Find the best coffee machine for your home with our top 16 picks for your money. Featuring pod, bean-to-cup, filter, and espresso machines, our guide to the best coffee machines is the result of hours of taste testing and some sub-par latte art. If you’re anything like us, you won’t be able to function before you’ve had your morning coffee. However, gone is the day when you would need to go to your local coffee shop to pick up your go-to. Now, using the best coffee machine, you can make your own americano of flat white using machines with one-touch pods or an in-built grinder with attached milk wands for steaming. And with Black Friday coffee machine deals just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start buying.

Lovers of flat white or cappuccinos will want a coffee machine that comes with a milk wand or some form of milk dispensation, which is often a feature of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines. Others will just want a coffee machine that makes fuss-free drinks with the press of a button. The best pod coffee machines are ideal for this, and there are many options with a range of pod flavours and brands.

If you want an affordable coffee machine, you can choose a pod or ground coffee machine. These save you the effort of buying a machine with a coffee grinder mechanism, which cuts down on cost up-front. However, if you want a coffee machine for a super fresh brew, a bean-to-cup offers some distinct advantages.

We have tested each and every one of the best coffee machines on the market, from top brands like Lavazza, Melitta, Smeg, Breville, Sage, and illy, so whether you want a mighty machine to replace your local coffee shop, or a budget-friendly filter coffee machine that keeps your caffeine levels high, we’ve got an option for you.

How we selected the best coffee machines

Image credit: David Giles

The coffee machines featured in this guide have all been tested as you would use them at home. We’ve considered the type of coffee machine – pod coffee machine, bean-to-cup coffee machine, filter coffee machines and espresso coffee machines – to cater for the varying household demands. With this comes the job of deciphering usability, maintenance, the amount of space the machine takes up, upfront costs and running costs. It’s (not) been a hard job! We like coffee as much as you probably do, maybe even a shot more.

Keep scrolling to see which of the best coffee machines in the UK made our shortlist. The handy pricing widget underneath the products will ALWAYS display the best price, too, so you don’t need to go elsewhere to track down a good deal either.

Best coffee machine 2021

1. Breville Bijou Espresso Machine

The best coffee machine for homemade espresso

Best for: espresso or long coffee
Type of coffee: ground
Pressure: 15 bar
No. of cups: up to 2
What we like:

• Continuous extraction
• High quality steam wand
• Stylish brushed finish

What we don’t like:

• Low filter can get in the way

Make any type of coffee with the Breville Bijou Espresso Machine. It has a high-quality steam wand which is perfect for texturising milk, and there are two filters to choose from, which is great for  having single or double shots of espresso. You need to wait for your coffee machine to heat up before twisting the dial to the left, which will continuously extract hot coffee until you switch it back. This will be good for some, and not so good for others. Some will prefer an exact espresso measurement, whereas others will just want a long coffee to fill up their favourite mug.

Using grounds, you can easily tamp and twist to secure your filter with the included scoop and tamper. There is no jug included, but it will be easy to buy one for cheap online. Just press the steam milk button and wait for it to stop flashing before twisting the dial to the right and clearing out the wand. Then, it’s easy to create that high-pressure whirlpool to achieve that perfectly hot milk with a creamy latte finish.

If we have a complaint, it’s that the filter hangs quite low and can get in the way of some taller mugs. We did have to fill up a smaller mug and then pour into a longer latte mug to make some drinks. For the money, this is a brilliant coffee machine.

Ideal Home rating 4.5 out of 5 stars

2. Cuisinart Veloce

The best coffee machine for bean-to-cup functions

Best for: lovers of frothy coffee
Type of coffee: bean
Pressure: 15 bar
No. of cups: up to 2
What we like:

• Can make milky and long coffees automatically
• Simple digital instructions
• Cleaning is easy

What we don’t like:

• You need to clean the milk frother after each use

The Cuisinart Veloce packs in a lot of value for the price, which, admittedly, is one of the highest in our guide. The digital display shows a menu of numerous coffee options, from espresso shots to cappuccinos. You can adjust the size of your drink in millilitres, the proportion of milk to coffee and the level of froth you would like if you do opt for a milky coffee. The milk dispenser is also removable, so you can keep it in the fridge between uses.

We enjoyed being able to save custom drink preferences, which made coffee rounds seriously straightforward. The machine runs a self-cleaning cycle after every drink, which only lasts a few seconds. After making a milky drink you need to add the tube to a glass of water, where it will clean itself out after each use. This is a bit of a faff if you drink a lot of latte, but we just kept a glass of water handy in preparation.

Cleaning is made easy by the on-screen instructions which guide you through the whole process. The digital display may be less charming than some of the other best bean-to-cup coffee machines on the market, but it really does make life a whole lot easier.

Ideal Home rating 4.5 out of 5 stars

Read our full Cuisinart Veloce coffee machine review

3. Swan Retro One Touch Espresso Machine

Best coffee machine for quirky style

Best for: value and retro style
Type of coffee: grounds
Pressure: 13 bar
No. of cups: 2
What we like:

• So many colours
• Milk dispenser
• Reasonable price

What we don’t like:

• Removable tray feels flimsy

The Swan Retro One Touch Espresso Machine is a retro-style coffee machine with all the modern touches you need to make your coffee shop favourites. The milk frother is very easy to use, and there are two sizes of beverage in three drink types.

You need to add and tamp your own grounds to use the Swan Retro One Touch Espresso Machine, and we found that it can get a little messy to work this way. The pressure gauge will help you to tell if your machine is ready to go, and it also makes sure you’re getting the most of out of your beans.

The tamp drips slightly once your coffee is done pouring. We suggest putting a cup underneath it to prevent it from splashing into the plastic base.

Ideal Home rating 4 out of 5 stars

Read our full Swan Retro One Touch Espresso Machine review

4. Lavazza A Modo Mio Idola

Best pod coffee machine

Best for: space saving
Type of coffee: pod
Pressure: 15 bar
No. of cups: 1
What we like:

• Easy to use
• Stylish design
• Four brew sizes

What we don’t like:

• On the expensive side

Small kitchen? Short on space? This pod coffee machine from Lavazza will fit in nicely. Despite its small size, it will make a statement not only on how it looks but also because it’ll make a punchy coffee. The entire range of Lavazza A Modo Mio pods are compatible with the Lavazza A Modo Mio Idola which means that you can opt for a selection of espressos whenever you want them. The good thing here is that the pods are made with an innovative, compostable biopolymer, which means that they’ll naturally biodegrade.

