The word "crockpot" has become a generic word for slow cookers. Construction: Crock- Pot and Crock- Pot- style slow cookers have a ceramic or porcelain pot that sits inside the heating unit. Some, although not all, slow cookers of this type are heated from the bottom as well as around the sides of the pot. The pot can also be round or oval, and comes in various sizes. Heat settings: Crock- Pots have just two heat settings — LOW wattage (bringing them to temperatures in the range of 2.
F) and HIGH wattage (bringing them to temperatures in the range of 3. F). Some also have a third, lower- wattage, warming option. Read more about how this style of slow cookers works in this article from Hamilton Beach.) Cooking: While powered on, Crock- Pots and Crock- Pot- style slow cookers cook continuously. Some models also have a timer to allow cooking for a specific amount of time.
Read more about the history of Crock- Pots and this style of slow cooker: From humble to high tech, a slow cooker historyat CNET. A different style of slow cooker. Image credit: Amazon. Other Types of Slow Cookers. Not all slow cookers are Crock- Pots. There are commercial- style slow cookers; have some distinct characteristics that are not shared by Crock- Pots or Crock- Pot- style slow cookers. Branding: "Slow cooker" is not a brand name; it refers simply to the appliance.
There are numerous manufacturers of other sorts of slow cookers. Construction: Some slow cookers, like the one pictured above, have a metal pot that sits on topof the heating unit (instead of inside a "crock," or heating unit). The pot is heated solely from the bottom. Since the heat is concentrated on the bottom of the pot, food may cook slower than in a Crock- Pot, has a greater chance of scorching on the bottom, and must be stirred more often.
The additional stirring requires the lid to be opened more frequently, releasing heat and extending the cooking time. Heat settings: These styles of slow cookers usually have heat settings that go beyond just low, high, and warm. Most have a range of five heat settings. Cooking: These bottom- heated slow cookers can work in cycles, powering on and off during cooking. Some models also have a timer to allow cooking for a specific amount of time.
Read more about what sets traditional slow cookers apart: The Difference Between a Crockpot and a Slow Cooker at e. How. Why the Confusion? The main source of confusion is that most products on the market labeled as "slow cookers" actually have the traits of a Crock- Pot- style slow cooker — a ceramic bowl set inside the heating unit, with low and high heat settings. As consumers, when we search for and buy a slow cooker, what comes to mind isn't the bottom- heated, more commercial- style unit that's talked about and pictured above. Instead it's a Crock- Pot- style slow cooker, labeled simply as "slow cooker.". When it comes to cooking, you can use either.
While Crock- Pot is just a brand name, Crock- Pots, Crock- Pot- style slow cookers, and other types of slow cookers will all get the job done. Across brands and styles of slow cookers, they all have one thing in common: they cook low and slow, and do the work while you're away. Crock- Pot and Slow Cooker Recipes.