A piece of beef shin in the pot at eight in the morning. At six in the evening, pulled beef that falls apart as soon as you point a fork at it. And you didn't have to lift a finger all day. That's the whole idea behind a Crockpot.
The thing is: there are twelve different Crockpots in the collection and they all slow cook. The difference comes down to four things: the size, the material of the inner pot, how much you set yourself and whether it can also pressure cook. We put them side by side, including the questions that keep popping up online.
Why low & slow tastes so much better
Crockpot is the brand that made slow cooking big. The principle is a low, constant temperature at which the contents of the pot never rise above the boiling point of water. This lets the connective tissue in tough cuts of meat break down gently into gelatine. That's exactly why braising steak from the slow cooker falls apart, while the same cut in a scorching hot pan turns as tough as a bicycle tyre.
That gives you two things. It needs hardly any supervision: fill it in the morning, eat in the evening. A classic slow cooker runs on around 200 to 220 watts, comparable to a few light bulbs. An electric oven uses 2,000 to 2,200 watts, so roughly ten times as much. Crockpot itself claims savings of up to 40% compared with the same meal in the oven. And because no moisture escapes, the aromas stay in the pot instead of in your extractor hood.
To be fair: a slow cooker won't give you a crispy crust. If you want colour on your meat, sear it first. Add delicate ingredients like fresh herbs and fish only in the last half hour, or they'll cook themselves to oblivion. Stir in dairy such as cream, yoghurt or crème fraîche only in the last 15 minutes, or it will curdle.
The questions we hear most often
1. So what's the difference between Low and High?
The time the appliance needs to come up to temperature. Low and High both end up around simmering point. On High you're there in three to four hours, on Low it takes seven to eight. For tough meat like beef shin, shoulder or short ribs, choose Low, because connective tissue simply needs time. In a hurry? High works fine, but expect a slightly less tender result.
2. What size do I need?
A slow cooker works best when it's half to two-thirds full. Too empty means burning at the edges, too full means boiling over. Rule of thumb:
- 2.4 litres: 2 to 3 people
- 3.5 litres: 3 to 4 people
- 4.7 litres: 4 to 5 people
- 5.6 to 5.7 litres: 5 to 6 people
- 6.5 litres: 6 to 8 people, or a weekend of meal prep for the freezer
Torn between two sizes? Choose the largest one you'll still regularly fill halfway. On some pages Crockpot itself allows up to three-quarters full, but up to two-thirds you're always fine.
3. Can I leave it on when I go out?
Yes, that's what they're made for! The low power keeps the fire risk small. Just follow the basic rules: place it on a clear, heat-resistant surface, don't let the cord hang over the edge, check that cord and plug are undamaged and don't fill the pot to the brim. Models with a timer automatically switch to keep-warm when done. The CR061 and CR507 switch off by themselves after six hours of keeping warm. Note: the keep-warm setting is meant to keep cooked food at temperature, not to cook in. We advise using it for no longer than four hours, so your food doesn't drop into the unsafe temperature zone.
4. Why is my stew so watery?
This is by far the most frequently asked question, and the cause is almost always the same. Hardly anything evaporates in a slow cooker: the lid seals, condensation drips back and your ingredients release moisture of their own. Adapting an oven recipe? Halve the liquid. Still too thin? Take the lid off for the last half hour, or thicken with a slurry of flour or cornflour.
5. Do I have to sear the meat first?
You don't have to, but it really makes a difference. Searing triggers the Maillard reaction, giving colour, depth and a richer gravy. That's exactly why Crockpot has models whose inner pot can go on the hob itself. Saves you an extra frying pan in the sink.
6. Why shouldn't I keep lifting the lid?
Every time you peek, the built-up heat escapes and it takes 15 to 20 minutes for the appliance to get back up to temperature. So keep the lid on, even if you're itching to look.
7. Is everything dishwasher-safe?
With the stoneware and ceramic models, the inner pot and glass lid simply go in the dishwasher. The Express Pots (CR051, CR089 and CR062) are different: wash their non-stick aluminium inner pot by hand and don't use metal utensils in it. If in doubt, always check the manual for your model. Wipe the housing with a damp cloth; it never goes in water.
Also watch out for temperature shocks. For the Sizzle & Stew models, Crockpot advises letting the appliance come to room temperature for 24 hours after delivery, which isn't a bad idea anyway. And never put a cold inner pot into an already preheated base.
The range: where the differences lie
Small but mighty: 2.4 and 3.5 litres
For two to four people, or if you simply don't want to give up half your worktop. The Black Digital 2.4L (CR061) is the smallest of the family: a stoneware pot that can go in the oven and the microwave, a timer up to 20 hours and automatic switch-off after six hours of keeping warm. The Black Digital 3.5L (CR113) follows the same philosophy, one size up.
The Sizzle & Stew Digital 3.5L (CR111) is the odd one out in this group. Instead of stoneware it has an aluminium inner pot that can go on the hob. Searing and slow cooking happen in the same pot, so there's only one to wash.
For the whole family: 4.7 to 5.7 litres
The Black 4.7L (CR507) is the no-nonsense family slow cooker: stoneware pot, oven- and microwave-safe, one-touch operation and a timer up to 20 hours. Big enough for a pot of chili, a hearty pea soup or pulled pork for the whole crew.