Keeping the machine clean is pretty straightforward. You’ll just need to run a cycle WITHOUT a pod inserted to flush out the system. It would also be worth just wiping it down with a damp cloth to remove any finger marks or coffee spills.

Ideal Home rating 4.5 out of 5 stars

Read our full Lavazza A Modo Mio Idola review

5. Sage Bambino

The best coffee machine for compact design

Image credit: Sage

Best for: espresso and milky coffee
Type of coffee: ground
Pressure: 9 bar
No. of cups: up to 2
What we like:

• High quality extraction
• Great filter selection
• Preheats very fast

What we don’t like:

• Noisy brewing

Home baristas will love the Sage Bambino, which is Sage’s latest and most budget-friendly coffee machine. It’s not cheap (of course, it’s Sage) but it is decent value-for-money, with pre-infusion which very effectively extracts creamy and smooth crema for a luscious layer on top of your espresso. The preheat is only three seconds, which is very impressive, and the milk steaming wand also preheats very fast. It gives out 130-degree steam which was very effective at creating steamed milk in a jiffy.

When extracting we did find that the Sage Bambino rattles slightly, so it’s not the quietest coffee machine on the market. Cleaning is easy though, with a drip tray that simply pulls out for a rinse, and an easily flushed steam wand.

Ideal Home rating 4.5 out of 5 stars

Read our full Sage Bambino review

6. BREVILLE VCF125 Mini Barista Coffee Machine

The best coffee machine for every coffee imaginable

Best for: all coffees
Type of coffee: ground
Pressure: 15 bar
No. of cups: up to 2
What we like:

• Makes a lovely coffee
• Easy to set-up and maintain
• Compact so doesn’t take up too much space

What we don’t like:

• No adjustable mug height
• Stainless steel easier marks

This coffee machine will help you to hone in on those barista skills which you thought you never had. It is a little faff to set up each time you want a coffee BUT it the end result is so worth it. You’ll need to add fresh water to the 2 litre reservoir tank, heat your mug with the steam wand (if you desire), froth your milk in the jug, fill up the one or two shot espresso discs and hit the button. It’ll make an americano, latte, flat white, or cappuccino but you may have to perfect those swirls on the top with the milk jug and frother.

A point worth mentioning is that try not to fill up the shots with coffee. There will be a resistance when you go to secure the handle, and will be tempted to force it. Don’t do this. Just tip some of the coffee grounds back into the bag.

Cleaning and maintenance is easy but will need regular attention to keep it look in tip-top condition. The stainless steel shell will need a buff-up every other day, and the drop tray emptied as and when too.

Ideal Home rating 4.5 out of 5 stars

7. Gastroback Design Espresso Barista Pro

The best coffee machine for barista-style coffee

Best for: being a home barista
Type of coffee: bean-to-cup
Pressure: 15 bar
No. of cups: up to 2
What we like:

• Reasonably priced for a bean-to-cup
• Simple and sleek controls
• Makes countless coffee types

What we don’t like:

• No indicator when it runs out of water

Gastroback is a relative newcomer in the world of coffee machines, but it really impressed us in testing. The grind is fully adjustable depending on the type of coffee you want to make, and you can make soft steamed milk for a latte or a sturdy foam for some cappuccino using the attached milk wand.

While it’s 15 bar (when many of the similar models on the market are 19) the Gastroback Design Espresso Barista Pro does make very delicious coffee. It does either single or double shots, so it is not best suited to making long coffees, but if you enjoy getting creative with your drinks, it makes a wonderful machine to hone those barista skills.

The sleek stainless steel design has a black touch display panel, and it also has buttons to run some hot water to top up espressos. It is very easy to clean, but we did think that for the price it could use an alert to show you when the water level is low.

Ideal Home rating 4.5 out of 5 stars

8. Illy Iperespresso Y3.3

Best compact pod machine

Best for: quality coffee
Type of coffee: pod
Pressure: n/a
No. of cups: 1
What we like:

• Super compact design
• High-quality coffee
• Great range of colours

What we don’t like:

• Basic functions

The illy Iperespresso Y3.3 comes courtesy of some serious espresso masters. We found that the pods with this machine yielded a rich brew, whether we opted for long americanos or short espressos. There is a fold-out shelf to brew espressos, and simply place your mug under the dispenser for anything taller. Of course, you do lose the option of making lattes or flat whites when you’re working with such a compact machine, but what it does it does very well.

We’re partial to the blue, but there’s also a striking red or subtle white option, so matching the Iperespresso to your kitchen will not be a problem. Cleaning is easy too, thanks to automatic descaling, but we did note that the drip tray cannot be removed, which means it’s a little fiddly to clean on the regular.

Compact kitchens will benefit from the Y3.3’s narrow dimensions. It’s only 10cm wide, which is seriously teeny, but the cord is one metre in length meaning it can be placed just about anywhere on your countertops.

Ideal Home rating 4 out of 5 stars

9. Smeg DCF02

Best filter coffee machine

Best for: making a really good filter coffee
Type of coffee: ground
Pressure: n/a
No. of cups: up to 10
What we like:

• Excellent filter
• Feels really sturdy
• Available in six (lovely) colours
What we don’t like:

• Bulky ‘small’ design
• A little tricky to fill up the water tank

We fell in love with this filter coffee machine from Smeg the moment we saw it. It’s a very neat, simple design which is available in a suite of colours so it can be bought to match your kitchen decor. On the subject of design, however, it is a little bulky and can take up a fair amount of space in a small kitchen. It’s also a little tricky to fill up the water tank but there are ways round that, such as pulling the coffee machine away from the wall and from underneath the wall units. Not ideal but it solves for the problem – for us it did, anyway.

It uses filter coffee to make a quick and easy fresh brew for up to ten. If there’s less than ten of you then you can simply use less water, or just more coffee. A keep warm plate will unsurprisingly keep the coffee warm for you, too, but not for much longer than a couple of hours. Oh and another thing to note is to NOT turn off the machine at the plug after each use because all settings will be cleared. It’ll mean that you’ll need to run through the set-up process again, and no one has time for that.

Ideal Home rating 4.5 out of 5 stars

10. Lavazza Voicy

The best smart coffee machine

Image credit: Lavazza

Best for: smart design
Type of coffee: pod
Pressure: 19 bar
No. of cups: 1
What we like:

• The in-built Alexa speaker
• Compatible app to customise your brew
• Easy to clean

What we don’t like:

• You’re limited by only two buttons

It’s not cheap, but the Lavazza Voicy is the best smart coffee machine we’ve reviewed. It has an Alexa smart speaker front and centre, which will make you a fresh brew if you simply command it to make you a coffee. You can also ask for a hot coffee, which will boost the temperature, and a long coffee, which will deliver a lungo instead of a cappuccino.

