Non-Toxic Slow Cookers & Pressure Cookers (No Nonstick Inserts)
Slow cookers and pressure cookers hold food at high heat for a long time, so the material of the insert matters to me. Lots of newer models use nonstick inserts. These use stoneware or stainless steel instead.
The main thing to check is the insert, the part that actually touches your food. Many multicookers and "searing" slow cookers now ship with a nonstick-coated pot. If you're avoiding PTFE-type coatings (see our cookware guide for why), look for a glazed stoneware crock or a stainless steel inner pot.
Slow cookers with stoneware crocks
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Illustrative photos, not the actual products. Tap a photo to see that pick on Amazon.
Crock-Pot 7-Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker
A classic manual slow cooker with a glazed ceramic stoneware crock and a glass lid.
Why we picked these
- Crock-Pot 7-Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker Big ceramic-crock slow cooker A classic manual slow cooker with a glazed ceramic stoneware crock and a glass lid. That's ceramic, not nonstick, where the food sits for hours.
- Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Slow Cooker Small ceramic-crock slow cooker A basic 4-quart slow cooker with a removable stoneware crock and glass lid, sized for small families and side dishes.
- Crock-Pot 4-Quart Manual Slow Cooker (SCR400) Compact classic A simple dial-control slow cooker with a stoneware insert and glass lid. Fewer features means less to break.
- Hamilton Beach Programmable 8-Quart Slow Cooker Programmable, big batch An 8-quart programmable slow cooker with a stoneware crock, glass lid and auto keep-warm, for batch cooking and freezer meals.
Stoneware crocks are glazed ceramic. Don't move a hot crock onto a cold, wet counter, as thermal shock can crack it.
Electric pressure cookers with stainless pots
Illustrative photos, not the actual products. Tap a photo to see that pick on Amazon.
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Qt
The best-known multicooker, with a stainless steel inner pot rather than a nonstick one.
Why we picked these
- Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Qt Stainless inner pot The best-known multicooker, with a stainless steel inner pot rather than a nonstick one. It pressure cooks, slow cooks, sautés and makes rice. Worth knowing: The lid has a silicone sealing ring that touches the food and can hold odors; replace it periodically.
- Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1, 6 Qt More presets, same steel pot The Duo Plus adds more cooking presets (including sterilize and yogurt) and keeps the stainless steel inner pot. Worth knowing: Same silicone sealing ring caveat as the Duo.
- Instant Pot Duo Mini 7-in-1, 3 Qt Small kitchen size A 3-quart version with a stainless inner pot, the right size for rice, oatmeal, eggs and small households. Worth knowing: Silicone sealing ring, as on all Instant Pots.
- Instant Pot Genuine Stainless Steel Inner Pot, 6 Qt Spare stainless pot A second stainless inner pot so you can cook two things in a row, or swap out a nonstick insert that came with another model. Check that it fits your size.
Every Instant Pot lid has a silicone sealing ring that touches the food and steam. It's food-grade, but it holds odors and wears out, so plan to replace it every year or so. Some people keep one ring for savory food and one for sweet.
Stovetop pressure cookers
Illustrative photos, not the actual products. Tap a photo to see that pick on Amazon.
Presto 6-Quart Stainless Steel Stovetop Pressure Cooker
A straightforward stainless stovetop pressure cooker with a weighted regulator.
Why we picked these
- Presto 6-Quart Stainless Steel Stovetop Pressure Cooker Stovetop, no electronics A straightforward stainless stovetop pressure cooker with a weighted regulator. There's no inner pot coating and no electronics. Worth knowing: The gasket is rubber or silicone and needs replacing over time.
- Hawkins 5-Liter Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker Indian-style whistle cooker A stainless inner-lid pressure cooker of the kind used every day across India for dal, rice and beans. Simple and very durable. Worth knowing: There's a learning curve if you've never used a whistle-style cooker.
- Fissler Vitaquick 10.6-Quart Stainless Pressure Cooker Premium stovetop pressure A heavy-based German stainless pressure cooker with a quiet spring valve. It's a long-term buy for big-batch cooking.
- T-fal Clipso 8-Quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker One-hand lid A stainless stovetop pressure cooker with a one-hand clip-on lid, easier to open and close than twist-lock designs. Worth knowing: The gasket and some lid parts are silicone or plastic.
Stovetop pressure cookers have no electronics, so there's nothing to fail except the gasket and valve, and those are replaceable. They reach pressure faster than electric models but need you nearby.
Storing leftovers
Once the stew is done, let it cool slightly and move it into glass rather than plastic tubs. Our glass food storage guide has containers that go from fridge to oven.
