Best Programmable Slow Cooker with Delay Start

 

I have tested some of the most popular slow cookers that can be programmed. My favourite? My favorite? The COMFEE’ 12-in-1 multi-cooker. Its performance and features are unbeatable.

The slow cooker is a must-have kitchen appliance for busy home chefs. My crockpot allows me to make delicious meals all day without standing over a stove.

The most basic slow cookers do not have many features. Because of the space and weight they take up, I want it functional. Programmable slow cookers are my favorite.

The COMFEE Multi-cooker slow cooker is one of our top picks. It offers many functions and produces consistent results.

There are many other options. There are many factors that go into choosing the best slow cooker. However, I have compiled a list of the top programmable slow cookers on the market and analyzed the pros and cons.

Are you ready to discover which slow cooker is best for you? Let’s get started.

Product Reviews: The Best Programmable Slow Cooker With Delay Start

COMFEE’ 12-in-1 Multi-cooker : The Best Value Slow Cooker

This 6-quart slow cooker (5.7 liters) is available from COMFEE and features 12-in-1 functions. This is the only pressure cooker on the list. This pressure cooker can cook enough food for up to six people, making it great to use with families.

There are 12 pre-programmed cooking options. It can cook in pressure, stir, bake, steam, steam, oven, microwave, slow cook and saute.

This slow cooker can also be used as a pressure cooker, slow cooker and saute pan. It can also be used as a yogurt maker, cakemaker, egg cooker, bread maker, seamer and food warmer. You have maximum flexibility with timing thanks to the delay and warm functions.

What about its performance? Customers raved about the results when they tried it with eggs, rice, fish, beef soup and steamed buns.

Even better? The pot-in-pot technique allows you to cook two dishes simultaneously. Place a glass oven-safe serving dish on top. Follow the instructions and add liquid to the bottom.

To help you get cooking quickly, the COMFEE slow cooker comes with a collection of printable recipes. Slow cookers don’t do a great job browning food, so expect a different look from the oven. The taste is excellent.

The steam valve is an important feature of pressure cookers. Pressure cookers need to release steam and pressure after cooking. You need to be careful as steam can quickly get extremely hot.

The pressure limiting valve on the COMFEE slow cooker allows you to safely let go of steam. It also features a lid lock and overheat protection for maximum safety.

The slow cooker’s dishwasher-safe cooking pan makes cleaning easy. This crockpot is extremely affordable so you don’t need to spend a lot to achieve top-quality results.

Pros

• 12 cooking presets
• Multifunctional
• Doubles as a pressure cooker

Cons

• Top browning is not possible with this product.

Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Pressure Slow Cooker: Best Pressure Cooker

This digital 6-quart (5.7-liter) slow cooker can also be used as a pressure cooker and rice cooker, steamer/saute, yogurt maker, sterilizer, or warmer. A dishwasher-safe locking lid is fitted to the stainless steel body.

A 3-quart (2.8-liter) Instant Pot option is also available. For larger families, the 8-quart (7.6 Liter) option is more suitable. There is an Instant Pot Duo for every cooking need.

The Instant Pot Duo is versatile and has many cooking modes. There are separate settings for meat, soup chili, rice and poultry. Many customers prefer the manual setting to have maximum control.

You can use this slow cooker by placing your ingredients in the inner stainless steel pot. The pressure valve should be set to “venting”, instead of “sealing,” which is for pressure cookers. Next, press “slow-cook” to adjust the cooking time. In 10 seconds, the cooking process will begin automatically.

You can set the time when you want to cook your food using the delay start feature. The cooker switches to warm automatically when the timer goes off. This allows you to set it and forget about it.

The learning curve of the Instant Pot is something to be aware of. It can take time to adjust the recipes, determine the correct cooking time and temperature. Once you’re done learning, the fun part is over. Instant Pot is fast becoming one of the most versatile kitchen tools.

Safety is important! When you use the pressure cooking function, steam must be released from the lid via a valve. Natural steam release takes approximately 15 minutes. Or you can do a quick steam release. To protect your hands, you can use oven mitts if you choose to do this. You can get burnt by the steam.

