Lead Free* Crock Pots – The Busy Cook’s Best Friend

If you would like to go directly to read about Lead-Free Crock Pots, skip the introduction and go further down this page.

Today’s reality is that most of us are busy and on often the go. If you are a retiree, you have survived  years of work, sacrifice and saving for retirement and now ready to live the life of leisure. Retirement is your just reward for all of those years of toil and trouble and the last thing you may want to be doing is spending hours in the kitchen (however, I know for some people that may be a passion). This is where a crock pot (also called a slow cooker) can help ease meal planning and save you time and money.

Typically, using a crock pot involves quick prep followed by a slow cooking time. This can result in a simple, healthy, and delicious meal that’s waiting on you as soon as you walk in the door from your busy day. With a crock pot there is a wide variety of foods that you can prepare including soups, stews, meats and casseroles. Another benefit is it is a great tool for preparing and transporting meals to family and social gatherings. Below, I share many of the benefits of the crock pot as a kitchen appliance:

• They use less electricity than an oven and can be used year-round.
• Because of the long, low-temperature cooking, slow cookers help tenderize less-expensive cuts of meat and can add flavor.
• They usually allow for one-step preparation; putting all the ingredients in the slow cooker saves time and reduces cleanup.
• A variety of foods can be cooked in a slow cooker, including soups, stews, side dishes, main dishes, meats, poultry, and desserts.
• Many of the ingredients required for crock pot meals are healthy alternatives and affordable. Beans, frozen vegetables, and less expensive cuts of meat are common ingredients.
• Reduction in Fat and Calories – With a crock pot, no oil or frying is necessary and this reduces fat and calories.
• Large Quantities – Depending upon the size of your crock pot, many recipes will make a large quantity of food and freezing leftovers will make easy lunches or dinners in the future.
• Convenience and Flexibility – Depending upon your day’s activities, you can start a meal in the morning or around noon and cook on high or low and have a meal ready for dinner.
• Energy Saving – Another advantage is less electricity is required with a crock pot as opposed to a standard oven. In addition, it won’t heat up the kitchen like an oven can.

Looking for some recipes to get you started? Check out some of these great crock pot cookbooks
for beginners.

Lead in Crock Pots?

• *Few crock pots leak lead when they are first sold and remain in like-new condition. However, with wear and tear they can get dented, scratched, nicked and cracked, which makes it easy for lead to leach out. Although the engineered marvels are supposed to be made so that the lead isn’t able to escape, even a small imperfection in the glaze can allow the toxin to leach into food. This health risk is due to the fact that some crock pot bowls, especially those made before the 1970’s, are coated with glaze containing lead. This can also be the case with many newer crock pots made in China and other off shore sources where there is no strict quality control.

The health concern is that lead builds up in your system gradually, so even a small amount can cause serious health issues over time. This means that even if your crock pot leaks a tiny amount of lead each time it’s used, the heavy metal builds up in your body. This can cause long-term serious health problems.

Most experts feel that as long as your crock pot is not damaged and it is not used more than once a week, the health threat from the lead is negligible with modern day crock pots. However, if you are using a hand-me-down cooker or are a frequent user of your crock pot, you may want to consider replacing it with a “lead-free” crock pot.

 

Different Kinds of Crock Pots

Crock pots have revolutionized the way we cook. They allow for hot meals to be cooked all day with no supervision while a family works and goes to school or about their daily activities. There are various types of crock pots available. Crock pots are either ceramic, stainless steel or aluminum with a non-stick surface. They can come with simple manual controls or can be programmable. The crock pot you choose depends upon your needs and safety concerns.

Ceramic & Stoneware Crock Pots

Pros

Ceramic Stoneware crock pots are versatile and do a good job of heating food evenly. They can be used to reheat food, as long as the product says it is oven-proof. Most stoneware or ceramic crock pots can withstand oven temperatures up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. However, you should not use them under broilers.

Ceramic does not react with acidic foods such as tomatoes and you can store the leftover food in the ceramic pot covered with the glass lid in the refrigerator without having to worry about the flavor being tainted as is the case with a metal container.

Cons

An obvious downside to a ceramic or stoneware crock pot is that is can be cracked or broken, and it cannot be used to reheat food on a gas stove. These crocks will also be heavier than metal crocks.

