Do electric slow cookers cost a lot to run?

mrsmasterplan · 4 December 2011 at 2:50PM

I got one last year however have not used it. Im a bit wary about using it as i feel that having it on for such a long time will surely cost a lot of electricity? I've been told that the things that cost the moswt are the things that produce heat so wouldnt this cost a lot if it was left on for a large percentage of the day?

Any help greatly appreciated

cleggie · 4 December 2011 at 2:52PM

I was told that it uses the same amount of electricioty roughly as a lightbulb.

mrsmasterplan · 4 December 2011 at 2:56PM

Really? Well i cant complain with that!

Jonesya · 4 December 2011 at 2:58PM

Not normally no. Check to see if there's a label on the slow cooker giving you the power - eg. ??? W.

I've got a small slow cooker, it uses about 80W on low. You need to divide the power in watts (W) by 1000 to convert to kilowatts (kW). So 80/1000 = 0.08kW. To calculate the energy used you need to multiply its rating in kW by the time it is on for, in hours, so for example, for 7 hours cooking time it would use: 7 x 0.08 = 0.56 kWh.

You can get the cost of a kWh from your electricity bill, but typically around 12p/kWh so for this example:
0.56 x 12 = 6.72 pence to run an 80W slow cooker for 7 hours.

A large slow cooker might be double that.

ormus · 4 December 2011 at 3:00PM

as above.
they use the same power as a large watt light bulb.
so a cheap method of cooking. if a little slow.

mrsmasterplan · 4 December 2011 at 3:34PM

Brilliant - if the candles come out then ill use no more!

27col · 4 December 2011 at 4:49PM

We had a slow cooker many years ago. I think that it was at the most 60w.

timbstoke · 4 December 2011 at 5:18PM

They are fantastically cheap to run, plus the added bonus of chucking a load of stuff in it on the way out to work, and coming home to the smell of a ready to eat, hot meal. It's enough to make you forget you're single!

andrewsmum · 4 December 2011 at 5:25PM

I usually cook in mine overnight when our electricity is at a reduced price. If its a joint of meat I am cooking I wrap it up in foil at the end of cooking and when its gone cold its much easier to carve. I either warm it u sliced in my steamer or in the gravy, or even serve it cold.

meg72 · 4 December 2011 at 5:49PM

As stated about the price of a lightbulb and so so convenient. Use mine loads.

Swipe · 4 December 2011 at 7:42PM

I can cook a lentil stew on the small electric hob in 2 hours using 200W in total. If I use my slow cooker to make the same stew it takes around 8 hours on low and uses 700W. However, I can cook a medium chicken in the slow cooker for 8 hours using 700W but it would take over 2KW in the electric oven.