Pros

• Multi-function
• Timer delay
• Automated keep warm

Cons

• Learning curve
• Steam valves can heat up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit

Instant Pot Aura 10 in-1 Multi-cooker : Best Slow Cooker for Sous Vide

This Instant Pot Aura 10-in-1 is available in a 6-quart (5.7-liter) and an 8quart (7.6-liter) options. It’s suitable for most families.

The Instant Pot Aura, unlike the Duo is not a pressure cooker. Many customers purchased the Aura believing it would be similar to the original Instant Pot. They were disappointed. The Instant Pot Duo is a slow cooker that can double as a pressure cooker.

The Aura has a delayed start function and can be set to different temperatures. There are 10 Smart programs: steam, bake, stew, steam, slow cooker, sear/saute rice, yogurt and ferment.

This crockpot has a steam/roasting rack. This is great for multi-layered dishes or draining fat while browning meat. The Aura comes with a glass lid that allows you to monitor the food as it cooks.

Customers have reported great results when roasting chicken and pork. This slow cooker is one of the best for sous vide. Sous-vide is a method of cooking which involves sealing food in a bag or glass jar. Then, you cook the meal at a low heat for a long time in a water bath.

It’s easier to lift the stainless steel liner than ceramic crockpots and it can be washed for the top rack. The downside? It is more likely to stick.

The only problem with this slow cooker is its inability to produce a nice, golden top as you would in an oven. This is true for almost all slow cookers so it’s not unique.

Pros

• Multi-function
• Liner in light weight stainless steel
• Sous vide can produce amazing results

Cons

• It takes up a lot space
• Top browning is not recommended
• Pressure cooker does not double

Kaqiluo 12-In-1 Programmable slow cooker: Best for Accessories

The touchscreen control panel of the Kaqiluo digital slow cook allows for simple programming. This 6-quart (6,7 liter) cooker can hold up to 6 lbs (2.7 kg), of meat.

The inner pot, which is nonstick, can be washed in the dishwasher. This makes it easy to clean. The crockpot comes with a steam rack, steak rack, and a steel fork. This is a lot of stuff for a crockpot.

You can set the cooking time from 5 minutes up to 12 hours and the delay timer from 5 minutes up to 24 hours. This slow cooker heats both from the bottom as well as the sides. This slow cooker heats from the bottom and sides.

You can monitor the food as it cooks with the tempered glass lid. After the cooking time has ended, the slow cooker will switch to warm mode.

Pros

• Control panel for digital touchscreens
• Dishwasher safe for cooking pot
• Accessories

Cons

• It takes up a lot space

Products No Longer Available

Unfortunately, some products that were once available have disappeared from the marketplace since I began these reviews. These products have been included here as information. They weren’t my top recommendation, but they were both good choices!

AICOOK 12-in-1 Multicooker: Ideal for Air Frying

This combo slow cooker/air fryer is from AICOOK. You can choose from 6 cooking modes: steam, rice, stew, yogurt and sear/saute. There are also 6 air fry functions that can be used to broil, bake, roast, or dehydrate.

Multi-cookers are great because they can be used to replace multiple cooking appliances. This saves space and money. They must be reliable and provide all the necessary functions. The AICOOK does just that.

The 6.5-quart slow cooker (6.2 Liters) can hold a whole chicken (or chuck roast) up to 6 pounds (6.9 kg). This is enough to feed a large family.

The lid can be used for quick cooking or as an air fryer lid. Both the glass lid and nonstick inner pot can be washed in the dishwasher.

The digital timer is simple to use. You can delay the cooking process for anywhere from one to 24 hours using the delay button. You can also use the digital timer to control a variety of recipes, with temperatures ranging from 220deg up to 435degF (104deg and 218degC).

This slow cooker features an automatic keep warm setting that will ensure your food stays warm until you are ready to eat.

Pros

• Doubles as an Air Fryer
• It’s easy to use
• Glass lid and inner pot dishwasher safe

Cons

• You can’t adjust the temperature during cooking
• It takes up a lot space

AICOOK 10-in-1 Programmable Slow-Cooker: Ideal for Searing

The AICOOK 6-quart slow cooker (5.7-liter) is housed in a stylish stainless steel case. It comes with a steam rack, and a tempered-glass lid.

The AICOOK slow cooker offers 10 cooking functions, including roast, bake and steam.

