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6 Best 4 Quart Slow Cookers of 2024

By Jane OrtaLast update: 2024-03-29

Are you looking for a slow cooker for a small family of 4 people?

If so, the ideal size is 4 quarts. However, this information isn’t enough to help you choose a suitable model. You need to consider other aspects to purchase the best 4-quart slow cooker.

Here are the best 4 quart slow cookers you can buy in 2024:

  • Lightweight & Compact: Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Slow Cooker
  • 3-in-1 Cooker: Cuisinart 4-Quart Multi-Cooker
  • Budget Option: Nostalgia Taco Tuesday 4-Quart Fiesta Slow Cooker
  • Easy To Clean: Crock-Pot 4-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
  • Best For Beef: Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
  • Best For Seniors: NESCO Slow Cooker
6 Best 4 Quart Slow Cookers
Lightweight & Compact
Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Slow Cooker
    3-in-1 Cooker
    Cuisinart 4-Quart Multi-Cooker
      Budget Option
      Nostalgia Taco Tuesday 4-Quart Fiesta Slow Cooker
        Easy To Clean
        Crock-Pot 4-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
          Best For Beef
          Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
            Best For Seniors
            NESCO Slow Cooker

              Lightweight & Compact: Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Slow Cooker

              Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Slow Cooker
              Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Slow Cooker
              Pros
              • Strong and sturdy
              • Straightforward to use and clean
              Cons
              • Heavy for handicapped people to use

              If you usually move your slow cooker around and your kitchen is a limited space, you will appreciate a lightweight and compact slow cooker like the Hamilton Beach model. In case you need detailed information to make a comparison, here is it:

              Its weight is 1 kg and the dimensions are 12.2 x 9.4 x 12.4 inches.

              Despite a compact size, this slow cooker is large enough to hold a 4 lb chicken (4 lb) or two roasts (2 lb).

              Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Slow Cooker Specifications

              Dimensions

              12.2 x 9.4 x 12.4 inches

              Shape

              Oval

              Materials

              Stoneware

              No of Settings

              4

              Highlight Features

              Dishwasher safe stoneware & lid

              Stain Proof and removable stoneware

              Verdict

              The Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Slow Cooker is lightweight and compact, but it is not too small for feeding 4 people.

              3-in-1 Cooker: Cuisinart 4-Quart Multi-Cooker

              Cuisinart 4-Quart Multi-Cooker
              Cuisinart 4-Quart Multi-Cooker
              Pros
              • Effortless to clean and use
              • Simple instruction
              • Versatible
              • Lightweight
              • Attractive
              Cons
              • Short cord

              Whether you want to save more money or space in your kitchen, the Cuisinart 4-quart multi-cooker can help you deal with these problems. It is a 3-in-1 cooker that can function in 3 different ways, so you don’t have to purchase 3 kitchen appliances separately.

              Apart from working as a slow cooker, this device can brown or saute and steam your food. It’s straightforward to use these functions by pressing buttons on the model.

              Cuisinart 4-Quart Multi-Cooker Specifications

              Dimensions

              10.5 x 16.5 x 8.7 inches

              Shape

              Oval

              Materials

              Stainless Steel

              No of Settings

              3

              Highlight Features

              Extra-large blue backlit LCD display

              Glass lid with cool-touch handle

              Steaming rack

              Verdict

              The Cuisinart 4-Quart Multi-Cooker is a multifunctional model that helps you complete many tasks.

              Budget Option: Nostalgia Taco Tuesday 4-Quart Fiesta Slow Cooker

              Nostalgia Taco Tuesday 4-Quart Fiesta Slow Cooker
              Nostalgia Taco Tuesday 4-Quart Fiesta Slow Cooker
              Pros
              • Lightweight
              • Easy to clean and care
              Cons
              • Old fashioned

              Do you have a tight budget? If so, can you buy a high-quality unit with high-end features? Unfortunately, it’s very difficult. The Nostalgia Taco Tuesday 4-Quart Fiesta Slow Cooker is a budget option, but it comes with basic features to meet your daily uses.

              Like other models, this slow cooker capacity is 4 quarts which are enough to serve a small family of 4 people. You can control the heat from LOW to HIGH, and it can keep your food warm while serving. Its cool-touch lid and handles allow you to use this slow cooker safer.