As mentioned before, some ceramic crock pots have been found to contain lead, and when heated, they allow the lead to leach into the food. This is why I specify lead-free crock pots at the end of the article. For what it is worth, the lead in the glaze is what colors the ceramic or stoneware, so white or natural crock pots are less likely to be leaching lead.

Metal Clad Crock Pots

Pros

Metal crock pots, which can be made of stainless steel or aluminum, sometimes don’t heat food as evenly as ceramic crock pots. While metal crock pots cannot be used in the microwave, they can be used to brown food before slow cooking. They can also be used in the oven, even under a broiler, as well as on the stove top.

Cons

Aluminum crock pots with a non-stick surface inside are quite versatile, and can even be used as a pan for cooking on the stove or in the oven. However, I am not a fan of crock pots with non-stick surfaces, which of course can scratch and wear off over time. In addition, these aluminum crock pots are generally more expensive than ceramic or stainless steel crock pots. As for the stainless steel pots, they are more durable, but can scratch over time. In addition, one thing to note about stainless steel is that it contains chromium and nickel and a 2013 study found certain grades of stainless steel react with acidic foods, e.g, tomatoes, to leach nickel into the food.

This is primarily a concern for those with nickel sensitivities for whom nickel-free stainless steel cookware is a viable option.

Best Lead-Free Crock Pots (Slow Cookers)

Crock pots currently made in the US are regulated and should not have lead in their ceramic glazing. However, one cannot be sure about units made overseas. It is recommended that you purchase from a reputable brand such as Crock Pot, Kitchenaid, Hamilton Beach, Black and Decker, Cuisinart, etc. Note that I focused upon features, performance, and affordability in my list below of best slow cookers. I don’t believe any of them retail for more than $150, though you can spend over $300 if you are looking for the most, advanced, very best units.

 

Simple, Manual Crock Pots

Manual crock pots, as the name alludes, are simple machines with typically just 3 temperature settings; low, medium and high. You can walk away for an hour or two, but you won’t want to start it up before leaving for work and expect everything to be perfect when you return in 8-9 hours. They need to be checked periodically.

Best Small Manual Crock Pot

Crockpot 3-Quart Round Manual Slow Cooker

This is the crock pot that I own. It works perfectly for my son and I as we travel to medical clinics across the country. It actually comes in a 7 and 8 quart model as well. Frankly, if I were to buy a larger crock pot, I would want a locking lid and additional features (automation).

Pros:

• Inexpensive
• Quick and easy to use
• Dishwasher safe stoneware crock
• Easy to transport or pack up
• Perfect for cooking for 2

Cons:

• Round shape limits the size of meat pieces you can place in the crock
• Fully manual
• No locking lid

 

 

Best Medium-Large Sized Manual Crock Pots

Hamilton Beach 8-Quart Slow Cooker

Pros:

• Great Value for a crock pot this size
• Easy to use with side handles for ease of movement
• Dishwasher safe stoneware crock
• Large enough for a family of 4-5
• Basic Features, including an easy to clean stoneware crock

Cons:

• No locking lid
• For only $20 more, you can buy the programmable version

 

 

Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel

Pros:

• An Amazon’s Choice
• Great Value; $15 less than the comparable Hamilton Beach model above, though this is 1 quart smaller in capacity
• Large Capacity; enough for a family of four
• Handles on the side for easy movement
• Easy to use
• Dishwasher safe crock

Cons:

• Fully manual
• No locking lid

 

 

Best Programmable Crock Pots

The programmable cookers have the advantage of automatically turning off when the cooking time ends and/ or keep cooked food at a safe temperature. So, all you have to do is enter the cooking time and temperature, turn it on and go! Continue about your day, and once you’re home, your food is ready!

However, if you are using a programmable cooker and the power goes out – even for just a second – the settings will reset and the slow cooker will be “off” with its light flashing even when the power comes back on. If you are using a cooker with a manual control and the power goes out, it will come back on and continue cooking when power is restored.

