If you know me at all you know I like to keep my countertops clutter-free, but on the other hand I need to have the tools I use frequently at hand to optimise efficiency. So, my best bet is to try and strike a balance. Fewer items to wash up, tastier slow-cooked stews, curries and soups, and a puddle-free worktop – what more could you ask for? You can activate a keep warm setting to keep your food ready for as long as six hours after your cooking mode has finished. The sear mode took only a few minutes to pre-heat and we were able to brown our onions before adding curry ingredients, which delivered a lot of extra flavour.The slow cooker's 'reduce' function was useful for bubbling away excess liquid after slow cooking.

However, there have been some incidents where ceramic glazes may contain cadmium or lead, which can get mixed with the food.

Is DuraCeramic really free from Toxins and Harmful Chemicals?

When we tested its slow cooking mode we found that it's almost too good at retaining moisture. Recipes that came out more saucy in some slow cookers were a little less rich because it's also designed to be an airtight pressure cooker. That can be remedied though by adding less liquid or taking into account the liquid that will come out of meat and veggies when you add them. The FDA has strict requirements for all ceramic products sold in the US to be cadmium and lead-free So, always buy ceramic coated products sold in the US by reputable companies to be safe. Final Words However, we can’t say the same when it comes to longevity of ceramic coated cookware over Teflon coated ones. Various tests have shown that even the best ceramic-coating last six times less than Teflon coating. So, they aren’t that durable as manufacturers claim.

The advantage of this is not leaving all that lovely seared flavour behind in a pan, and it reduces washing-up. Finally, look for a slow cooker with a transparent lid, so you can keep an eye on your food’s progress. Lifting the lid of a slow cooker while it’s in use lets out heat and steam, prolonging cooking time. It’s always best to be able to see what’s going on without doing so. Are slow cookers easy to clean?The first thing you need to consider with any slow cooker is its capacity – each will list its bowl size in litres. Bear in mind that this won’t translate to the same amount of food, as you shouldn’t fill slow cookers to the brim. This gap allows your food to bubble and simmer properly. The usable cooking space will be around three-quarters of its bowl size, for example, a five-litre cooker can accommodate around four litres of food. Despite the pot being an odd shape – round, 25cm (10 inches) at the top, which tapers to about 20cm (8 inches) half way down – we really like the size of the CSC026. The pot will hold five litres when filled right to the brim, but more realistically will comfortably hold around three litres. Does your slow cooker have good heat distribution? Some can suffer from hot spots that cause drying out in corners or at the base. Uneven heat is something that’s more likely to occur in larger bowls.

Slow cookers with digital controls may also have a delay start, which is ideal if you’re out of the house for more than eight hours. This means you can start cooking at a time to suit you – while it’s hard to overcook recipes with a lot of liquid, this gives more freedom with dishes that could potentially start to dry out. A timer is another handy feature – this will either turn the machine off after cooking or put it into a limited time keep warm mode. The controls are a little cluttered, but the illustrations make the Sage The Fast Slow Go easy to use and very clear. The lid his hinged, which we don't love, but it does mean the Sage The Fast Slow Go will transition easily between slow cooking and pressure cooking for a range of the cooking modes. Slow cookers have got so much going for them, it’s hard not to love them. Not only will a good one save you time and effort in the kitchen, it’ll save you money too. Slow cookers transform cheaper cuts of meat into tender dishes and liven up economical healthy pulses, like lentils, beans and peas. Plus, while they can be on all day, it’s at such a low wattage that it will only cost pennies. This safe and natural ceramic-coating also cooks food 20 percent faster and is also much easier to clean. Is DuraCeramic really free from Toxins and Harmful Chemicals?

As we said earlier, this special ceramic coating is made from oxygen and silicon. So, not only is DuraCeramic safe, it is also an environmentally friendly product. The CSC026 comes in any colour you want, as long as it’s gloss white – but that’s OK with us as it’s a great looking slow cooker. The front of the slow cooker is home to a large control panel that contains a digital display and buttons to control cooking time and temperature. Additionally, the application process of DuraCeramic-coatings is also easier when compared to many PTFE (Teflon) based coatings. Teflon based coatings need at least three applications, whereas DuraCeramic coatings require only one layer. Suitable for all hob types, including induction hobs, this impressive unit allows you to prepare casseroles, curries, chillis, soups, pot roasts, and even desserts – simply choose the low, high, or keep–warm setting to best suit your creation. After cooking, the removable pot can be taken straight to the table for serving, and if you have leftovers, it can be stored in the fridge or freezer. Manufacturers of ceramic-coated cookware and kitchen appliances such as Oster claim that their products are extremely safe, durable, reliable, and contain no harmful chemical, toxins, carcinogens or heavy metals.

I started by making bolognese sauce, first searing the meat on the hob. Despite the dish claiming to be compatible with induction cookers, it wouldn’t work on my hob, possibly a result of the ferrous plate of the dish being too small. Those with older hobs that require a certain diameter of pan may struggle to use it. Basic slow cookers won’t get hot enough to sauté meat or vegetables, so you’ll need to do this in a pan before transferring the contents to the bowl. However, more expensive models offer a different one-pot solution. This can either be bowls that you use on your hob or in your oven in place of a pan (some will even be induction compatible). They will need to be moved to the slow cooker base. Machines with a sauté function for high-heat browning can simply be switched to slow cooking. Ceramic coating doesn’t peel or break down at high temperatures and doesn’t emit any toxic fumes. While cooking at normal temperatures, say under 500 degrees, they are a much better alternative than Teflon (PTFE) coated pan. Sauté function– Sauté ingredients on the hob in the die-cast aluminium pot before slow cooking: brown meat and soften onions & vegetables to maximise flavour. The Ninja Foodi Multi-Cooker is certainly mighty, but if you like your gadgets it could be a great investment. You can of course just use this multi-cooker as a slow cooker, for which it has a generous 6 litre capacity, but you can also take advantage of the sear setting to brown meat and veggies before slow cooking for a more rich flavour.

Slow cooking couldn’t be easier for busy families – offering fuss-free, hands-off, one-pot meals. Simply chop up, drop in and turn on for beautifully cooked food ready when you are. Soups and stews, curries and casseroles, pot roasts and pasta bakes – even perfectly cooked rice can be made in a slow cooker while you get on with other things. As the elements in the DuraCeramic are inorganic, ceramic coated cookware can withstand extremely high temperatures of up 450 C (842 F). In comparison, Teflon coatings tend to deteriorate after reaching 260 C (500 F). Is DuraCeramic Safe? The removable bowl can be used on any hob – including induction – for sautéing your ingredients before long, slow cooking and is, of course, easy to clean afterwards.