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Home - Slow Cookers & Crockpots

Best Size Slow Cooker for a Family of 4

ByMichelle Updated onNovember 26, 2024

There are conflicting reports all over the internet about “what is the best size slow cooker for a family of 4”.

The best size slow cooker for a family would be a minimum of 4 quarts and a maximum size of 6 quarts. A 4-quart slow cooker would give each family member a reasonable serving depending on how much each person consumes. The 6-quart slow cooker will give all four family members a good serving with leftovers.

what size slow cooker for a family

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclaimer.

What Is the Best Size Slow Cooker for a Family of 4

There will never be a true and correct slow cooker size per family. This should be considered because every person’s serving sizes will differ.

Also, the shape & weight of ingredients should be considered. Stews, casseroles, and small pieces of ingredients fit well into any shape or size of the cooking pot. But large cuts of meat, meat on the bone, and poultry usually fit better in an oval or rectangular-shaped slow cooker.

Best Slow Cooker for…Slow Cooker Size
What Size Slow Cooker for 1?1.5-quart to 2-quart
What Size Slow Cooker for 2?3-quart
What Size Slow Cooker for 3?4-quart to 5-quart
What Size Slow Cooker for a Family of 4?5-quart to 6-quart
What Size Slow Cooker for a Family of 5?6-quart to 7-quart
What Size Slow Cooker for a Family of 6?7-quart or more
What Size Slow Cooker for a Leg of Lamb?5lb leg – 6-quart plus (Oval)
What Size Slow Cooker for Pulled Pork?4-quart, 5-quart or 6-quart
What Size Slow Cooker for a Whole Chicken?5lb chicken 5-quart to 6-quart

Working out What Size Slow Cooker You Need

Use the following formula to determine what size slow cooker you will need when feeding that number of people regularly.

The number of people was then added by two more quarts.

Example: 4 people + 2 = 6-quart slow cooker

Check out this slow cooker size guide that is a quick reference for what size slow cooker you need – or save the one below.

Slow Cooker Suize Guide

The Best Slow Cooker for a Family

After you find out the best size slow cooker for a family, you will look for the best one to feed your family.

The KitchenAid KSC6223SS 6-Qt Slow Cooker has received America’s Test Kitchen’s highest rating for slow cookers.

Let’s go – I can’t wait for you to see the style, features, and practicality of this well-known brand’s offering of the slow cooker.

Learn how big is a 1.5-quart slow cooker.

KitchenAid 6-Quart Slow Cooker

Image of KitchenAid 6-Quart Slow Cooker with Glass Lid

KitchenAid 6-Quart Slow Cooker with Glass Lid

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Slow cookers are one of the most valuable and time-saving kitchen appliances one can own. So, you need a quality product for an appliance you intend to leave in your home when you are not there.

So we will look at the features, benefits, and, finally, what I think of this highly sought-after slow cooker. Let’s see if the KitchenAid slow cooker measures up to the rave reviews we have seen.

If you already know that you wish to purchase this KitchenAid 6-qt slow cooker, click KitchenAid 6-qt slow cooker, and you will be taken through to Amazon for easy purchase and check out.

Slow Cooker Features – KitchenAid 6-Quart

  • 6-quart Removable, Oval-Shaped Ceramic Insert
  • 4 Temperature Settings, Low, Medium, High, and Keep Warm
  • 24-Hour Programmability
  • Large blue LED Digital Display
  • The ceramic bowl and glass lid are both dishwasher-safe
  • Good Customer Service
  • 1-Year Warranty

About this KitchenAid Slow Cooker

The KitchenAid 6-qt slow cooker is a very nice-looking appliance. You will be able to prepare and cook large roasts with vegetables and smaller meals if the need arises.

The casing is brushed stainless steel, and the cool touch handles on the casing are black. There is a large black oval ceramic cooking insert with a glass lid to hold moisture and a matching black and silver lifting handle.

This slow cooker sports an extensive LED-illuminated digital, easy-to-read control display panel. This control panel allows you to easily control your low, medium, high, or keep-warm temperature settings.

It is also where you will set your cooking times with the programmer, which gives you up to 24 hours of programmable time in 30-minute increments.

When cooking is finished, the slow cooker automatically transfers to the automatic “keep warm” setting for up to four hours.

size slow cooker for family

Benefits of this 6-quart Slow Cooker

A benefit that stands out is that the various temperature controls give you more even heat distribution with no hot spots.

It is perfect for cooking dishes like oats or creamy main dishes. When cooking time is complete, they come out creamier and smoother. They are not dry, lumpy, and sticking to the bowl, which is what happens when they boil away at a high temperature.

Some slow cookers that only offer Low or High-temperature settings usually boil away and do not slow cook even if the low setting gets too hot.

This updated version of the large oval slow cooker is taller and narrower than other slow cookers. This is a real benefit when storing the cooker away. It is even more beneficial to display this KitchenAid Slow Cooker on your countertop as it takes up much less room.

The outer casing of this slow cooker is stainless steel, not aluminum, which some other brands offer. The rubber feet on the bottom of the unit are great for not scratching counter surfaces and stabilizing the cooker.

KitchenAid Slow Cooker Problems

Scouring reviews of the KitchenAid 6-qt slow cooker, I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of negative reviews.

There were a couple of reports of the lid not fitting correctly, which were immediately replaced by the manufacturer at their cost.

Some said the low-temperature setting was too low and the high-temperature setting too low. Others responded by saying it is a slow cooker for slow cooking.

If you require assistance using your slow cooker, you can access the KitchenAid slow cooker manual.

What I Think of this 6-quart Slow Cooker

The KitchenAid slow cooker temperatures are the real standout winners for me. No more burnt or stuck food after leaving the cooker on all day. Just cook the food the correct way, and it is ready to serve.

Cooking anything from oats, beans, bone broth, beef stew, pulled pork, meatballs, melting chocolate, and any recipe you want to prepare, this slow cooker doesn’t overcook or dry meals out.

This KitchenAid slow cooker with a standard lid or split lid is a slow cooker. Because the low-temperature setting does mean you can cook traditional slow-cooked meals. It is everything you would expect in a slow cooker and much more.

This product comes complete with a one-year warranty. As well as the reported high standard of customer service from KitchenAid. Which gives us peace of mind when purchasing any product.

This is a great-looking kitchen appliance with many practical functions and will be a feature on any kitchen counter. I don’t think you would be disappointed if you do go ahead and purchase this slow cooker.

See the price, reviews, or go ahead and purchase the KitchenAid 6-Qt Slow Cooker with an easy-serve lid. A standard standard lid is a traditional lid.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the best size for a slow cooker?

The best size slow cooker serves the number of people you feed regularly and the serving size they require. Leftovers are a great bonus, so choosing a slow cooker a little larger than your needs is a good choice.

6-quart slow cooker too big

A 6-quart slow cooker feeds a family of 4 to 5 comfortably. Want to know more about 6-quart slow cookers?

See my article 6-quart slow cookers for a deep dive into slow cookers.

To Finish – Best Size Slow Cooker for a Family

Use the formula number of people you are feeding plus 2, and you cannot go wrong with choosing a slow cooker.

One-Pot Cooking Rocks!

Michelle

Hi, I’m Michelle, the founder, owner, author, and editor of OvenSpot. My passion for one-pot cooking commenced when I was working to prepare cafeteria lunches for school students. I am now on a mission to assist you in choosing the cooking pot or appliance you will use daily. As well as in-depth information to assist you in using and caring for your cookware and appliances. Along with the yummy recipes I use at home.
Questions? Reach out to Michelle at [email protected]

MICHELLE’S FULL BIO

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