Slow Cooker Energy Cost: How to Keep Meals Tasty and Bills Low

If you love a stew that simmers all day, you probably wonder how much it’s adding to your electric bill. The good news? A slow cooker uses far less power than an oven or stovetop, but there are still easy tricks to shave off extra watts.

Understanding Your Slow Cooker’s Power Use

Most slow cookers run at 150‑250 watts on the low setting and 250‑300 watts on high. That’s about the same as a single LED bulb. To see the real cost, check the label for the wattage, multiply by the hours you run it, and then divide by 1,000 to get kilowatt‑hours (kWh). For example, a 200‑watt unit on low for 8 hours uses 1.6 kWh. If your electricity is £0.30 per kWh, that’s just 48p for the whole cooking session.

Compare that with a conventional oven that can use 2,000 watts for the same time – you’d be paying nearly ten times more. So the slow cooker already wins on efficiency; the goal is to keep it that way.

Practical Ways to Cut the Energy Bill

1. **Choose the right size** – A pot that’s too big wastes heat. Fill it at least half full; a half‑full cooker runs just as efficiently and uses the same power.

2. **Don’t lift the lid** – Every time you peek, heat escapes and the cooker works harder. If you need to stir, do it quickly and close the lid right away.

3. **Use the low setting** – Most recipes work fine on low; the longer simmer uses the same watts but cooks slower, saving a few pennies.

4. **Pre‑heat wisely** – If you start with cold ingredients, the cooker burns more energy to reach temperature. Warm up canned beans or frozen meat in the microwave for a minute before adding them.

5. **Wrap the lid with foil** – A thin foil layer under the lid traps extra steam, reduces evaporation, and keeps the internal temperature steady. It’s a cheap hack that many Cooks swear by.

6. **Turn it off early** – Slow cookers stay hot for a while after they switch off. If you’re comfortable with a 10‑minute carry‑over, set the timer a bit early and let residual heat finish the job.

7. **Take advantage of off‑peak rates** – Many energy providers charge less at night. If you can start the cooker before bedtime, you’ll use cheaper electricity without changing the meal.

8. **Upgrade to an energy‑star model** – Newer units have better insulation and smarter thermostats. The upfront cost pays off after a few months of lower bills.

9. **Batch cook and freeze** – Cook a big pot, portion it out, and freeze the leftovers. You’ll avoid running the cooker repeatedly, saving both time and power.

10. **Check the plug and cords** – A loose connection can cause extra resistance and waste a tiny bit of energy. Make sure everything fits snugly.

By adding just a couple of these habits, you can keep your slow cooker’s energy cost under a pound per week, even if you use it daily. The key is to treat the cooker like a teammate: feed it the right amount, keep it sealed, and let it do its thing.

Now you have the numbers, the tricks, and the confidence to enjoy hearty meals without a shocking electric bill. Happy slow cooking!