Crockpots are great for searing meat or cooking fish. This slow cooker can cook food to perfection at a temperature of 77°F-428°F (22.5°-220°C).

The inner pot is made of stainless steel and dishwasher-safe. You can lift the inner pot with ease thanks to its double cool-touch handles. This slow cooker has a delay function that can last up to 24 hours, just like the others. The slow cooker also keeps the food warm even after it is done cooking.

Some users had trouble controlling the temperature. Some users complained that the crockpot was too hot. I suggested they turn down the heat and go slow to get started.

Pros

• Multi-function
• It works well with seared meats and fish
• Attractive exterior in stainless

Cons

• Reports of inequal temperatures

Buying guide: Programmable Slow Cooker

How can I use a slow cooker to cook?

It is very simple. Simply place the ingredients in the slow cooker and turn the heat to the appropriate setting. Most slow cookers have two heat settings.

A programmable slow cooker allows you to adjust the temperature and time settings but it still follows the same basic principles.

There are many slow cooker recipes, but these general guidelines will help you. This cooking conversion chart will help you determine the right temperatures and times.

You want your meats and hard root vegetables to be placed at the bottom of your crockpot. You can layer any grains and softer vegetables on top of the bottom layer. Pour any liquid on top.

For a pork roast, you can expect to cook for about 1.5 hours per pound. On high, it takes slightly more than 1 hour. A 3-4 lb. For a beef roast weighing between 1.36-1.81kg, plan to cook for 8 hours on low and 6 hours on high.

Chicken takes 75 minutes on low and 1 hour on high. It takes even longer for fish. It should be cooked on low for 1 hour or on high for 30 minutes.

Why am I requiring a delay to start?

Imagine this: A great crockpot recipe has just been discovered. It’s delicious, healthy, and simple to make. It’s so easy to make, and you won’t be able to wait until you see the cooking times. This recipe would need to be put in the slow cooker at 10:30 am, which is right in the middle your work day. You must pass this recipe because it is not an option.

A delay start is not necessary. You can put all the ingredients into the crockpot, and then start the cooking process when you want it to.

Now you can prepare the ingredients before heading to work and set the timer for 10:30 a.m. You will be greeted by the aroma of freshly prepared food when you return from work. It’s so much better than the frozen pizza that you used to make before your delay.

You could also leave the slow cooker on high heat and then turn it off.

However, I do find that the keep warm function can cause food to be a bit too cooked.

How do I use a delay start?

Each of the crock pots in our list has a delay function. You can use this function by pressing the “delay begin” button. Next, enter the time you want to delay cooking. The majority of slow cookers can delay cooking for between 5 and 24 hours.

For example, if you are putting in your ingredients at 8:00 AM and need to have the food ready for cooking at 9:00 AM, you can press the delay button and enter 90 minutes.

Is there a danger to using a delay slow cook?

Food safety is the biggest concern when using delay-feature slow cookers. Raw meat left out at room temperature for longer than two hours can lead to bacteria growth.

This could even be dangerous, even if frozen food is cooked in a crockpot immediately. The Danger Zone is where the food slow thaws in slow cookers. It’s between 40deg-140degF (or 60 to 60 degrees Celsius).

Food should not be consumed if the temperature inside is below 40 degrees F (4°C) or higher than 140°F (60°C). This U.S. Department of Agriculture guide will show you the safest minimum internal temperature for meat. Here are some simple tips to safely use a slow cooker delay-programmable

• When you cook meat, ensure that the crockpot is turned on within two hours.
• Use the warm mode if your goal serve time is immediately after the cooking process has finished.
• Before placing frozen food in the crockpot, let it cool in the fridge overnight.
• To ensure safe internal temperatures, invest in a meat thermometer

However, I don’t use it for cooking meat. It is best used for vegetables like vegetable stews, as the risk is low.

My slow cooker is my favorite. Oatmeal (aka porridge). It is prepared in the evening and served warm to the family for breakfast the next morning.

The Best Programmable Slow Cooker: Last Word

Which slow cooker is the most programmable? The COMFEE 12-in-1 Multicooker is my favorite. Its great performance, excellent reviews, and wide range of functions make this one of the most popular slow cookers.

