In a modern world where both parents are working, having a worm meal when you come home from work seems very unlikely, but what if I tell you there is a way to achieve that?
Imagine if you could just put the ingredients together into a slow cooker in the morning and then go about your day and return to a meal cooked to perfection. That’s where having a timer can help you.
You just have to attach your cooker to a plug timer, set the time, and it will take care of the cooking for you. This means you don’t have to stand there in the kitchen tired after work to get a great meal.
In this article I’m going to be talking about the best slow cooker outlet timer, what makes a good slow-cooking timer, and what you should keep in mind to get the best one.
Let’s get started.
Choosing the best slow cooker outlet timer
The process of choosing the right slow cooker plug timer can be difficult because many parameters should be kept in mind to get the best possible deal.
But after a lot of digging around and research. The NEARPOW digital timer plug is the best option on the market. It offers exceptional quality and functionality along with affordable price tags.
The above product is chosen based on the parameter which I’m going to explain below. You should always keep the parameters in mind to get the best regardless of where you location.
a. Load capacity
Load capacity means the amount of load a device can handle before it breaks down or burns. It is directly responsible for the number of devices it can operate on. The higher the load capacity it has, the better it is.
I would recommend you look out for an outlet timer with a load capacity rating of 1800 watts or 15 amps. This is the ideal load capacity because most American appliances are designed to operate on this standard.
b. Programming
Programming is your ability to set the outlet timer to whatever timer period you want. Ideally, you should be looking for a timer that gives you endless programmability when it comes to time sittings.
The more flexible the outlet timer is in programming the more appliances you can use it on. Digital outlet timers offer much more flexibility when it comes to time sitting than mechanical timers.
c. Display
No matter how well a timer works if the display is not good then there is no way you can tell what you have set the timer to. It’s the one factor that if not done right can render the device useless.
It’s not an issue when it comes to smart timers but that’s just overkill for something as simple as cooking. Look for a display that is wide and clear.
d. The number of ports
The number of ports is the only factor that directly impacts the versatility of the outlet timer. if there are few ports then you can not hook more appliances to it which means it won’t be as useful as it could be.
You should look for at least two outlet ports and in case you need more ports then you can attach a normal power strip to it. I recommend two ports because if in case one dies or burns, you would still be able to use the timer.
e. Backup memory
Having a backup memory in plain words means the ability of the outlet timer to save the programmed time settings in case of a power outage so that you don’t have to program it again and again.
It is such a small thing to look out for but trust me. It gets pretty annoying after a while when you have to manually set the timer again and again after a power outage. That is why you should always check for an outlet timer with backup memory.
List of the top outlet timers for slow cookers
Below is the list of the top timers for cookers. After doing a lot of research and reading hundreds of reviews I think the NEARPOW digital power timer is the best out of the three.
1. Our Selected: Nearpow digital outlet timer
Nearpow was founded in 1999. With 20 years of experience. This company is dominating the market with its diverse and charismatic line of products with exceptional functionality.
The Nearpow digital outlet timer (Amazon link) is among the best when it comes to reliability and functionality. It’s an all-around good product that works well and also looks stylish.
The Good
Below are some of the good aspects of this outlet timer.
The display is loud is clear: One of the biggest problems with digital timers is the display but with this display, you can easily navigate through the timer with relative ease.
It has an LED display which is easy to read and navigate. It’s not backlit and that is something I don’t like about it but at least it’s clear to the eye in the light.
It has a very high load capacity: High load capacity means you can use it on a lot of appliances without having any issues. Which also makes it very versatile.
This timer can handle just about anything Its voltage rating is 120 V. Which means all the American applications would work flawlessly without having any issues whatsoever
You can easily program it: The one thing that I like the most is that it’s very easy to program. The buttons will allow you to program it to whatever time settings you want.
The buttons are made out of plastic but they feel nice to the touch. I like having buttons on the timer because, in case of a Wi-Fi outage, you can still program it manually if you have a smart timer.
It also has a vacation security feature: In case you want to use it to control light you can do that with this plug timer. It is a very versatile timer that can be used around the house.
The vacation security feature will turn on and off lights around the house to make it seem like someone is living there in the house to keep the bad guys away.
The Bad
Although this product seems perfect. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t have any issues. Some of the issues are discussed below.
- This outlet timer is missing a backlit display. Which means navigating it in the dark is going to be a big problem.
- Lack of instruction is also a problem.
These are the two bad aspects of this digital outlet timer. Other than these two minor issues the overall timer is solid and reliable.
The downright ugly
There is only one port on this timer. So in case the port dies it would render this timer completely useless and that is something that bugs me about this timer outlet.
