Is Slow Cooker The Same As Crock Pot

The True Differences Between a Crock Pot and Slow Cooker

Many of you may have wondered if there is any real difference between a slow cooker and a crock pot. After all, don't they do the same thing by getting your meal cooked over a slow heat?

Both crock pots and slow cookers include three components: a bowl, a lid, and a heating element.

At a time when appliances are more commonly referred to as "set it and forget it," it's fair to say that nearly everyone possesses either a crock pot, a slow cooker, or an instant cooking device. But although the terms slow cooker and crock-pot are frequently used interchangeably, the two do vary in terms of functionality.

Typically, the best crock pots include two levels, high and low. However, different options have changed over time and now feature modern automated timers and special features, such as a crock pot that can be operated from your phone.

Many slow cooker models have also advanced in that they offer steaming, searing, sauteing, and slow cooking.

What is a Crock Pot?

Over time, the company has extended its range of cooking pots to cover several styles of dishes. Then, the company upgraded its bean cooker by transforming it and incorporating grips and a glass lid.

The product was later licensed under the trading name "Crock-Pot" and is now being marketed under a different brand name. The word crock pot has now become a common phrase used to refer to some sort of slow cooker.

The crock itself, like a real crock pot, is a tub of heating elements all along the sides as well as the bottom.

Technically this system is considered to be an electric heating oven and features a clay or porcelain pot that neatly slips into the crock with a glass cover to hold the heat and moisture inside.

The unit features two heat settings: 300° and 200° F, with most versions now having a setting called "Keep Warm." This heats food at low temperatures with the heat covering the food and quickly heating it to a healthy temperature.

Direct heat, a lengthy cooking time, and steam produced in the tightly filled jar all combine to kill any bacteria, making this cooking method a healthy option.

Crockpot cooking is exceptionally good for the tenderisation of cheaper meat cuts that usually involve low and slow cooking.

What is a Slow Cooker?

A real slow cooker is made up of the same three elements as a crock pot: the heating system, a pot, and a glass lid.

However, slow cookers usually have a metal bowl instead of the crock pot's ceramic or porcelain bowl.

Additionally, the pot should rest on a foundation that houses the heating device instead of sitting inside a cup (or crock) That means a slow cooker loses the heat that goes up on the sides of the pot to cover it with even cooking temperatures.

There would also be more complex heat levels on the hot plate under the pot than a crockpot. These are generally numbered 1 through 5.

These two major differences mean the cooking heats up more slowly than in the crock pot, with the heat at the bottom of the pot greatest. This does two things. The first is that scorching will present a problem due to heat accumulation over the edges.

As far as slower cooking meals are concerned, intermittent stirring is also suggested to overcome this issue, which means raising the lid and adding about 20 minutes to the cooking time each time you stir.

Furthermore, erratic heating has also caused the USDA to consider using slow cookers primarily for stews, soups, or any other dishes where the ingredients are broken into smaller chunks.

The smaller chunks allow the food to reach a healthy temperature much faster which destroys any bacteria.

So What's Really So Different Between a Slow Cooker and a Crock Pot?

The final verdict from doing our due diligence in discovering the differences between the two is that a slow cooker isn't the same as a crockpot. They feature different ways of doing the same thing.

To the degree that one is easier, a true crock pot in our opinion is the way to go because you can use it to prepare such a wide selection of dishes.

Resources— Tasting Table, Foodal

About The Author

Jaques Cilliers (186 Articles Published)

Hello, I'm Jaques and I am part of the ReviewThis writing team. I have 8 years of writing experience and have been involved in product reviews and descriptions since 2015. I specialize in home improvement accessories and equipment, and I enjoy being able to teach my readers new things about the products that they buy and bring into their homes!