              Nostalgia Taco Tuesday 4-Quart Fiesta Slow Cooker Specifications

              Dimensions

              10.87 x 10.75 x 9.72 inches

              Shape

              Round

              Materials

              Glass

              No of Settings

              3

              Highlight Features

              Variable heat control

              Removable pot

              Clear, tempered glass lid

              Cool-touch handles

              Verdict

              In spite of a cheap price, the Nostalgia Taco Tuesday 4-Quart Fiesta Slow Cooker is functional enough to meet your daily use.

              Easy To Clean: Crock-Pot 4-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker

              Crock-Pot 4-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
              Crock-Pot 4-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
              Pros
              • Straightforward to use and clean
              • Well-made and sturdy
              Cons
              • Takes long to heat up

              Are you too busy? Do you want to shorten the washing process of dishes? If so, you might appreciate dishwasher safe kitchen appliances. And the Crock-Pot 4-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker is one of them, especially since you can remove parts to clean them easier. Specifically, you can put the lid and stoneware in the dishwasher or wash them with hot and soapy water.

              Crock-Pot 4-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker Specifications

              Dimensions

              9.8 x 13.8 x 9.4 inches

              Shape

              Oval, Round

              Materials

              Stainless Steel

              No of Settings

              3

              Highlight Features

              Dishwasher safe

              Removable parts

              Verdict

              The Crock-Pot 4-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker takes less time and effort on your part for cleaning.

              Best For Beef: Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker

              Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
              Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
              Pros
              • Super versatile
              • Reliable settings
              • Auto-warm switch
              Cons
              • Heavy so it’s hard to handle, move, and wash

              If you are looking for something to cook beef, you are in the right place. A slow cooker is a wonderful unit to handle this kind of meat because slow cooking can melt collagen - the connective tissue protein in meat, turning it into gelatin - a rich liquid.

              To reach a tender and silky texture of beef, cook it at a low temperature for a long period. Although any slow cooker can perform this thing, it requires you to take a lot of your time. So, can you cook a tasty dish of beef with your limited time?

              Yes. The good news is that this model is a programmable slow cooker that allows you to set up temperature and time as desired without monitoring it continually. Even after cooking, this unit can automatically shift to warm and keep your beef from spoiling.

              Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker Specifications

              Dimensions

              9.84 x 9.06 x 15.16 inches

              Shape

              Oval

              Materials

              Stainless Steel

              No of Settings

              3

              Highlight Features

              Flexible programming options

              Verdict

              The Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker is ideal to cook food for long without requiring you to monitor regularly.

              Best For Seniors: NESCO Slow Cooker

              NESCO Slow Cooker
              NESCO Slow Cooker
              Pros
              • Easy to clean up
              • Versatible
              • Good size
              • Functional
              • Great look
              Cons
              • Long to heat

              If you want to buy a slow cooker to give seniors, your grandparents, for example, as a present, the NESCO slow cooker is the right support for the cooking process of seniors.

              The lid and the crock are removable, so you can easily clean them in your dishwasher to save your effort as much as possible.

              It’s very easy to adjust the settings for cooking and reheating by using the control knob. Any senior loves simplicity, right?

              The handles and knob on the lid are stay-cool which is extremely safe for seniors.

              The lid is made from clear tempered-glass that allows seniors to see the content inside easily without opening the lid.

              The indicator light shows you the condition of the content if it is well cooked or undercooked.

              NESCO Slow Cooker Specifications

              Dimensions

              13.78 x 9.84 x 9.84 inches

              Shape

              Oval

              Materials

              Stainless Steel

              No of Settings

              3

              Highlight Features

              Removable

              Dishwasher safe

              Stay cool handles and knob

              Indicator light

              Clear tempered-glass lid

              Verdict

              The NESCO Slow Cooker is effortless to use for seniors, first-timer users, and beginners.

              How To Choose The Best 4 Quart Slow Cooker?

              Should You Choose The Style And Design Of A Slow Cooker Based On Your Preference?

              You can choose your favorite style, but the answer is no for the type. You should choose a type of slow cooker based on your needs.

