectly cooked meals at the press of a button. The programmable type is for you.
Final thoughts:
After our review, we can recommend that The Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker is the Best Extra Large Slow Cooker. And if you’re thinking of purchasing one, you should give this one a shot.
The reason is, it is the one with the best value for its versatility and utility. It’s programmable and provides an easier user experience, it has a large capacity but is not too heavy and does not consume a lot of energy. and all the safety features guarantee you will have peace of mind while cooking.
Regardless, all the Extra Large Slow Cookers on our list are perfect for providing large amounts of delicious food to large numbers of people. So no matter which one you choose, we know you will be the star of your next family gathering!