When you’re purchasing a new crock pot, there are several factors you should consider. You need to know what type, size, and shape would fit your needs best and provide you with the best and most enjoyable experience.
However, if this is your first time buying or using a crock pot and you don’t know where to start, don’t worry! We’re here to walk you through all there is to know about crock pots, their size, and more!
Struggling to find info about crock pots and wasting hours or days researching on your own is no one’s idea of a good time. That is why we provide you with a short and easy-to-read guide with all the crock pot-related info you could need. The best part is that reading it will take less than 10 minutes! Let’s begin!
What Is a Crock Pot?
Before we get into explaining the differences in size and shape when it comes to crock pots, you should know precisely what this appliance is and how it works. That is why we’ll provide you with that info first.
A crock pot is an electrical cooking appliance that the majority of people have in their kitchen. It is also known as a slow cooker, and the name tells us what this appliance can do for you.
Slowly cooking your food or simmering it at low temperatures is this appliance’s forte. The best part about this appliance is that you can let your food simmer and cook unattended. You can go deal with your other tasks or chores, and your crock pot will still do its magic.
Talk about multitasking! The ventilation that most of these appliances boast will protect them from overheating and make cooking the food unattended possible.
How Does a Crock Pot Work?
Now, let’s get into how a crock pot works. The main thing that makes cooking with a crock pot different that cooking in your oven is the temperature.
While your oven works at an exact temperature, the crock pot doesn’t. It typically works at two temperature settings, which include low and high. The heat is also maintained longer, and that is what allows the food in it to cook evenly.
One of the biggest benefits of making your food using a crock pot is that it will keep all the moisture and juiciness.
If you want your meal to be tender, juicy, and full of flavors, using your crock pot at a lower temperature is the way to go. Although it will probably take longer to prepare your dish, it will certainly pay off and give you a delicious meal full of nutrients.
How Big of a Crock Pot Do I Need?
When it comes to the appropriate size of your crock pot, you need to consider what you want to use the appliance for. The available sizes vary wildly based on the brand, so you can find bigger or smaller ones according to your needs and not settle for an appliance that can barely get the job done. Take a look at the table below to see what the most common crock pot sizes you can get are:
| Crock Pot Size | Description |
| 1-2 quarts | If you plan on cooking for only yourself or for one to two people, getting a 1-2 quart crock pot would be a good call. These aren’t fit for making big meals |
| 3-4 quarts | As for 3-4 quart crock pots, they are excellent for making a few portions of bigger meals |
| 5-6 quarts | This crock pot can be used to make meals for your entire family or for 5-6 people. You can use it to cook a smaller chicken as well |
| 7+ quarts | The 7-quart crock pots are a perfect choice if you plan on cooking for a large number of people, and you can use them to cook meat, turkey, chicken, and other large cuts of meat |
In some cases, the crock pot sizes will be shown in liters or cups. If you’re wondering how many cups or liters your slow cooker can hold, you can look at the list below to find out:
- 1 quart—1 liter (4 cups)
- 2 quarts—1.9 liters (8 cups)
- 3 quarts—2.8 liters (12 cups)
- 4 quarts—3.8 liters (16 cups)
- 5 quarts—4.7 liters (20 cups)
- 6 quarts—5.7 liters (24 cups)
- 7 quarts—6.6 liters (28 cups)
- 8 quarts—7.6 liters (32 cups)
What Foods Can I Cook in a Crock Pot?
Once you get your crock pot, you will probably be curious about what foods you can make using it. The truth is that the options are endless. There is no shortage of tasty meals you can prepare using your slow cooker, including a variety of meats.
You should not, however, that using your crock pot for meals that should be made on the heat in a short time is not a good call. You can’t use it for frying, but you can definitely use it for any recipe that involves cooking on low heat, such as:
- Pot roast
- Chicken
- Tacos
- Pork chops
- Tortilla soup
- French dip sandwiches
- Chicken alfredo sandwiches
- Potato soup
- Stew
- Pulled pork
- Casserole
- Lasagna
- Dumplings
The meals we listed above are only some of which you can prepare using your slow cooker. There is no limit when it comes to the foods you can make with your crock pot, so get creative and start preparing tasty and delicious treats right away! And don’t forget to use our size guide to get the perfect crock pot that fits all your needs!
Conclusion
Finding a crock pot that is the perfect size for your needs is essential to make delicious meals. If you’re planning on using your slow cooker often, it is especially important to get one that features the exact size you need.
That is why you should pay close attention to our guide and use it to your full advantage. Why bother wasting time when you can find your perfect crock pot using our guide in less than 10 minutes? Forget about any struggles and start cooking right away!
