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Guide to Crockpot and Slow Cooker Sizes

Are you looking for a new slow cooker or Crock-Pot? Buying a slow cooker or Crock-pot of the proper size can be intimidating. This guide will discuss the various crock-pot sizes and their respective uses. 

I will also guide you on selecting the ideal size slow cooker for your needs. Read on for all the information you need, whether you’re just starting with crock-pot cooking and need a smaller pot or looking to upgrade to a larger pot! 

Slow cookers range from 1 to 2 quarts and can accommodate a single individual or dips, sauces, and condiments. Three quarts will feed one to two people. 4 to 5 quarts will provide 2 to 3 people. The 6-quart slow cooker is the most popular size because it can feed a family. 8- to 10-quart slow cookers are ideal for cooking large amounts of meat or feeding a large group. 

Available Crock Pot and Slow Cooker Sizes 

Crock-Pot is the preferred method of slow cooking. The brand is now synonymous with all other slow cookers, regardless of whether CROCK-POT manufactures them! 

Simply put, Crock-Pot is the brand name for a slow cooker. In addition to Instant Pot, Black and Decker, Cuisinart, All-Clad, Breville, and Zojirushi produce slow cookers. In fact, in addition to slow cookers, most well-known brands also have pressure cookers, multi-function cookers, and rice cookers. 

The following is a quick reference guide for Crock-Pot sizes and other brands of available slow cooker sizes, along with a link to learn more about the brands. 

Brand 
(various finishes, shapes, and styles, manual and programmable available) 

Slow Cooker Sizes 
(Variety of sizes) 

Dimensions (Vary) 

Crock-Pot Slow Cooker Sizes 

1.5-qt, 2-qt, 2.5-qt, 3-qt, 3.5-qt, 4-qt, 4.5-qt, 5-qt, 6-qt, 7-qt, 8-qt 

round, oval & square 

Hamilton Beach 

3-qt, 4-qt, 5-qt, 6-qt, 7-qt, 8-qt , 10-qt 

oval & square 

Elite Gourmet 

1.5-qt, 2-qt, 3.5-qt, 8.5-qt, 

round, oval & square 

Cuisinart 

3.5-qt, 4-qt, 6-qt, 6.5-qt, 7-qt, 

oval & square 

KitchenAid 

4-qt, 6-qt 

round & oval 

How to Choose the Right Size Crock-pot or Slow Cooker 

The following are the most critical factors when selecting a slow cooker or crock pot for your specific cooking needs or preferences. 

The Number of People You Will Feed 

You must determine whether you require small slow cookers for one, two, or a small family, a large cooker for large roasts, or an extra-large cooker for entertainment. Perhaps you are the type who cooks all day on Sunday to prepare a large quantity of healthy, hearty meals for the upcoming week. 

What kind of food will you be preparing? Meat on the bone or stews, casseroles, and soups prepared in a slow cooker? 

Slow Cooker – Capacity – Servings 

The measurement of a slow cooker is the capacity, in quarts or liters, of the cooker’s cooking pot, also known as an insert. 

Ceramic is used for Crock-Pot inserts, while other brands use materials such as stainless steel and non-stick coatings. 

This crockpot and slow cooker size chart provide the capacity in quarts and liters, the number of servings, and suggestions for the types of foods that can be prepared in each size cooker. Choosing the appropriate slow cooker size will be simple. 

Quart Capacity 

Liter Capacity 

Servings 

Food Preparation 

1-quart 

.9 ltr 

1 

Dips, oats, desserts, appropriate size slow cooker recipes 

2-quart 

1.8 ltr 

1 to 2 

Small meals, dips, sides, and desserts 

3-quart 

2.8 ltr 

2 to 3 

Casseroles, soups, stews, breakfasts, desserts 

4-quart 

3.7 ltr 

3 to 4 

Small family, dips, sides, oats, desserts 

5-quart 

4.7 ltr 

4 to 5 

Small roasts, whole chicken, casseroles, soups, stews, breakfasts, desserts 

6-quart 

5.6 ltr 

5 to 6 

Main courses, meat on the bone, stews, cobblers, international cuisine 

7-quart 

6.6 ltr 

6 to 7 

5-1b roast, 7-1b chicken, large cuts of meat, large lasagne 

8-quart 

7.5 ltr 

7 to 8 

Potlucks, chili, casserole, roasts, pulled meats pork/beef 

10-quart 

11.3 ltr 

9 or more 
large 
families 
entertainers 

10-pound turkey or 12-pound roast, meal prepping, gatherings, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Birthdays 

Energy efficient 

When utilized correctly, slow cookers are energy efficient. Manufacturers recommend filling a slow cooker’s insert to no more than two-thirds capacity for maximum efficiency. 

Consequently, using a large slow cooker will ruin your dish and waste energy. This is another reason why the 6-quart size is suitable for most households. 

Versatility 

Do you require a locking lid? If you plan to bring your slow cooker to potlucks or church socials, portable models with lockable lids are available. 

Technology – are you content with a traditional manual slow cooker, or do you prefer to keep up with technological advancements? 

Up Grading 

Is it an existing slow cooker? Is this an additional unit, a replacement, or an upgrade to a larger model? Over the years, technology and energy efficiency have improved; be sure to review the extensive list of crockpot and slow cooker brands below! There is a range suitable for every budget. 

Storage 

Do you have space for a large model in your kitchen or countertop? Uncertain of where to store it? If you struggle to carry heavy items, the pantry, laundry room, garage, appliance cabinets, ample kitchen countertops, and low kitchen cabinets work best. 