The Lavazza app can be used to customise your coffee, with several profiles to adjust the number of ounces that go into your favourite beverage. That means you won’t be limited by the two buttons on top of the coffee machine, and if you don’t drink much espresso, you can change the preset for both buttons to something more your liking.

If you pair your Lavazza Voicy with your Amazon account you can use it in the place of a regular smart speaker. This is ideal for playing your favourite podcast while you do the washing up, or checking the time when you are in a rush.

Ideal Home rating 5 out of 5 stars

Read our full Lavazza Voicy review

11. Sage Barista Express

Best bean to cup coffee machine

Best for: home baristas
Type of coffee: beans
Pressure: 15 bar
No. of cups: 10
What we like:

• A fully customisable brew
• Looks the part
• Pressure gauge allows you to optimise for different bean types

What we don’t like:

• It could be overwhelming for some

We love that the Sage by Heston Blumenthal Barista Express coffee machine can grind your beans, brew them, and even steam the milk for lattes and cappuccinos. Everything from the grind coarseness to the volume can be adjusted manually for that shot of espresso, just how you like it, and the pressure gauge shows you the optimum levels to aim for when brewing.

The Sage by Heston Blumenthal Barista Express isn’t a cheap option, but compared to some of the other options on the market it’s a good middle ground between value and quality. Cleaning is easy enough and needs to be done every month or so using the included insert for the portafilter and tablets. A word of warning though, be sure to empty the tray before it gets too full or it will get messy!

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

12. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

Best pod coffee machine for strong espresso

Best for: strong coffee
Type of coffee: pod
Pressure: 15 bar
No. of cups: 1
What we like:

• Quality design
• Aromatic coffee
• Reasonable price

What we don’t like:

• No size presets

If you value a good quality espresso, the Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie is a top choice. It comes in a range of dashing shades and sits pretty on any kitchen counter. The pods are recyclable, albeit through Lavazza’s slightly complicated scheme, and the machine is very easy to use. You simply pull up the lever, insert your pod, and push it back down to start the brewing process.

You press to start brewing, and then press again to stop the process. This has pros and cons, because while it’s nice to see a coffee machine that offers a fully adjustable length of coffee, you do need to stand by while it brews.

Ideal Home rating 4.5 out of 5 stars

Read our full Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie review

13. Melitta Barista TS Smart coffee machine

Best smart coffee machine

Best for: smart features
Type of coffee: beans
Pressure: 15 bar
No. of cups: 10
What we like:

• We LOVE the smart features
• Fully automatic
• Smartphone controls

What we don’t like:

• A little hefty for small kitchens

This coffee machine does it all. It’s a super smart choice in more ways than one; from the grinding of the beans to the frothing of the milk, which can all be controlled on your smartphone. Yep we know. Impressive stuff.

Making an espressos or cappuccino is spot on, as you’d hope – but there are actually 21 coffee recipes you can create. The onboard milk frother is super easy to use and effective, too, plus it self-cleans, which is ALWAYS a win for us. And – if you’re into grinding your own coffee beans – then you’ll be happy to know that the integrated grinder is quiet when operating; that said, there’s the option, as with most models of this type, to use pre-ground coffee, too.

Usability-wise, we’re overwhelmed (in a good way) by the smartness. You just need to download the app, which allows you to control the coffee machine from your smartphone. Your favourite coffee choices can be saved so you’ll always get the cup you want, and there are some useful tips on getting the best from your coffee machine, too. More on those coffee choices: this machine has the My Coffee Memory function which has the ability to save the coffee preferences of up to eight people, and four pre-programmed classic specialities: espresso, cafe creme, cappuccino and latte macchiato. It’ll even just give you hot water, too, should anyone dare to ask for tea instead.

Ideal Home rating 5 out of 5 stars

14. Morphy Richards Verve Pour Over Coffee Machine

Best filter coffee machine for value

Best for: value
Type of coffee: ground
Pressure: n/a
No. of cups: up to 12
What we like:

• Makes a good coffee on a budget
• Easy to set up

What we don’t like:

• Hot plate doesn’t stay on for long
• Clock is difficult to read in low light

A filter coffee machine offers excellent value for money; the coffee grounds can be bought from the supermarket and the machine itself can be picked up for circa £50. And this coffee machine from Morphy Richards is no exception.

We love how full-flavoured the coffee is. This is all down to the pour over shower head and cupcake filters which evenly disperses water over the coffee grounds to release all those lovely rich flavours and aromas. It’s also super easy to use with a coffee strength selector and programmable timer. This means that you’ll also have total control over exactly how you want your coffee. Have guests coming over post-lockdown? You can pop a brew on for 12 with this coffee machine. Anything less and you’ve over calculated how much coffee you’ll need then you’re going to have to drink-up (or pour it away) if you want a warm coffee because the hotplate won’t keep it long for much longer than 20 minutes.

15. Nescafe Dolce Gusto Genio Plus

Best coffee machine for cold brews

Best for: cold brews
Type of coffee: pod
Pressure: 15 bar
No. of cups: 1
What we like:

• Easy to set up and use
• Suitable for use with cups and mugs

What we don’t like:

• Pods are not recyclable in household waste

If you like to use a pod coffee machine, and like cold drinks then, this coffee machine from Nespresso ticks all the right boxes. It’s so versatile. As with many pod coffee machines you have access to a pantry-full of variety of drinks, too. During testing it was all these things which really impressed us, along with just how compact it is which was a relief for our reviewer who has very limited workspace.

To prepare for its first use, just a couple of system rinse-throughs were required. And then to make a drink it was just a case of opting for a pod, filling the 0.8 litre water tank and selecting the correct setting. It’s worth looking at the instructions on the pod packets so you get the correct temperature settings and strength, as they all differ slightly. For example, if you’re expecting a milkshake but end up with a hot chocolate although it’s not exactly the end of the world but it may just be something which you simple do not fancy at that time.

There’s not too much cleaning and maintenance required on this coffee machine, although you may want to wipe it down every other day or so. After a couple of heavy months you’ll noticed that the automatic descaling alert will light up on the hood. Some descaling solution will need to be bought for £5.80 (for 2 bottles) at Dolce Gusto and instructions will need to be followed, but that’s all there is to it. Just a couple of things to note about the pods, however: they are NOT recyclable with your household waste and just be careful handling them after making a hot drink because they can be very warm.