2. Also Great: GE digital timer power strip
General Electric was founded in 1892, by Thomas Edison. This company is everywhere, from small-timers to aerospace technology. It has its finger dipped in every technology of the modern era.
The digital power timer stip from General Electric brings a lot to the table. The abundance of ports makes it very versatile along with durability and reliability.
Important features:
- This timer strip comes with high load capacity which means it can handle all your daily kitchen appliances with ease.
- You can easily program it to whatever settings you like with the soft and easy-to-use buttons.
- The display is also very clear. It’s a multi-line display which means it’s easy to see and navigate.
- There are 8 outlet ports on this timer power strip. Making it very versatile and reliable. It also means you can use multiple appliances at the same time.
- It does not have any backup memory which means you have to manually program the timer every time electricity goes down.
In summary, I think the General Electric timer power strip (Amazon link) is the most bang for the buck product on the market. It offers great value and reliability at very affordable prices.
You can use it on your slow cooker, coffee machine, and much more with ease. The 8 outlets will allow you to hook multiple appliances to the timer at the same time.
3. Also Great: HBN U166
This company specializes in automating your home. It’s a relatively new company but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s not good enough.
The kitchen timer is the best digital plug timer for small kitchen appliances because not only does this product function well, but it is also able to combine that tech into a very stylish form factor.
Important features:
- This timer can handle all indoor appliances because it has a higher load capacity and a voltage rating of 120V. Which makes it very versatile.
- It gives you infinite programming options. This means it gives you the freedom to set it to as many intervals as you want.
- The display is very good, clear, and easy to navigate. You can easily see the numbers but the display is not backlit so using it in the dark is not ideal.
- One of the things that I don’t like about this device is the number of ports. It only gives you one port. But if you need more then just attach a normal power strip to it.
- There is no safety feature in this device. You just have to make your own by setting it to random cycles during the day to keep the bad guys out.
- There is also no backup memory. This means in case the power dies then you have to program it again for it to work.
To cut it short, the HBN U166 (Amazon link) is the best when it comes to getting the job done. It functions well, it’s reliable with a very affordable price tag.
Cooking does not usually require that much and this device can do the job with playing colors. If you are looking for a cheap way to automate cooking, this is the device for you.
Conclusion
Cooking plays an important role in everyone’s life. It is what keeps the family together but in a modern world where both parents are working with lives of their own a worm meal seems unlikely.
A slow cooker timer outlet can fix that. You just have to put the ingredients in the cooker and set the timer and you are set. You can have a worm meal at the end of your tiring day.
As attractive as it sounds there are a few parameters that you should keep in mind to get the best deal possible.
- Load Capacity
- Programmability
- Display
- Number of ports
- Backup memory
In summary, the NEARPOW digital outlet timer (Amazon link) is the best slow cooker outlet timer. It offers a lot of functionality and modes along with very durable build quality and reliability.
It’s made out of PVC which means it won’t crack or break when you drop it. The buttons are nice and soft, the screen is very clear and the timer is accurate along with an amazing price tag.
That’s it, folks. I hope you learned something of value from this article because if you did it would matter a lot to me and hope to see you soon.
Thank you and stay curious.
Questions
Here are some of the most common questions people ask about timers for crock pots.
Q1: How do timer outlets for slow cooking work?
Slow cooking timers work by allowing you to set the exact time at which the timer will start and stop the cooker to get the best outcome for your desired dish.
All you have to do is plug the timer into a normal wall and then attach the appliance to the timer plug, set the time and you are all set and ready for action.
Q2: Can I use a timer plug with my crock pot?
Yes, you can.
Cookers are electric heaters with metal pots on top. This means it converts current into heat so naturally it would require high current and voltage.
Always make sure you buy the timer outlet with a higher load capacity, The ideal load capacity is 1800 W as this is the most common rating for most American kitchen appliances
Q3: What are the benefits of using a timer plug for slow cooking?
The main benefit is control. You can prepare your food even if you are not there. The timer will take care of it you just have to put the ingredients in the pot and go about your day.
You would come home to a meal that is going to be cooked to perfection. If you have a smart timer then you can control your cooker from any part of the world.
Q4: Are outlet timers safe to use with slow cookers?
It depends on the timer. Look for a timer with a higher load capacity than 120 V because most American appliances come within that range. Anything lower than that would not work.
Please check the voltage rating of the timer and make sure you don’t go above the recommended rating to ensure you don’t burn your appliance or worse hurt yourself.
Q5: What features should I look for in a plug timer for slow cooking?
The most common features that you should look for are wattage rating, programmability, a good big and clear display, backup memory function, and safety certificates to ensure you buy a genuine product that is safe to use.
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