              There are 2 types: standard cookers with a traditional look and portable or travel-friendly cookers with locking lids to minimize spills. Choose the latter if you need to move or transport your cooker somewhere.

              Who Is The 4 Quart Slow Cooker Size For?

              Slow cookers have a variety of sizes, ranging from 1 to 7 quarts. So, to choose a suitable size, apply this rule: one quart per pound of meat. For example, a 5-quart cooker can cook 5-pound meat. Below are the detailed information:

              A 4-5-quart slow cooker is enough for a small family of 4 people for a meal. However, if you just buy a slow cooker for yourself or you and your partner, you can consider a smaller model (1-3 quarts). For a larger family of 6 people, a cooker up to 6-7 quarts can feed enough in a single meal. In case you choose this size for a small family, it might leave a lot of leftovers.

              Can You Have A Set Of Many Sizes?

              To meet this requirement, consider a model with differently sized cooking bowls.

              Which Features Do You Need?

              Different units come with distinct features and functions. To pick up the most appropriate model, refer to all significant features of a slow cooker:

              Programmable Settings

              Some slow cookers have a programmable digital control panel that allows you to set a certain time to start automatically, so it’s ideal for people who use their slow cooker unattended.

              Different Temperatures

              If your slow cooker is a non-programmable unit, you will choose WARM, LOW or HIGH temperature setting.

              Auto Warming Function

              This is a safety feature that will automatically work after the countdown is done to save your meal from spoiling. This is suitable for those who are too busy to check the content in their slow cooker regularly.

              Temperature Probes

              This accessory can monitor the temperature of the meat that is from raw to cooked piece to help you determine if your meat is overcooked or undercooked.

              Which Brands Make The Best 4 Quart Slow Cooker?

              Hamilton Beach

              For more than a century, Hamilton Beach has become a popular brand in the household appliance category all over the world because of the top product quality and reliable price. Besides, this brand provides their customers with great customer service. Below are some of the Hamilton Beach product lines:

              • Ovens
              • Ice cream maker
              • Food chopper
              • Air purifiers
              • Rice cookers
              • Pizza maker
              • Popcorn maker
              • Toasters
              • Waffle irons
              • Coffee machines
              • Can openers
              • Electric kettles
              • Electric knives
              • Bread machines
              • Deep fryers
              • Coffee makers
              • Blenders

              FAQs

              Is a 4 qt slow cooker big enough?

              A 4 qt slow cooker is big enough to cook a meal for a small family of 2-4 people.

              What can you not cook in a slow cooker?

              Cooking dairy products such as yogurt, sour cream, cheese, cream, and milk in a slow cooker can curdle them.

              Couscous looks like rice. Cooking it in a slow cooker just makes this food mushy and unappetizing.

              Rice isn’t well cooked in a slow cooker. While rice around the edges is brittle, grains in the center are undercooked.

              Though there are many slow-cooker lasagna recipes on Pinterest, this device just brings a soppy plate of pasta.

              The slow cooking process makes lean meats like boneless chicken breast become super tough and dry out.

              Soft vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, spinach, peas, and asparagus can’t be cooked long in a slow cooker.

              Cooking seafood such as salmon, shrimp, and scallops long in a slow cooker can get rubbery.

              Don’t add any type of wine to your slow-cooker dish because it can’t escape in a covered slow cooker. If not, your dish will have an unpleasant flavor.

              Should food be covered with liquid in a slow cooker?

              Yes. Any slow cooker requires water or liquid to produce steam, creating effective heat transfer throughout the content.

              Why are my carrots still hard in the slow cooker?

              Carrots are a hard item, so it’s more difficult to cook well. If your dish has carrots, add more water and liquid and put carrot pieces at the bottom of the cooker to keep them closer to the heat source.

              Does meat get more tender the longer it cooks in a slow cooker?

              Yes.

              Conclusion

              Although all 4 quart slow cookers provide you with enough space to cook for a 4-people family, not all of them can meet specific requirements of each family. Thus, you must consider your budget, the age of users, your purpose, and your content to put in the cooker before making a purchase of the best 4-quart slow cooker.


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