When buying a slow cooker there are quite a number of things to look through. First, decide whether you need a programmable one or a mechanical control appliance. Programmable slow cookers are provided with timers, to help you cook within a specified time. When the cooking time exceeds, then the cooker automatically turns into the keep-warm mode. This mode maintains the food at a specific temperature. With a slow-cooker you can also preset the cooking time and cook your food. So even if you are out on work, you need not worry about going home and cooking the food.

In a mechanical model cooker, temperatures are adjustable but there are no timers. So you will have to keep watching the food until it is finished and plug it off.