Ideal Home rating 4 out of 5 stars

16. Sage The Barista Pro SES878BSS coffee machine

Best high-end bean to cup

Best for: making a coffee from scratch
Type of coffee: beans
Pressure: 15 bar
No. of cups: 10
What we like:

• Super quick to heat up
• Easy to use
• Impressive steam wand

What we don’t like:

• If stainless steel is not for you, look elsewhere

As you can probably tell, we are BIG fans of coffee so we’re easily impressed when we find a machine which can grind, brew and make a delicious brew. This is a pretty expensive coffee machine – we give you that – but if you are a regular punter down at the local coffee house then you’ll soon earn your money back with one of these. You’ll also have coffee on tap which is a welcomed relief with all that working from home and homeschooling the majority of us have been doing for the past year-or-so.

The burr grinder will work its magic on coffee beans of your choice which can be adjusted, if needed. It’ll heat up in about three seconds so you won’t be waiting long for your next caffeine-fix. And that steam wand is simply FAB which will see you flex those evolving barista skills. Just one thing to note: the stainless steel version of this coffee machine will mark easily, although (technically) it’s brushed.

How we test the best coffee machines

It’s a tough job but someone has to do it, right? We like to get hands-on experience with as many products as we can before featuring in our buyer’s guide, and if we get to drink the rewards – even better! We understand that there’s A LOT of choice out there when finding the best coffee machine and, really, the only way to find out which one will be the most suitable for your lifestyle is to test one out for size. This is not always possible though, we get that, so luckily that’s where we can help…

What is the best coffee machine?

To recap, our favourite coffee machine for 2021 is the Breville barista mini coffee machine. It’s relatively inexpensive and gives you the opportunity to practice making all sorts of coffees. Our reviewer even made a few hot chocolates with the steam wand. The machine doesn’t take up too much space on the kitchen side, either, plus it’s easy to keep clean so long as you keep on top of it.

The post Best coffee machine 2021: the 15 best pod, filter, and espresso machines appeared first on Ideal Home.

The Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser is Hotel Chocolat’s answer to the best milk frothers for making perfect hot chocolate. Designed to be paired with the brand’s range of luscious hot chocolate flavours, the Velvetiser is at the top of everyone’s Christmas lists this year. It’s an expensive pick though, so before parting with your hard-earned cash, you may want to know if the Velvetiser is worth the money. That’s why we took it for a spin in this Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser review. Here’s what we thought.

Ideal Home rated: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Reasons to buy: 

• Sleek and simple design
• Makes perfectly crafted hot chocolate
• Cleaning is easy
• Comes in a range of gorgeous colours

Reasons to avoid: 

• It’s an expensive pick
• The glasses get quite hot!

Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser

Specs:

• Size: ‎28 x 46 x 16 cm
• Colours: White, Copper, Charcoal
• In the box: Two glasses, Velvetiser, removable whisk
• Capacity: 220ml
• Power: 420–500W

Setting up the Velvetiser

Everything about the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser is easy to get to grips with, and that includes the setup. It comes with a kettle-style electric base that allows you to easily slot the Velvetiser onto place. From there, you just need to press the button underneath the handle.

The Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser comes in three colours, and I received the white colour. It’s larger than I expected, but very tactile, with a textured handle that makes pouring very easy. Other thoughtful touches I enjoyed included the 360 pouring spout, which is great for left-handed or right-handed users.

It comes with two beautiful cups, with the same capacity as the Velvetiser itself, so don’t expect to make two servings in one go with this machine. The cups are 220ml which doesn’t sound like much, but it’s plenty when you’re drinking rich and luxurious hot chocolate.

My Velvetiser came with a collection of Hotel Chocolat’s different flavours, including dark chocolate, hazelnut, ginger, and even chilli. This is a great way to try the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser, with the chocolate it was designed to be paired with, although there’s nothing stopping you from pairing it with another type of chocolate.

Making hot chocolate

It’s a simple process: pour in milk (cow’s or plant-based) until you reach the clearly marked line at the side of the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser. Add in the whisk, which simply slots into place, and then pour in your chocolate of choice. I went with the dark flavour for the purposes of this Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser review, and I was surprised by how much chocolate comes in one sachet. This is a hot chocolate maker for serious chocolate lovers!

You press the button on the side of the Velvetiser to get the process started, and a gentle whirlpool will start inside your machine. It has a lid that simply slots on top of the Velvetiser, but I wouldn’t worry about splashes when making your drink.

The process took about two minutes, and I was left with very creamy and thick hot chocolate at perfect drinking temperature.

Pouring was easy and I was left with no chocolate at the bottom of the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser. The glass was left with a layer of creamy froth, but I did find that it got quite hot, so I had to wait before holding it to have a sip.

I have no complaints about the hot chocolate. It was comparable in quality and texture to hot chocolate I’ve had in chocolate shops and the dark flavour was rich without being too sweet. When I went back for seconds I tried the ginger flavour, which had some subtle heat that was perfect for a seasonal drink.

Cleaning the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser

While it’s not dishwasher-safe, you will find the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser very easy to clean. Its lining is non-stick and you simply fill with water up to the Max line and then add a few drops of washing up liquid to run a self-clean cycle.

Then, just add the lid and press the main button, before rinsing out after the cycle is done. I’d recommend cleaning as soon as you’ve poured your drink so prevent any chocolate from sticking to the whisk, but if it does get stuck, simply lift it away and gift it a wash in the sink.

Should you buy the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser?

I would definitely recommend buying the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser. While in many ways it’s comparable with a milk frother, it does a very different job, and there is really no alternative if you want a hot chocolate maker to use all winter long. I loved the consistency of the hot chocolate it made, which had no firm froth but plenty of body. It’s exactly the kind of thing I can imagine using after returning from a winter walk or when treating myself on the weekends, and it also has a luxurious look that will slot easily into any kitchen.

Retailing at £110, the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser is by no means cheap. We’re hoping to see some Black Friday Velvetiser deals over the next few weeks to knock the price down a little, so stay posted if you want to find it at a discount.

About this review, and our reviewer

Millie Fender heads up all things small appliances at Ideal Home. There’s nothing she loves more than testing out the latest and greatest cooking gadgets, for indoor and outdoor use, from toasters to air fryers. Millie lives in South London and is constantly squeezing more appliances into her modest kitchen. If it makes it onto the kitchen counters full time, you know an appliance is worth the hype.