The Black with hinged lid 4.7L (CR052) solves a small but persistent annoyance. The hinged lid is attached to the appliance, so no more dripping lid on your worktop when you stir or serve. Detach it for the dishwasher.
The Next Gen 5.7L (CR605) goes one size up, with a ceramic bowl that can go in both the oven and the microwave.
Big and smart: 5.6 and 6.5 litres
The Sizzle & Stew 6.5L (CR112) is the largest in the line and pairs that with the aluminium inner pot that works on gas, induction, ceramic and electric hobs. Searing, putting it back and cooking on all happen in the same pot. Good for six to eight people. Mind you: this is a big one, so measure your cupboard space before you order.
The Time Select 5.6L (CR066) turns the thinking around. Instead of a cooking time, you set the end time and indicate what's in the pot: meat, poultry, soup or vegetables. The appliance works backwards to the right temperature and time. The stoneware inner pot is ovenproof.
The all-rounders: Multicooker and Express Pot
Here you leave pure slow cooking behind. The Multicooker 5.6L (CR024) is a 5-in-1 with five preset functions: sautéing, slow cooking, roasting, baking and steaming. You can also roast in it at an adjustable temperature of 65 to 230 °C, and it comes with a two-height rack. There's no pressure involved, but you can easily bake a loaf of bread in it.
The Express Pot 5.6L (CR051) adds pressure cooking: up to 70% faster than traditional cooking, with eight preset settings for rice, risotto, soup, stew, yoghurt, desserts and slow cooking, among others, and twelve cooking functions in total. The same machine is also available with steamer basket and tongs (CR089).
The Turbo Express Pot 5.6L (CR062) is the top version: pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming, sautéing, sous vide, yoghurt and sterilising, plus a Turbo mode up to 20% faster than the standard Express Pot and a keep-warm function of up to four hours.
One honest caveat. If you're purely after the very best stew, a classic slow cooker with a stoneware pot remains the purest choice. You buy an Express Pot because it replaces three other appliances on your worktop, not because it stews better.
All models side by side
| Model | Capacity | Inner pot | Stands out for |
| Black Digital CR061 | 2,4 L (2-3 pers.) | Stoneware, oven and microwave | Smallest model, 20-hour timer, auto-off after 6 hours keep-warm |
| Black Digital CR113 | 3,5 L (3-4 pers.) | Stoneware, ovenproof | Digital display with remaining cooking time |
| Sizzle & Stew Digital CR111 | 3,5 L (3-4 pers.) | Aluminium, hob-safe | Sear and slow cook in the same pot |
| Black CR507 | 4,7 L (4-5 pers.) | Stoneware, oven and microwave | One-touch operation, timer up to 20 hours |
| Hinged lid CR052 | 4,7 L (4-5 pers.) | Stoneware, ovenproof | Hinged lid, detachable and dishwasher-safe |
| Next Gen CR605 | 5,7 L (± 6 pers.) | Ceramic, oven and microwave | Programmable timer up to 20 hours |
| Time Select CR066 | 5,6 L (5-6 pers.) | Stoneware, ovenproof | You set the end time, the appliance works backwards |
| Sizzle & Stew CR112 | 6,5 L (6-8 pers.) | Aluminium, all heat sources | Largest model, sear in the same pot |
| Multicooker CR024 | 5,6 L (± 6 pers.) | Aluminium with non-stick coating | 5-in-1, 65-230 °C, incl. two-height rack |
| Express Pot CR051 | 5,6 L (4-6 pers.) | Aluminium with non-stick coating | Pressure cooking, up to 70% faster, 8 preset settings |
| Express Pot CR089 | 5,6 L (4-6 pers.) | Aluminium with non-stick coating | Same machine as the CR051, incl. steamer basket and tongs |
| Turbo Express Pot CR062 | 5,6 L (4-6 pers.) | Aluminium with non-stick coating | Turbo mode, sous vide and yoghurt, keep warm up to 4 hours |
What we recommend
As a guideline: cooking for two? The CR061 or CR113 is plenty. Like to sear first? A Sizzle & Stew (CR111 or CR112) saves you a pan to wash every time. For everyday family meals, the CR507 or CR605 works brilliantly. Want dinner ready the moment you walk in? Look at the Time Select CR066. And if you're after one appliance that also pressure cooks and steams, you'll end up with the Express Pot CR051 or the Turbo CR062.
Recipes to get you started
A slow cooker is only as good as what you put in it. Het Crock-Pot Boek takes you through the seasons and kitchens from all over the world. The SLOW Receptenboek contains more than sixty recipes, from breakfast to dessert, developed especially for the Crock-Pot. A true kitchen boss lets the appliance do the work and takes the credit.
Buy Crockpot at Culicartel
At Culicartel you'll find the complete Crockpot collection, from the compact 2.4 litre to the Turbo Express Pot. Alongside the webshop, we have a real cookware shop in Maassluis, with a team that cooks themselves. Feel free to drop by to see and lift the models side by side, or view them online on our Crockpot collection page.
Still not sure which model suits your kitchen? Send our customer service a message, we're happy to help you choose. ✌🏼