.Best Programmable Slow Cooker with Delay Start

delay start crock pot

I have tested some of the most popular slow cookers that can be programmed. My favourite? My favorite? The COMFEE’ 12-in-1 multi-cooker. Its performance and features are unbeatable.

The slow cooker is a must-have kitchen appliance for busy home chefs. My crockpot allows me to make delicious meals all day without standing over a stove.

The most basic slow cookers do not have many features. Because of the space and weight they take up, I want it functional. Programmable slow cookers are my favorite.

The COMFEE Multi-cooker slow cooker is one of our top picks. It offers many functions and produces consistent results.

There are many other options. There are many factors that go into choosing the best slow cooker. However, I have compiled a list of the top programmable slow cookers on the market and analyzed the pros and cons.

Are you ready to discover which slow cooker is best for you? Let’s get started.

Product Reviews: The Best Programmable Slow Cooker With Delay Start

COMFEE’ 12-in-1 Multi-cooker : The Best Value Slow Cooker

This 6-quart slow cooker (5.7 liters) is available from COMFEE and features 12-in-1 functions. This is the only pressure cooker on the list. This pressure cooker can cook enough food for up to six people, making it great to use with families.

There are 12 pre-programmed cooking options. It can cook in pressure, stir, bake, steam, steam, oven, microwave, slow cook and saute.

This slow cooker can also be used as a pressure cooker, slow cooker and saute pan. It can also be used as a yogurt maker, cakemaker, egg cooker, bread maker, seamer and food warmer. You have maximum flexibility with timing thanks to the delay and warm functions.

What about its performance? Customers raved about the results when they tried it with eggs, rice, fish, beef soup and steamed buns.

Even better? The pot-in-pot technique allows you to cook two dishes simultaneously. Place a glass oven-safe serving dish on top. Follow the instructions and add liquid to the bottom.

To help you get cooking quickly, the COMFEE slow cooker comes with a collection of printable recipes. Slow cookers don’t do a great job browning food, so expect a different look from the oven. The taste is excellent.

The steam valve is an important feature of pressure cookers. Pressure cookers need to release steam and pressure after cooking. You need to be careful as steam can quickly get extremely hot.

The pressure limiting valve on the COMFEE slow cooker allows you to safely let go of steam. It also features a lid lock and overheat protection for maximum safety.

The slow cooker’s dishwasher-safe cooking pan makes cleaning easy. This crockpot is extremely affordable so you don’t need to spend a lot to achieve top-quality results.

Pros

• 12 cooking presets
• Multifunctional
• Doubles as a pressure cooker

Cons

• Top browning is not possible with this product.

Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Pressure Slow Cooker: Best Pressure Cooker

This digital 6-quart (5.7-liter) slow cooker can also be used as a pressure cooker and rice cooker, steamer/saute, yogurt maker, sterilizer, or warmer. A dishwasher-safe locking lid is fitted to the stainless steel body.

A 3-quart (2.8-liter) Instant Pot option is also available. For larger families, the 8-quart (7.6 Liter) option is more suitable. There is an Instant Pot Duo for every cooking need.

The Instant Pot Duo is versatile and has many cooking modes. There are separate settings for meat, soup chili, rice and poultry. Many customers prefer the manual setting to have maximum control.

You can use this slow cooker by placing your ingredients in the inner stainless steel pot. The pressure valve should be set to “venting”, instead of “sealing,” which is for pressure cookers. Next, press “slow-cook” to adjust the cooking time. In 10 seconds, the cooking process will begin automatically.

You can set the time when you want to cook your food using the delay start feature. The cooker switches to warm automatically when the timer goes off. This allows you to set it and forget about it.

The learning curve of the Instant Pot is something to be aware of. It can take time to adjust the recipes, determine the correct cooking time and temperature. Once you’re done learning, the fun part is over. Instant Pot is fast becoming one of the most versatile kitchen tools.

Safety is important! When you use the pressure cooking function, steam must be released from the lid via a valve. Natural steam release takes approximately 15 minutes. Or you can do a quick steam release. To protect your hands, you can use oven mitts if you choose to do this. You can get burnt by the steam.