The post Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser review: we tried the must-have hot chocolate maker appeared first on Ideal Home.

They’re the must-have room for any busy family home, and as utility rooms rise up the wish-list for many homeowners, it’s a space you’ll want to get working straight away. This means avoiding common utility room design mistakes to create the ideal laundry set up.

While you might be looking for utility room ideas on how to style up your shelves, or make a small space work harder, its important to know the things to avoid too, when planning your practical laundry room.

We’ve put together our own tips, plus asked the experts to shed some light on the utility room design mistakes we should all avoid…

Utility room design mistakes to avoid

1. Getting the location of your utility room wrong

Image credit: Future Plc

Whether you have a dedicated room for your utility essentials, or just a tucked away cupboard or bathroom corner, it’s all about getting it’s position right.

Grame Smith, Head of Retail and Commercial Design at Life Kitchens says, ‘A common mistake is not carefully considering what function you are going to use the space for and location of it in the home. A utility room could be located towards the centre of the house, not too far from the bedrooms as most of your washing will come from these.’

‘With the acoustics of appliances running in mind, you may alternatively wish to locate it away from a room where you entertain and socialise.’

2. Opting for bad lighting

Image credit: Higham

As one of the most practical rooms in your home, this isn’t the place for mood lighting. During the planning process be sure to consider your lighting options, as poor lighting can lead to clothing stains not being spotted and care labels not being read properly.

Under cabinet or shelf lighting is great if the space is on the smaller side and there isn’t a huge space for spot lights on the ceiling. Opting for wall lights can be aesthetically pleasing, but think about supporting these with bright ceiling lights for dark days in the winter when natural light levels are at their lowest.

3. Forgetting to measure your appliances

Image credit: Future Plc

Before building your utility space, think about exactly what will be going in to it and where. ‘One common mistake that so many people make is not measuring up their appliances before designing their laundry room’, says Vicky Silverthorn, Professional Organiser at You Need a Vicky.

‘You need to think about what you want to store, be it your ironing board, mop, hoover or laundry baskets and make sure you measure their dimensions before you design your space. It’s no good going for an off the peg design and then expect your items to fit, they won’t, and you’ll be gutted if your smart utility space is ruined by a washing machine that doesn’t fit in it’s designated spot.’

4. Not utilising the space you have

Image credit: Lifestyle Floors

Whilst most utility rooms are often on the small side, that doesn’t mean you can’t max out their potential to give you all the drying space you need for your laundry. If floor space is lacking, think about rigging up a hanging clothes airer from the ceiling on a simple pulley system. This way the floor is left clear of clutter but your clothes can still be drying inside on wet days.

Another tip is to stack your washing and dryer, rather than placing them side by side. Again this saves on floor space and make the most of the height of the room rather than the width. a great idea to free up space in a narrow utility room idea to maximising compact space.

Where you can, always opt for a deep sink so you can soak more in one go. You can always use the space below it to keep cleaning products too.

5. Getting the finishes wrong

Image credit: The Main Company

It’s worth planning out all the details of your utility room, even down the colours and finishes too.

Alex Main, Director at The Main Company advises, “When planning your utility room design, choose cabinets mainly in a painted finish as this gives the flexibility of a complete makeover if you decide to dramatically change your colour scheme later down the line. It also means even if you want a quick, subtle change, it’s much easier to do’

6. Neglecting a practical layout

Image credit: Life Kitchens

When it comes to the layout of your utility space, its so important to get this right. There’s no point having a washing machine tucked in a corner where you can’t easily get the washing out, or cupboards that open the wrong way for you to see whats inside.

You also need to think about where electrical sockets are, or can be put, plus where your waste pipe is plumbed in too. And of course you’ll want it all to look nice and neat too.

‘Layout is crucial to get right. Plan carefully so that it’s absolutely perfect for you and your lifestyle- it needs to be both functional and somewhere that you love walking into,’ says Alex.

7. Not making use of open shelving

Image credit: Garden Trading

Open shelving is a great way to utilise wall space in a utility room. As well as make a display of your prettier cleaning paraphernalia.

Try decanting washing tablets into glass jars or keeping washing powder in galvanised storage pots. Cleaning products such as sprays could be hidden away inside cupboards but room sprays and linen water look pretty displayed on shelves, so keep these out and at hand.

This simple storage solution is perfect as a budget utility room idea to create an affordably beautiful laundry space.

8. Forgetting to leave space to sort the laundry

Image credit: Future PLC

For a successful utility room, it’s important to have surface space to sort the laundry before and after washing. Worktop space also gives you a place to fold clean clothes or even apply stain remover before popping them in the wash, so try and leave worktops clear of clutter.

If space is tight, look to get a sink cover board which turns your basin and draining board into a flat surface. This can be easily removed when you need to use the tap.

9. Leaving hard floors bare

Image credit: Mereway

Utility rooms can often feel chilly due to the lack of soft furnishings. By adding in a rug, not only will it keep your feet warm, it will also help with stopping any drafts that might come up through the floorboards. Plus it will help with absorbing sound, making it less noisy.

It will also be kinder on your knees when you are bending down to fill and empty the washing machine. Use an anti-slip mat underneath to ensure the rug stays in place. Try choosing a design with some pattern to help elevate the room.

What are the most common utility room design mistakes for laying out?

We asked William Durrant, owner of Herringbone Kitchens to give us the inside scoop on where mistakes are often made…

1. ‘Forgetting space for folding clothes. This is one that is often overlooked but one we find so important in our design. Making sure you have a workspace for folding clothes shouldn’t be forgotten, so they don’t have to put on the floor before folding, and it keeps them all in one place.’
2. ‘ No space or area for hanging clothes to dry. Not everyone has a dryer and not everything can go in a dryer even if you do. So if you don’t have space in your utility room for a clothes horse on the floor, try finding hanging space instead. Again it keeps the room tidy, functional and not spilling out into other rooms.’
3. ‘Not considering space for dirty hampers. Again this is something that is often overlooked, however open cabinets are incredibly useful for this’

Avoiding these common utility room design mistakes will ensure your laundry room is a dream to be in.

The post 9 utility room design mistakes and how to avoid them appeared first on Ideal Home.

Choosing the best slow cooker is easy thanks to our reviews of the top 10 on the market from Crock-Pot, Russell Hobbs, Sage, Morphy Richards, and Swan. While an increasing amount of slow cookers also come with modes for pressure cooking, searing, and even interchangeable lids to double up as the best air fryers, we’ve included a variety of options in this guide at every budget. Slow cookers are a favourite for meal prepping and batch cooking because they’re so low maintenance. Simply prep your veggies, choose your cooking mode, and come back in a few hours to a perfectly cooked meal.

If all you want is the best slow cooker to make stews and tender pull-apart meat, then a manual or digital slow cooker will be more then adequate. However, we’ve also included some multi-cookers in our guide from the likes of Ninja and Drew & Cole to make your buying easier than ever.

Digital slow cookers can be set with a timer to automatically switch to a keep-warm setting once your meal is finished, so if you spend a lot of time away from the kitchen, it may be worth spending a little more to get something with more smart settings.

How much should I spend on the best slow cooker?

Many people opt for multi-cookers that can slow cook and also act as the best rice cookers. However, these machines can cost at least £150, whereas even the best slow cookers can cost as little as £25. If you want an option that can roast and bake with removable inserts that can be used in the oven or hob, which also boasts digital settings, you can expect to pay around £75.

Ultimately, you don’t need to pay much to find a slow cooker to make tender lamb or beef, as well as easy bolognese and flavour-rich stews. Our best slow cooker guide features options from £25, up to £200.

Best slow cookers 2021

1. Morphy Richards Sear and Stew Slow Cooker

Best slow cooker overall

Digital? No
Capacity: 3.5 litre
Features: Hob and dishwasher-safe bowl, three temperature settings
Reasons to buy: 

• It looks great
• It’s easy to store thanks to its lightweight design
• Speedy heatup

Reasons to avoid: 

• It’s not a digital model, so it won’t switch off automatically

Feature-packed, versatile and so simple to get the hang of, you’ll be slow cooking everything you can with the Sear and Stew. It could revolutionise your mealtimes. Its pot is made from aluminium rather than ceramic, meaning you can use it on the hob (not induction) to brown meat and veg. You can then transfer it to the base to slow cook on either high, medium, or low heat.

The Morphy Richards slow cooker’s high setting can also be used to reduce liquid after cooking. In tests, it was used to make a delicious slow-cooked curry, first sautéing meat on the hob. The pan’s base was slippery on the cast-iron support of a gas burner, so it had to be held in position when stirring. This required gloves as the handles grew hot. After, it was transferred to the base to cook on high for four hours.

The slow cooker was easy to set, and although it lacks a keep warm setting, we found that the low heat setting was a suitable alternative. While cooking, it bubbled away well. The exterior of the base only grew slightly warm. Both the pot and the toughened glass lid are dishwasher-safe so clean-up was straightforward.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Read our full Morphy Richards Sear and Stew 3.5 Litre Slow Cooker review

2. Instant Pot Pro

Best slow cooker for multi-cooking

Digital? Yes
Capacity: 5.7 litre
Features: 8 cooking modes, dishwasher-safe settings
Reasons to buy: 

• Modes for cooking anything you wish
• Even the lid is dishwasher-safe
• Delay start mode

Reasons to avoid:

• Pot isn’t non-stick

Instant Pot has been making waves in the States for some time, but now it’s landed here. The Instant Pot Pro is one of the most premium options on offer, which a huge range of smart settings on offer. You can browse through them and save your favourites or most-used on a custom setting bar.

Amazingly smart, the Instant Pot Pro is very safe to use, and the pot allows you to sear either on the hob or inside the cooker before adding stock or tomatoes and setting your meal on to slow cook.

The lid screws into place and can even go in the dishwasher after you’re done. We found that it took just three and a half minutes to preheat and allowed us to preset your cooking mode for up to 24 hours. After 6 hours of slow cooking we had a delicious chicken stew, although we did wish that some recipes were included with the cooker.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Read our full Instant Pot Pro review

3. 4.5L DuraCeramic Sauté Slow Cooker by Crock-Pot

Best slow cooker for large servings

Digital? No
Capacity: 4.5 litre
Features: Hinged lid, multi-use bowl, non-stick
Reasons to buy: 

• Easy to clean by hand
• Generous capacity
• Sear on the hob

Reasons to avoid: 

• Quite expensive for a digital model

Some things may deter you from cooking. Having to transfer food from a pan to a pot, cleaning up or that annoying puddle of water you get from putting the lid down on the worktop. If that’s you, you need this smart model.

This slow cooker has been designed to be easy to clean – food residue just slides off. It’s also dishwasher-safe, and also oven and hob safe, so you can sauté in it. Be aware that the handles get hot, too. Slot in the hinged lid, which also has a seal around the edge, and you’re good to go.

Its manual control features three heat settings – high, low and keep warm – and there’s an indicator light. Given its mid-range price, there are a few extra features you’d expect to have like a timer or automatic controls. Having said all this, it made a fantastic Bolognese sauce in four hours on high. Rich and tasty, with perfectly cooked meat and veg.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

4. Russell Hobbs Sous Vide Slow Cooker

Best large slow cooker for families

Digital? Yes
Capacity: 6.5 litre
Features: Sous-vide, timer settings, keep warm mode, temperature probe
Reasons to buy: 

• Probe for perfectly cooked meat
• Lockable lid
• Can cook a whole chicken

Reasons to avoid: 

• Sous vide takes a while

The Russell Hobbs 25630 Slow Cooker is a true multi-tasker. Armed with a temperature probe and sous vide capabilities, you can make sure that your meat is cooked just right before you cut it open, or fill up a water bath for succulent sous vide fish or veggies. This digital slow cooker comes with a probe and sous vide setting on its front control panel, as well as a regular slow cooker mode. You can set a timer, and choose between high and low heat, as well as a keep warm mode. 

We tested the Russell Hobbs 25630 out on slow cooker stews, as well as a whole cooked chicken. This is when the temperature probe came in particularly useful, because we were confident that our chicken was cooked perfectly when we took it out, with none of the guesswork that come with roast chicken timings. Other features we enjoyed included the lock-safe lid and dishwasher-safe pot, both of which made mealtime easy and stress-free. 

If you buy this slow cooker, you’ll probably want to use its sous vide mode. One thing we found is that you should account for how long the water will take to come to temperature when planning your meal around this. For us, it took about 20 minutes, so we suggest adding already hot water to speed this process along.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

5. Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 Multi-Cooker OP350UK

Best slow cooker for range of functions

Digital? Yes
Capacity: 6 litres
Features: Air frying, grilling, sear, pressure cook, keep warm, adjustable time and temperature
Reasons to buy: 

• It allows you to sear and simmer
• A great one-pot option
• Air frying lid included

Reasons to avoid: 

• Add less liquid to avoid watery stews

The Ninja Foodi Multi-Cooker is certainly mighty, but if you like your gadgets it could be a great investment. You can of course just use this multi-cooker as a slow cooker, for which it has a generous 6 litre capacity, but you can also take advantage of the sear setting to brown meat and veggies before slow cooking for a more rich flavour.

When we tested its slow cooking mode we found that it’s almost too good at retaining moisture. Recipes that came out more saucy in some slow cookers were a little less rich because it’s also designed to be an airtight pressure cooker. That can be remedied though by adding less liquid or taking into account the liquid that will come out of meat and veggies when you add them.

You can place the cooking pot in the dishwasher or wash by hand fairly easily. The Ninja Foodi Multi-Cooker also has a basket insert and can be used to air fry other treats when not in use as a slow cooker. Is this the future of slow cooking? We think so.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Read our full Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 Multi-Cooker OP350UK review

6. Sage The Fast Slow Pro

Best slow cooker for batch cooking

Digital? Yes
Capacity: 6 litre
Features: Multi cooker, smart display, sear function and more
Reasons to buy: 

• It’s a real multi-tasker
• A custom setting for innovating
• Easy pressure release

Reasons to avoid: 

• If you don’t want to pressure cook there are cheaper options out there

Removing the need to sauté in a pan before transferring to the pot, the Fast Slow Pro is as useful for slow cooking converts as it is to experienced cooks. Functioning as both a slow cooker and a pressure cooker, it includes sensors at the top and bottom to monitor temperature. This makes inconsistently cooked stews a thing of the past. Also, you can set this slow cooker to heat for two to 12 hours – ideal if you’re going to be out of the house for a long day.

Its slow cook presets correspond to different types of food, such as pudding, casserole, stock, pot roast and legumes – it also has a custom setting. All settings switch automatically to keep your dish warm at the end. In testing, the sear function was a little too hot and caused oil to spit. Also, the bowl was an awkward shape for turning a chicken while browning.

The chicken was cooked on the pot roast programme after, set on a rack over water, and emerged juicy and so tender the meat fell off the bone. The machine also slow-cooked stock on low for six hours. This produced a rich, flavourful broth without making the kitchen smell from hours on the hob. The slow cooker’s ‘reduce’ function was useful for bubbling away excess liquid after slow cooking.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

7. Swan 1.5L Slow Cooker Retro

Best slow cooker for a classic kitchen

Digital? No
Capacity: 1.5 litre
Features: Retro look, dishwasher safe, transparent lid
Reasons to buy: 

• Looks the part
• Nice and affordable
• Comes in a range of colours

Reasons to avoid:

• No keep-warm setting

Proving that limited worktop on space doesn’t mean compromising on style, this cheerful slow cooker is a welcome departure from so much stainless steel and purely functional designs. Not only is it available in a wide range of colours from pastel Blue to bright Red, it comes with generous chrome handles and a matching control knob.

Inside, a white ceramic pot makes a change from the usual black, and it’s topped off by a glass lid. It’s quite compact, so best suited for solo households or couples and comes with plenty of recipes to try. The only catch here is that you’ll have to adjust the quantities to suit the size of its bowl as they’re portioned for bigger pots.

One plus is the cooker’s auto mode, which cooks on the high setting before switching to low heat for the remainder of the time required. It wasn’t clear at what point in the cooking duration this happens but it provides a useful alternative to its high and low settings. Sadly, there’s no keep warm option, only the low setting if dinner needs to be delayed.

We used it to cook chilli cooked on high, which required sautéing some ingredients beforehand in a pan. After two hours of cooking, the chilli was bubbling and the lid clear, making it easy to check on progress without lifting it.

After four hours, there had been about an inch of liquid evaporation, with some of the meat slightly dry but soft beans. We also used it to simmer rice pudding on the low setting. After five hours there was a slight browned crust around edge but no burns and plenty of liquid, so the pudding wasn’t too thick or clumpy.

The bowl and lid were both easy to clean and dishwasher safe.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

8. Drew and Cole Cleverchef Pro

Best slow cooker for app pairing

Digital? No
Capacity: 4.8 litre
Features: Non-stick pot, keep warm function, digital display
Reasons to buy: 

• The exterior stays cool
• The app has loads of recipes

Reasons to avoid: 

• Accessories need to be hand-washed

We tried everything from baking a cake to pressure cooking rice in the Drew and Cole Cleverchef Pro, and it’s a smart multi-cooker that also wows when slow cooking. The inner pot is non-stick which made cleaning a breeze, and we made good use of the keep warm function which switched on automatically when the recipe had finished cooking.

One of the best things about the Drew and Cole Cleverchef Pro is the app, which comes with a huge range of recipes at the touch of a button. Compared to a lot of multi-cookers the Drew and Cole Cleverchef Pro has an uncomplicated display that’s simple to customise. A great choice for those who want a smart multi-cooker.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

9. Russell Hobbs Chalkboard Slow Cooker

Best budget slow cooker

Digital? No
Capacity: 3.5 litre
Features: Chalkboard exterior, dishwasher safe
Reasons to buy: C

• Chalkboard can be very fun and useful
• It’s nice and compact

Reasons to avoid: 

• No light to show when it’s on

There’s lots to like about the Chalk Board Slow Cooker. It has a 3.5-litre ceramic bowl that can cook up to three or four portions. Its matt black finish is designed to be written on in chalk. So, for example, you could write on what time dinner will be ready, what’s cooking inside or what time to add a final ingredient. It features standard settings of high, low and warm but the control dial is manual so you’ll need to be there to switch between them.

It’s affordable and a good medium size with enough capacity for newbies to experiment with, without occupying too much room. During testing, a few quirks emerged that you’ll need to work around. One is that adhesive left behind from a sticker made writing on the chalkboard area difficult. Another is that there’s no light to indicate it’s on, so you’ll need to preheat it before decanting dinner.