Best Medium Sized Programmable Crock Pot

The Crock-Pot 6-Quart Cook & Carry

Pros:

• An Amazon;s Choice
• Programmable
• Locking lid, which makes it easy to transport to potlucks, etc.
• Dishwasher safe crock
• Has handles on the side for easy moving and transport
• Manageable size

Cons:

• May not be big enough for larger families

 

 

Best Medium-Large Sized Programmable Crock Pots

BLACK+DECKER 7-Quart Digital Slow Cooker, with Temperature Probe + Precision Sous-Vide

Pros:

• Sous vide setting
• Temperature probe
• Locking lid with side handles for easy movement and transport
• Dishwasher safe, easy to clean stoneware crock

Cons:

• You are paying $12 for temperature probe and sous vide setting. If those aren’t important, buy the Black & Decker 7 Quart Digital Slow Cooker with Chalkboard Surface, Slate, SCD4007

 

Crock-Pot 6-Qt. Cook n’ Carry Programmable Countdown Slow Cooker; Stainless Steel (black is in picture below)

Pros:

• An Amazon’s Choice
• Programmable: Removable Stoneware Countdown Digital Timer Shifts to warm setting automatically
• Dishwasher safe stoneware and lid
• Locking lid and carrying handles
• Medium capacity for smaller families

Cons:

• No temperature probe

 

 

Best Metal Clad Slow Cookers

Calphalon Digital Sauté Slow Cooker

Pros:

• An Amazon’s Choice
• Conveniently sear, brown, sauté, & slow cook all in one pot for maximum flavor
• Cooking pot is oven safe and compatible with electric, gas, and induction cook tops
• Ceramic cooking surface is 11x more durable and provides 20% more even heat (Compared to standard nonstick)
• Digital programmable controls
• Fast food release and easy to clean
• Carrying handles

Cons

• More expensive than prior slow cookers, but the additional features will be worth it to serious cooks
• No locking lid

 

Instant Pot Electric Precision Dutch Oven

Pros:

• ELECTRIC DUTCH OVEN: Delivering gourmet results right on your counter top.
• 5-in-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Braise, slow cooking, sear or sauté, cooking pan and warmer, making it the perfect wedding gift, new home gift or bridal shower gift!
• PRECISION COOKING: Featuring a Dutch oven that allows exact temperature and time control that you simply cannot get from cooking on a stove top.
• VERSATILE ELEGANCE: Heavy-duty enameled cast-iron cooking pot is removable, oven and stove top-safe allowing the same features as a traditional Dutch oven and looks beautiful on your table.
• TENDER RESULTS: Matching lid has self-braising grid on underside to keep food evenly moist.
• LARGE CAPACITY: Cooks up to 6 servings of food, perfect for meal prepping, entertaining and family dinners.
• QUICK, EASY CLEANUP: Effortlessly clean up after any meal as Instant Pot Round Dutch Oven cooking pot and lid are dishwasher save!

Cons:

• Priced more than the standard programmable slow cookers, but additional features will please discerning cooks
• No locking lid

 

Ninja MC1001 Foodi PossibleCooker PRO 8.5 Quart Multi-Cooker

Pros:

• An Amazon’s Choice
• REPLACES 14 COOKING TOOLS and APPLIANCES: This cooker replaces the need for a slow cooker, steam oven, food warmer, nonstick pot, sauté pan, cast iron skillet, saucier, steamer, saucepan, stock pot, Dutch oven, roasting pan, bread maker, and utensil.
• SEAR and SAUTÉ DIRECTLY IN THE POT: Using the bottom heating elements, you are able to sear proteins and sauté vegetables right in the cooking pot—no need to transfer to the stove top.
• OVEN SAFE TO 500°F: Removable cooking pot is oven safe up to 500°F, so you can finish your meal in the oven for a crispy top.
• TRIPLE FUSION HEAT TECHNOLOGY: Cook up to 30% faster* than conventional ovens by combining bottom, side, and steam heat. More heat, more possibilities. Tested on 6-lb chickens.
• 8 COOKING FUNCTIONS: Slow Cook, Sear/Sauté, Steam, Keep Warm, Sous Vide, Braise, Bake, and Proof.

Cons:

• Slightly more expensive than the Calphalon and Instapot, but with added features
• No locking lid

 

If you are new to slow cookers, considering picking up a low cost Crockpot cookbook. For even more cookbook ideas, so my post: Heart Healthy Cookbooks for Seniors.

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