I have a confession that I need to get off my chest - I am a bit of a crockpot junkie! I'll admit that I own 4 crockpots (this is down from the 6 I used to have!). All four are different sizes and I use them for different recipes so I think that justifies my crockpot addiction, right?
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My accumulation of crockpots started long ago when I was a young professional just out of college working long hours and sick of eating take-out meals. I got my first crockpot as a gift and immediately fell in love with it. A beef stew was my first crockpot meal and it was AMAZING! My first crockpot was small in volume but it did the trick of feeding me and my roommate with leftovers for lunch to boot.
Fast forward several years to life with a husband and a few kids (4 to be exact) and this little crockpot was no longer able to keep up with demand. Growing kids sure do eat a lot! That is when I knew it was time to upgrade to a bigger-size crockpot. The question I needed to answer was what size would work best for our family of 6. I did a lot of research and thought I would share with you what I learned.
Crockpot Size Guide - What Size Do I Need?
Knowing what you want to cook in your crockpot is a good place to start in determining what size crockpot to use. If you are a seasoned cook or at least past serving ramen noodles or boxed mac & cheese for your main meal you probably have a good idea of how much food you need to make to feed your family.
The most popular general standard-size crockpot to feed a 4-person family is between 5 and 6 quarts. The more people you are feeding the larger size crockpot you will need. Here is a quick guide to help you determine what size crockpot to use:
| Quarts | Serving Size | Food to Prepare |
| 1-2 qt. | 1 - 2 people | oats, dips, dessert |
| 3-4 qt | 3-4 people / small family | soup, stew, casserole, breakfast, dessert |
| 5-6 qt | 5 people / lg. family | soup, step, casserole, roasts, whole chicken, breakfast, dessert |
| 7+ qt | 6-7 people / entertaining a crowd | roast (5+ lbs), chicken (7 lbs), large cuts of meat, lasagne |
| 10 qt | 8+ people / large crowd | roast (12 lbs), turkey (10 lbs), large cuts of meat |
Does Crockpot Size Matter?
Of course, knowing how many people you are cooking for helps you determine how much food to prepare but it is pretty important to make sure you use the properly sized equipment to make your meal.
The space inside your crockpot or the crockpot size relates to the number of hours needed to cook the food. Generally speaking, smaller crockpots take less time while larger crockpots will need more time. Remember to always test the food's temperature to make sure it is safe to consume no matter what size crockpot you use.
The Most Common Size Crockpot
A 5-6 quart crockpot is by far the most popular size owned by the home chef. This size crockpot usually fits nicely into a kitchen cabinet without taking up too much room. It can easily feed a medium-sized family too.
If you are looking for the perfect gift for a wedding shower, housewarming gift or even a Christmas present a 5-6 quart crockpot is a sure winner!
Important Things To Consider Before Purchasing A Crockpot
Today's crockpot has come a long way from the first crockpots on the market! They still make the same great meals but today's crockpots offer so many more useful options. Here are some things to consider when getting ready to buy a new crockpot:
- If you already have a crockpot is this new one a replacement or an upgrade in size? Consider the shape of the new crockpot. If you already have a wide-shaped crockpot that you use for casseroles or a whole chicken get a new one that is tall and great for soups, stews, or sauce.
- Will you be traveling with the crockpot? If you are you definitely want a lid that locks to prevent any spills on your trip.
- Do you have enough storage space in your kitchen or pantry for another crockpot? Think about where you will be keeping it when not in use.
- Manual or high tech? If a traditional type of slow cooker with a few simple settings is all you need then go ahead and get one but if you are looking for something with a few more bells and whistles you will be amazed at how technologically savvy crockpots have become. From programmable digital crockpots to Wi-Fi-enabled ones that allow you to adjust temperature and cooking time remotely you will have no problem finding one with the options you want.
How Long Does A Crockpot Last?
A good quality crockpot that is well taken care of can last between six to ten years before needing to be replaced!
It is a good idea to regularly check the cord to make sure it is in good working condition. If you notice any damage to the cord DO NOT USE the crockpot and dispose of it right away. Also, if grandma gave you her crockpot that has an electric cord wrapped in fabric it is definitely time to replace it.
When you notice your crockpot not heating up food like it used or taking longer to cook to it might be time to replace it. Making sure your food reaches food-safe temperatures (185F / 85C) is important and if your crockpot no longer can do the job it is time to replace it.
Since you make it this far, I think you are well on your way to finding the right size crockpot to fit your needs. With all of the choices of size, shape, and functions there is literally a crockpot for everyone! Let me know what your favorite crockpot meals are by sharing them in the comments!
The Best Crockpot to Buy
After years of using many different types of crockpots for tons of different recipes, I have narrowed down my favorites to two choices, both of which I highly recommend.
I like to use a large oval-shaped crockpot for meals like lasagna, pulled pork or chicken because there is a lot of room horizontally for the food to be placed inside and cooked. I like simple so I don't really care for the programmable kind but this feature is optional and doesn't really affect the taste of the food anyway. Here is my favorite, highly recommended crockpot with the simple dial function and programmable:
