Lisa
I have a slow cooker but I most often opt for cooking in the oven. I’m a little biased toward my fabulous 9-quart, Le Crueset, yellow dutch oven. I typically use my slow cooker when I’m making chili, a big pulled pork or anything I want to cook and also keep warm for a crowd. Hello, Super Bowl party!
Both slow cookers and ovens have their strengths, and the choice of which to use depends on the type of dish, the desired outcome, and your schedule. One of my closest friends lives where temps reach over 100 degrees for 5 months of the year. Ouch! I can see why her slow cooker gets a serious a workout in order not to heat up her house. That is certainly a reasonable consideration – and one that me, as a San Francisco resident, is not something I need to worry about.
Maybe because I have worked from home for over two decades, I haven’t leaned on the slow cooker as do many people who prep in the morning, set the crock pot, leave for work, and return home to a hot meal that is ready to eat.
As someone who likes to cook, I also don’t completely understand using a slow cooker to make certain dishes. Why would I cook a “baked” potato for 8 hours when I can do it in the oven in an hour. I get soups, stews, big cuts of meat but pancakes and cheesecake? Maybe I’m missing something here.
So, I thought it might be time to reevaluate and look at when it’s most appropriate and cost-effective to use a slow cooker versus the oven.
A Slow Cooker is Best For:
- Stews, soups, and chilis: Ideal for slow-simmering flavors.
- Braised meats: Perfect for tough cuts like chuck roast, pork shoulder, or short ribs.
- Casseroles: Great for layered dishes like lasagna or breakfast casseroles.
- Legumes and grains: Cook dried beans and hearty grains evenly.
- Desserts: Such as puddings, cobblers, or slow-cooked cakes.
- Batch cooking: Prepare meals for the week with minimal effort.
How It Works:
- Uses low, consistent heat over an extended time (4-10 hours).
- Retains moisture and prevents evaporation, ideal for tenderizing and melding flavors.
Pros:
- Convenience: Set it and forget it; great for busy schedules.
- Energy efficiency: Uses less electricity than an oven.
- Flavor enhancement: Allows ingredients to blend over time.
- Minimal hands-on effort: Ideal for low-maintenance cooking.
Cons:
- Texture limitations: Cannot achieve crispy or browned textures. However, some devices like the Instant Pot have a featur that allows for searing.
- Time-consuming: Not ideal if you need food quickly.
- Limited capacity: Cannot cook large quantities compared to a full oven.
Cost:
- Electricity: A slow cooker uses about 200-300 watts on low for 6-8 hours, costing around $0.10–$0.20 per session (depending on electricity rates).
- Ingredients: Often uses inexpensive cuts of meat and pantry staples, keeping ingredient costs low.
Crockpot SCV700-CH-BR Slow Cooker, 7 quarts,
Original price was: $49.99.$31.49Current price is: $31.49. -37%
Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1: 6 Quart
Original price was: $129.99.$69.99Current price is: $69.99. -46%
The Oven
Best For:
- Roasting meats and vegetables: Achieves caramelization and crispy textures.
- Baking: Ideal for bread, cakes, cookies, and pastries.
- Broiling: Perfect for quick, high-heat cooking like melting cheese or browning.
- Casseroles and gratins: Produces a golden, crunchy topping.
- Quick cooking: Suitable for meals that can be prepared in under an hour.
How It Works:
- Utilizes dry, high heat for roasting, baking, or broiling.
- Offers flexibility in temperature and cooking methods (convection, traditional, or broil settings).
Pros:
- Versatility: Suitable for a wide range of dishes.
- Texture control: Produces crispy, browned, or caramelized results.
- Capacity: Can handle large quantities or multiple dishes at once.
- Quick cooking: Faster than a slow cooker for many recipes.
Cons:
- Energy-intensive: Higher energy consumption compared to a slow cooker.
- Attention required: May need monitoring to prevent overcooking or burning.
Can dry out food: Without proper moisture management, some dishes may become too dry.