Pros

• Multi-function
• Timer delay
• Automated keep warm

Cons

• Learning curve
• Steam valves can heat up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit

Instant Pot Aura 10 in-1 Multi-cooker : Best Slow Cooker for Sous Vide

This Instant Pot Aura 10-in-1 is available in a 6-quart (5.7-liter) and an 8quart (7.6-liter) options. It’s suitable for most families.

The Instant Pot Aura, unlike the Duo is not a pressure cooker. Many customers purchased the Aura believing it would be similar to the original Instant Pot. They were disappointed. The Instant Pot Duo is a slow cooker that can double as a pressure cooker.

The Aura has a delayed start function and can be set to different temperatures. There are 10 Smart programs: steam, bake, stew, steam, slow cooker, sear/saute rice, yogurt and ferment.

This crockpot has a steam/roasting rack. This is great for multi-layered dishes or draining fat while browning meat. The Aura comes with a glass lid that allows you to monitor the food as it cooks.

Customers have reported great results when roasting chicken and pork. This slow cooker is one of the best for sous vide. Sous-vide is a method of cooking which involves sealing food in a bag or glass jar. Then, you cook the meal at a low heat for a long time in a water bath.

It’s easier to lift the stainless steel liner than ceramic crockpots and it can be washed for the top rack. The downside? It is more likely to stick.

The only problem with this slow cooker is its inability to produce a nice, golden top as you would in an oven. This is true for almost all slow cookers so it’s not unique.

Pros

• Multi-function
• Liner in light weight stainless steel
• Sous vide can produce amazing results

Cons

• It takes up a lot space
• Top browning is not recommended
• Pressure cooker does not double

Kaqiluo 12-In-1 Programmable slow cooker: Best for Accessories

The touchscreen control panel of the Kaqiluo digital slow cook allows for simple programming. This 6-quart (6,7 liter) cooker can hold up to 6 lbs (2.7 kg), of meat.

The inner pot, which is nonstick, can be washed in the dishwasher. This makes it easy to clean. The crockpot comes with a steam rack, steak rack, and a steel fork. This is a lot of stuff for a crockpot.

You can set the cooking time from 5 minutes up to 12 hours and the delay timer from 5 minutes up to 24 hours. This slow cooker heats both from the bottom as well as the sides. This slow cooker heats from the bottom and sides.

You can monitor the food as it cooks with the tempered glass lid. After the cooking time has ended, the slow cooker will switch to warm mode.

Pros

• Control panel for digital touchscreens
• Dishwasher safe for cooking pot
• Accessories

Cons

• It takes up a lot space

Products No Longer Available

Unfortunately, some products that were once available have disappeared from the marketplace since I began these reviews. These products have been included here as information. They weren’t my top recommendation, but they were both good choices!

AICOOK 12-in-1 Multicooker: Ideal for Air Frying

This combo slow cooker/air fryer is from AICOOK. You can choose from 6 cooking modes: steam, rice, stew, yogurt and sear/saute. There are also 6 air fry functions that can be used to broil, bake, roast, or dehydrate.

Multi-cookers are great because they can be used to replace multiple cooking appliances. This saves space and money. They must be reliable and provide all the necessary functions. The AICOOK does just that.

The 6.5-quart slow cooker (6.2 Liters) can hold a whole chicken (or chuck roast) up to 6 pounds (6.9 kg). This is enough to feed a large family.

The lid can be used for quick cooking or as an air fryer lid. Both the glass lid and nonstick inner pot can be washed in the dishwasher.

The digital timer is simple to use. You can delay the cooking process for anywhere from one to 24 hours using the delay button. You can also use the digital timer to control a variety of recipes, with temperatures ranging from 220deg up to 435degF (104deg and 218degC).

This slow cooker features an automatic keep warm setting that will ensure your food stays warm until you are ready to eat.

Pros

• Doubles as an Air Fryer
• It’s easy to use
• Glass lid and inner pot dishwasher safe

Cons

• You can’t adjust the temperature during cooking
• It takes up a lot space

AICOOK 10-in-1 Programmable Slow-Cooker: Ideal for Searing

The AICOOK 6-quart slow cooker (5.7-liter) is housed in a stylish stainless steel case. It comes with a steam rack, and a tempered-glass lid.

The AICOOK slow cooker offers 10 cooking functions, including roast, bake and steam.

