Slow Cooker vs Oven – What’s the Difference?

Slow cookers and ovens are two of the most popular kitchen appliances. However, there are many differences between them. If you’re thinking of getting one of them, you might be wondering, “What’s the difference between slow cooker and oven?” In this article, I’ll explain the differences between them so that you can choose the best option for you.

The cooking time is the key distinction between slow cookers and ovens. In comparison to ovens, slow cookers cook at a much slower pace. The size, consistency, cooking process, and energy consumption differ between slow cookers and ovens as well. The quality and taste of the foods also vary.

But these are not explained in greater detail. Many other factors are also different between slow cookers and ovens. Besides, each of them has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. So, it is normal for you to get confused about which one to buy. This article will help you eliminate all your curiosities regarding the differences between slow cooker and oven.

Difference between Slow Cooker and Oven

Microwave and convection ovens are the two main types of ovens. Slow cookers and ovens are used for the same purpose of cooking. However, slow cookers are actually different from all kinds of ovens in many aspects. Now I will discuss the differences between slow cookers and the two types of ovens: 

Process of cooking

Different kitchen tools use different methods of preparing food. So, no doubt, the cooking process in a slow cooker varies from all kinds of ovens.

The electric coils in the slow cooker’s outer base begin to heat up when you turn it on. The heat is then distributed across the entire pot. As the pot heats up, the food begins to heat up as well. 

The steam produced inside creates a vacuum lid. As a result, the heat stays trapped inside and simmers the food.   

Convection ovens use hot air for cooking foods. The thermal insulation method is used in the oven to produce heat. The fans help to circulate the heat all over the food. And the food starts to get cooked.  

On the other hand, a microwave oven cooks food with electromagnetic radiation. The conversion of electromagnetic energy to thermal energy is the central theme of the cooking process.

The friction of molecules produces the heat in the oven. Thus, the food starts to get cooked with the produced heat.

Cooking time

As the cooking process differs, no wonder, the cooking time is also different. You can already guess from the name that slow cookers cook food relatively slowly.

Generally, the average time a slow cooker takes to cook is 5 to 10 hours.

But, the cooking time depends on the recipe you are attempting to make. If you cook the same recipe in a slow cooker, a convection oven, and a microwave, the slow cooker will take a longer time. 

The fan constantly circulates hot air in a convection oven, and the food gets the heat from every side. As a result, foods get cooked in convection ovens pretty quickly. It takes the least time to cook food. This type of oven cooks food 25% faster and starts to cook the food from the outside layer.

Microwave ovens are also fast when it comes to cooking time. Microwave ovens start to cook food from the inner layer. However, there is no fan to ensure that the food receives even heat distribution. Since the heat is not distributed uniformly, it takes longer to cook foods than in a convection oven.

So, basically, the cooking time- Slow cooker > Microwave oven > Convection oven.

Taste and quality of food

In terms of taste and quality of food, convection ovens and microwave ovens are ahead of slow cookers.

Some foods lose their great texture because of spending a long time in the slow cooker. So, the taste gets a little bad. When the ingredients boil, moisture evaporates from them, causing condensation on the lid. As a result, your food may come out lean and watery.

But some flavor compounds can be damaged by too much heat. As slow cookers don’t use a high temperature, there is no chance of this happening in the slow cookers. 

The convection oven helps to keep the food crispy and dry. Foods cooked in convection ovens tend to become brown and crispy. So, the quality and the taste of food cooked in the convection oven are pretty good. 

The microwave uses water molecules to produce heat. So, the foods generally get moisturized. So, the foods that need to be crispy do not get cooked well in microwaves. Other than that, microwave-cooked foods develop a superior flavor and a better texture.

Energy efficiency

The slow cookers are the winners if I talk about energy efficiency. It consumes less energy than both convection ovens and microwave ovens.

Slow cookers use very little energy since they only cook at a low temperature of 170-300 degrees F. It has a close lid that prevents steam or heat from escaping until the food has reached the desired temperature. Thus, it does not need much energy to keep it warm.

Convection ovens are less energy-efficient than slow cookers. As the space is ample, it takes a longer time to heat the area. But it does not use as much energy as microwave ovens.

Microwave ovens tend to cook at a far higher temperature. They also have a much greater capacity, which necessitates more heat. In fact, a microwave oven is estimated to use 2-2.2 kWh of energy, while a slow cooker uses just 0.7kWh.

Price ranges

The prices actually depend on the configuration and features. Each of them has the cheap type and the expensive type. But if I want to compare the costs of the best of each then the price range will be: Microwave oven > Convection oven > Slow cooker

A slow cooker is cheap compared to a convection and microwave oven. The cost of the programmable slow cooker is higher than manual ones. The average price range of slow cookers is 30$ to 150$.

There are different types of convection ovens. If you want high-end convection ovens, then the price will be a little high. But not as high as the price of microwave ovens. The average price range of convection ovens is 100$ to 300$.

Microwave is the most expensive among these three. There are many cheap microwave ovens. But if you want to buy a top-quality microwave oven, you might have to loosen your budget. The average price range of microwave ovens is 150$ to 400$. 

Which One is Best for You?

The best suitable one for you depends on your needs. If you want a low-budget, energy-efficient tool, go for slow cookers. But if your priority is the taste of your food and you want to cook in a short time, choose anyone between a convection oven and microwave.

Keep the following in mind while choosing between slow cookers and ovens-

• If you are low on budget, then consider buying a slow cooker.
• Buy a slow cooker in case you have less space in your kitchen.
• If you are looking for an energy-efficient gadget, go for the slow cooker.
• Invest in an oven if the quality of your food is your top priority.
• Consider buying an oven if you are planning to shorten your cooking time.