10 best slow cookers for winter cooking

There are so many kitchen appliances on the market it's hard to keep up. But slow cookers are the best choice for winter-warming meals like soups, stews, casseroles and even a roast.

Slow cookers are easy to navigate no matter your skill level. Made for hands-off cooking, they come in handy during the festive season or in the colder months when winter blues set in. With a 'set it and forget it' usability, you can assemble the meal in the morning, set the timer and come home to a ready-made dinner.

This might sound too good to be true but slow cookers work similar to ovens, allowing for food to be cooked at a low temperature for a long time. The only difference between the two is that a slow cooker requires a little bit of liquid to prevent the bottom from burning. Best of all? They come with a relatively low price tag, which might be why they’ve become a staple in most home cook's kitchens.

What to look for when buying a slow cooker

When cooking for a household of two, you'll only need a 3-4L model but if your family is double in size, go for a 5-8L model. Depending on what you plan to cook, size can matter. Oval-shaped slow cookers are best for longer cuts of meat.

There are several features you won't want to compromise on. Make sure it includes a timer, is dishwasher safe, and has automatic settings so it can reduce the temperature if you've stepped away.

"Food can be left unattended to bubble away in the slow cooker for approximately 8 hours if on the low setting. However, there are slow cookers on the market that have timers which can switch the machine to 'keep warm' at a set time," says Fiona Mair, Choice expert and test coordinator.

Another important but not entirely necessary slow cooker feature is the sear function.

"When cooking with a slow cooker, searing the meat first is very important. This allows the meat to caramelise and more flavour to develop," says Fiona.

Here are our top picks.