How to save money by using a slow cooker

If you don’t have a slow cooker yet, do yourself a favour and get one.

Lindy Lawler

2 min read

May 25, 2022 - 10:40AM

Slow-cooker minestrone

There are so many benefits to having one that really they can be considered a kitchen saviour. You can make delicious, hearty winter stews and soups, but you can also use your slow cooker to create mouthwatering desserts and porridges. Plus, there are plenty of ways a slow cooker can help save you money in the long run.

Does a slow cooker take a lot of electricity?

You’ll be happy to know that slow cookers use very little electricity, which means they are extremely energy efficient appliances to keep in your kitchen. Most slow cookers can be left to cook your food for hours, even all day, and will use about the same amount of energy as a standard light bulb, or about 0.7kWh over the eight hours.

Old-Fashioned Slow Cooker Rice Pudding recipe

A slow cooker is a perfect appliance to have when prices begin to rise. It allows you to draw the nutrients out of inexpensive staples and cheaper cuts of meat.

Use inexpensive meat cuts and pantry staples

The slow-cooking facility brings out the flavours and helps break down meat into delicious morsels that are simple to digest. Root veggies, pulses and legumes are just a handful of ingredients that can be added to the slow cooker. They’re very affordable and can be kept in the pantry for long periods. You will always have something nutritious to throw in the crockpot. This slow-cooker braised steak and onion dish is a good example.

Slow Cooker Braised Steak and Onions

Eat at Chez Moi

Having a meal made in the slow cooker will also eliminate the urge to eat out. Try this slow cooker beef madras for dinner tonight. If you start in the morning, a hearty, nutritious meal can be ready by dinnertime, putting more money into your pocket by eating at Chez Moi.

Slow-Cooked Indian Madras Beef Curry recipe

Use your slow cooker to meal prep

Preparing meals ahead means you’ll not only save money, but you’ll save time too. Slow cookers are your go-to appliance when it comes to meal prep. You can spend a day slow-cooking a month’s worth of your favourite meals, like this slow cooker pork stew, then simply package them in meal prep containers and pop them in the freezer. The only future costs will be your reheating efforts.

Slow cooker pork stew

Reduce waste from cooking mistakes

The longer cooking time and the lower cooking temperature of a slow cooker mean less opportunity to burn a dish and throw it away. Meals like this slow cooker beef and mushroom casserole are a breeze to make in the crockpot but can be enhanced by browning on the stove beforehand if you wish.

Slow Cooker Beef and Mushroom Casserole

Save on electricity

Compared to an oven, slow cookers are celebrated for using less energy. Preparing meals in bulk instead of cooking each meal separately and cooking meals in one appliance helps you save on energy and puts more money in your pocket. This slow cooker butter chicken makes six servings which are enough for the family or multiple servings throughout the week.

Slow_cooker_butter_chicken_final

Slow cookers are very easy to keep clean

There is minimal opportunity for scorching in a slow cooker. The low cooking temperature ensures food comes right off, which means it’s easy to clean – and you can wash fewer dishes!