When used to cook soup on high, some steam and condensation escaped from the lid, leaving a puddle of water on the worktop, while the exterior grew very hot. However, the low setting produced a tasty Bolognese meat sauce and the warm function kept food at a hot enough serving temperature. The pot and lid are dishwasher-safe, too, which is advisable as it’s tricky to see food on the pot’s black glaze.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

10. Bosch AutoCook Multicooker

Best slow cooker for keen entertainers

Digital? Yes
Capacity: 5 litre
Features: Multi cooking, smart controls, dishwasher-safe accessories
Reasons to buy: 

• Dishwasher-safe bowl and accessories
• Low maintenance

Reasons to avoid:

• The controls can be fiddly

There’s one area in which slow cookers truly excel and that’s producing top-notch meals that taste like you’ve been slaving away in the kitchen all day. In fact, all you had to do is pop some ingredients in a bowl and walk away. This is what the AutoCook slow cooker does brilliantly, stewing and simmering away while you enjoy a glass of wine with your guests.

Strictly a multi-cooker rather than a simple slow cooker, Bosch’s AutoCook Pro nonetheless performs the role with gusto. Offering up a five-litre cauldron-shaped round bowl, it provides good capacity without the awkward depth. It also uses induction to heat it evenly, removing the issue of hot spots. Also unlike a traditional slow cooker, there’s an abundance of controls to get to grips with. Some are more confusing than others.

The silver lining of this button bonanza is that you have more flexibility with your slow cooking time and temperature as it goes as low as 40C. In tests, the AutoCook slow-cooked eggs in their shells to gently poach them. The resulting eggs were still slightly watery after an hour. However, this slow cooker could be a time-saver for a dinner party. It made yogurt on a slow cooking programme that took eight hours and resulted in creamy semi-set yoghurt. Parts of the lid need to be washed by hand but the bowl and its accessories are all dishwasher-safe.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

How to buy the best slow cooker for you

Image credit: Will Heap

Why do I need a slow cooker?

Slow cookers have got so much going for them, it’s hard not to love them. Not only will a good one save you time and effort in the kitchen, it’ll save you money too. Slow cookers transform cheaper cuts of meat into tender dishes and liven up economical healthy pulses, like lentils, beans and peas. Plus, while they can be on all day, it’s at such a low wattage that it will only cost pennies.

Take a look at the best microwaves for more convenient cooking

Slow cookers are also brilliant for less-than-confident cooks, easily creating all those meals that seem a bit scary on the hob. That’s because slow cooking develops the flavours of food for richer, tastier results. It’s not just dinners that slow cookers excel at making either. They make great porridge, granola, stewed apples, bread and butter pudding, fudge and dips. You can use your slow cooker to melt chocolate, as a Bain-marie.

How much should I spend on a slow cooker?

Slow cookers are one of the most affordable small appliances, and you can buy one for as little as £20. At this price, it’ll be pretty basic in terms of features. Also, the dish may be the traditional choice of heavy, potentially breakable, ceramic. However, you should still be able to simmer and stew whatever you like.

Spend more and you’ll find a greater array of features, such as automatic functions. A bigger budget will allow for a durable metal pot that can be used on your hob and is dishwasher-safe. Stretch your budget to the £100 mark and your slow cooker may also double up as a multi-cooker, so it can cook fluffy rice and steam food, too.

What are the main features of a slow cooker?

Image credit: Russell Hobbs

Slow cooker capacity

The first thing you need to consider with any slow cooker is its capacity – each will list its bowl size in litres. Bear in mind that this won’t translate to the same amount of food, as you shouldn’t fill slow cookers to the brim. This gap allows your food to bubble and simmer properly. The usable cooking space will be around three-quarters of its bowl size, for example, a five-litre cooker can accommodate around four litres of food.

Slow cookers range in size from a compact 1.5 litres to a 6.5-litre bowl, so be sure to choose the right size for the way you intend to cook. As a rough guide, 1.5-3 litres will feed one or two people, 3-5 litres, three or four people and anything over five litres should suit a large family, with six litres or more ideal for batch cooks who like to fill the freezer. Alternatively, a larger cooker is great for those who like to eat what’s leftover for lunch the next day.

Slow cooker controls

Most slow cookers will have similar standard controls – high heat for meals cooked in less than a few hours, low heat for all-day cooking. A ‘keep warm’ mode should hold food at a serve-able temperature without actually cooking it. Some cookers will switch to ‘keep warm’ automatically after an elapsed cooking time, while more basic models need this altered manually.

Slow cookers with digital controls may also have a delay start, which is ideal if you’re out of the house for more than eight hours. This means you can start cooking at a time to suit you – while it’s hard to overcook recipes with a lot of liquid, this gives more freedom with dishes that could potentially start to dry out. A timer is another handy feature – this will either turn the machine off after cooking or put it into a limited time keep warm mode.

One-pot solutions

Basic slow cookers won’t get hot enough to sauté meat or vegetables, so you’ll need to do this in a pan before transferring the contents to the bowl. However, more expensive models offer a different one-pot solution. This can either be bowls that you use on your hob or in your oven in place of a pan (some will even be induction compatible). They will need to be moved to the slow cooker base. Machines with a sauté function for high-heat browning can simply be switched to slow cooking.

Try the best saucepan sets for cooking stews from scratch

The advantage of this is not leaving all that lovely seared flavour behind in a pan, and it reduces washing-up. Finally, look for a slow cooker with a transparent lid, so you can keep an eye on your food’s progress. Lifting the lid of a slow cooker while it’s in use lets out heat and steam, prolonging cooking time. It’s always best to be able to see what’s going on without doing so.

Are slow cookers easy to clean?

You’ll only have a lid and a pot to wash but even so, it’s best to check the cleaning instructions. Budget models with large ceramic dishes may not be dishwasher-safe and the pot can be heavy and cumbersome to clean thoroughly by hand. Dark glazes may also make it hard to see stuck-on food. A non-stick coating on a lighter pot can be a better choice for straightforward maintenance.

What other key questions do I need to ask?

• Does your slow cooker have good heat distribution? Some can suffer from hot spots that cause drying out in corners or at the base. Uneven heat is something that’s more likely to occur in larger bowls.
• Do you need a round or oval bowl? If you plan on making stews and curries, round bowls are ideal as the shape provides even heat. However, they can be awkward to use for a whole chicken or lamb shanks – in which case, an oval bowl will make getting meat in and out easier.
• Do you plan to put food in and dash out of the house? Slow cookers can take a while to warm up, so look for a model with a light to show it’s on. This is a little extra reassurance that you’ve remembered to switch on the socket and aren’t coming home to uncooked dinner.
• Do you need a separate source of recipes? Most cookers will come with a few ideas, which is useful for getting to know what sort of dishes you can make. However, there’s a huge amount of recipes online, so don’t just stick to what it comes with.

The post Best slow cookers 2021: our top 10, reviewed appeared first on Ideal Home.