Crockpots are great for searing meat or cooking fish. This slow cooker can cook food to perfection at a temperature of 77°F-428°F (22.5°-220°C).

The inner pot is made of stainless steel and dishwasher-safe. You can lift the inner pot with ease thanks to its double cool-touch handles. This slow cooker has a delay function that can last up to 24 hours, just like the others. The slow cooker also keeps the food warm even after it is done cooking.

Some users had trouble controlling the temperature. Some users complained that the crockpot was too hot. I suggested they turn down the heat and go slow to get started.

Pros

• Multi-function
• It works well with seared meats and fish
• Attractive exterior in stainless

Cons

• Reports of inequal temperatures

Buying guide: Programmable Slow Cooker

How can I use a slow cooker to cook?

It is very simple. Simply place the ingredients in the slow cooker and turn the heat to the appropriate setting. Most slow cookers have two heat settings.

A programmable slow cooker allows you to adjust the temperature and time settings but it still follows the same basic principles.

There are many slow cooker recipes, but these general guidelines will help you. This cooking conversion chart will help you determine the right temperatures and times.

You want your meats and hard root vegetables to be placed at the bottom of your crockpot. You can layer any grains and softer vegetables on top of the bottom layer. Pour any liquid on top.

For a pork roast, you can expect to cook for about 1.5 hours per pound. On high, it takes slightly more than 1 hour. A 3-4 lb. For a beef roast weighing between 1.36-1.81kg, plan to cook for 8 hours on low and 6 hours on high.

Chicken takes 75 minutes on low and 1 hour on high. It takes even longer for fish. It should be cooked on low for 1 hour or on high for 30 minutes.

Why am I requiring a delay to start?

Imagine this: A great crockpot recipe has just been discovered. It’s delicious, healthy, and simple to make. It’s so easy to make, and you won’t be able to wait until you see the cooking times. This recipe would need to be put in the slow cooker at 10:30 am, which is right in the middle your work day. You must pass this recipe because it is not an option.

A delay start is not necessary. You can put all the ingredients into the crockpot, and then start the cooking process when you want it to.

Now you can prepare the ingredients before heading to work and set the timer for 10:30 a.m. You will be greeted by the aroma of freshly prepared food when you return from work. It’s so much better than the frozen pizza that you used to make before your delay.

You could also leave the slow cooker on high heat and then turn it off.

However, I do find that the keep warm function can cause food to be a bit too cooked.

How do I use a delay start?

Each of the crock pots in our list has a delay function. You can use this function by pressing the “delay begin” button. Next, enter the time you want to delay cooking. The majority of slow cookers can delay cooking for between 5 and 24 hours.

For example, if you are putting in your ingredients at 8:00 AM and need to have the food ready for cooking at 9:00 AM, you can press the delay button and enter 90 minutes.

Is there a danger to using a delay slow cook?

Food safety is the biggest concern when using delay-feature slow cookers. Raw meat left out at room temperature for longer than two hours can lead to bacteria growth.

This could even be dangerous, even if frozen food is cooked in a crockpot immediately. The Danger Zone is where the food slow thaws in slow cookers. It’s between 40deg-140degF (or 60 to 60 degrees Celsius).

Food should not be consumed if the temperature inside is below 40 degrees F (4°C) or higher than 140°F (60°C). This U.S. Department of Agriculture guide will show you the safest minimum internal temperature for meat. Here are some simple tips to safely use a slow cooker delay-programmable

• When you cook meat, ensure that the crockpot is turned on within two hours.
• Use the warm mode if your goal serve time is immediately after the cooking process has finished.
• Before placing frozen food in the crockpot, let it cool in the fridge overnight.
• To ensure safe internal temperatures, invest in a meat thermometer

However, I don’t use it for cooking meat. It is best used for vegetables like vegetable stews, as the risk is low.

My slow cooker is my favorite. Oatmeal (aka porridge). It is prepared in the evening and served warm to the family for breakfast the next morning.

The Best Programmable Slow Cooker: Last Word

Which slow cooker is the most programmable? The COMFEE 12-in-1 Multicooker is my favorite. Its great performance, excellent reviews, and wide range of functions make this one of the most popular slow cookers.