Check the dimensions of the entire slow cooker, not just the capacity of the cooking insert, and compare them to your storage options. 

Price 

As with all purchases, there is a slow cooker for every budget. Small manual slow cookers are typically the most affordable, and depending on the brand, you can purchase one for $25. These models will have all the “bells and whistles,” including Wi-Fi technology, and can cost over $200. 

What is the Most Common Slow Cooker Size? 

According to kitchenware retailers, 6-quart and larger slow cookers are the most popular models. 

This is not because larger slow cookers are superior to smaller ones. If liquid and ingredient quantities for recipes are adhered to in a range of the appropriate size, they will all cook food equally well. 

Because most of us who use a 6-quart slow cooker regularly prepare meals for families, extra leftovers for the following week, or frozen food. Some utilize a variety of sizes for larger quantities required for social gatherings. 

Size Guide for Slow Cooker Brands: Capacity, Dimensions, Weight, Servings 

This slow cooker size guide provides specific sizes for various brands, capacities, dimensions, weights, serving sizes, and the types of foods that can be prepared in the appropriate slow cooker. 

Brand 

Quart Capacity 

Liter Capacity 

Dimensions 

Weight 

Servings 

Food Preparation 

Elite Gourmet Slow Cooker 

1-2 qt 

1.8 ltr 

8.8 x 8.8 x 6 inches 

5 lbs, 7 oz 

1-2 
singles 
couples 

dips, oats, desserts, appropriate size slow cooker recipes 

Crock-Pot 4.5 Quart Manual Slow Cooker 

3-4 qt 

4 ltr 

8.7 x 12.2 x 12.2 inches 

9 lbs, 5 oz 

3-4 
couples 
families 

casseroles, soups, stews, breakfasts, desserts 

Calphalon 5.3-Quart Digital Sauté Slow Cooker 

5.3 qt 

5 ltr 

17.78 x 14.37 x 23.19 inches 

9 lbs, 5 oz 

5 
families 

roasts, whole chicken, casseroles, soups, stews, breakfasts, desserts 

Crock-Pot 6-Quart Programmable Cook & Carry Slow Cooker 

6 qt 

5.6 ltr 

10.4 x 16.5 x 11.4 inches 

7 lbs, 9 oz 

7 

Meat on the bone, stews, international cuisine 

Crock-Pot 7 Quart Manual Slow Cooker 

7 qt 

6.6 ltr 

9.5 x 14.4 x 14.4 inches 

8 lbs, 4 oz 

6-7 
large families 
entertainers 

5-1b roast, 7-1b chicken, large cuts of meat, large lasagne 

Hamilton Beach 10 Quart Slow Cooker 

10 qt 

11.3 ltr 

12.5 x 15.75 x 11.5 inches 

15 lbs, 6 oz 

9 or more 
large 
families 
entertainers 

10-pound turkey or 12-pound roast 

 

Guide to Crockpot and Slow Cooker Sizes - FAQs

  1. If You’re Cooking for One or Two People: Buy a 3-Quart Slow Cooker.
  2. If You Have a Larger Family or Love Leftovers: Buy a 5-Quart Slow Cooker.
  3. If You Frequently Cook for a Crowd: Buy a 6-Quart Slow Cooker (or Something Even Larger)
Size
  • 1.5 Quart.
  • 2.5 Quart.
  • 2 Quart.
  • 3.5 Quart.
  • 3 Quart.
  • 3-Quart.
  • 4.5 Quart.
  • 4 Quart.

For a family of three to five or a leftover-obsessed couple, a 5 to 6-quart slow cooker is the perfect size. It will fit almost all recipes, including typical roasts. If you’ve got a big family and plenty of storage room, go for the big 7 or 8-quart models.

The sizes five and six quarts are often considered standard crock pot sizes. They’re suitable for whipping up savory crock pot recipes to welcome the fall as well as many other dishes. 6-quart crock pots are definitely a must-have for busy families.

Slow cookers range in capacity, from a compact 1.5 litres up to 7 litres. As a general guide, a 1.5 to 2.3-litre capacity is great for two people, a larger 4 to 4.5 litres will feed four, and 5.5 to 7 litres is ideal for four to six people.

Look for models that can hold between 3.5–5 litres. These bowl capacities will provide plenty of food for larger groups and are ideal for family feasts, entertaining or Sunday suppers.

Larger families are well-suited for 4- or 5-quart slow cookers, which can feed up to six people. It’s a great choice for bigger dishes—like casseroles, stews and full dinners—and it can fit a roast! Not a huge one—stick to a 3–4 lb. roast for this size, and if you need a larger cut, you’ll need a bigger slow cooker.

If you cut down a recipe meant for 6 to feed two people, but still cook it in a 6 quart crock pot, Then yes, it’s probably too big and the meal will likely burn. Using a smaller size will solve that problem. Slow cookers are also great for serving hot dips at parties!

If you decide that you would like to purchase a small slow cooker, the size I recommend for single serving recipes is a 1.5 to 2-quart slow cooker.

Carving the chicken is so easy because it just wants to fall apart. The breast comes right off the bone and is very easy to cut up. The chicken is really tender and flavorful and much easier than roasting a chicken in the oven. I use a 3.5 to 4.5 pound chicken and it fits just fine in my slow cooker.

What Size Crockpot or Slow Cooker Do You Require? 

Wow, that’s a lot of information, but I’m glad you made it to the end of this article! As it means I’ve done my job! 

I am confident that I have assisted you in selecting the appropriate size slow cooker. There is an enormous selection of sizes, shapes, functions (manual or programmable), brands, and prices; there is something for everyone. 

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