Take a traditional slow cooker, give it home automation capabilities, and you end up with the $130 Crock-Pot WeMo Smart Slow Cooker, coming to retail this August, and the result of an surprising collaboration between Crock-Pot's parent company, Jarden Consumer Solutions , and Belkin's WeMo line of home-automation products. While I've reviewed slow cookers and Belkin WeMo products before, a mash-up of the two is completely foreign. This is the first-ever slow cooker to qualify as a smart home appliance, after all.
I found that, as a slow cooker, this WeMo-enabled Crock-Pot performed admirably, and arguably better than a non-connected $60 Crock-Pot counterpart we reviewed a few months ago. And though the connected features delivered as promised, letting me adjust the cook temperature and timer settings from virtually anywhere via my smartphone, it's hard to argue that they're worth an additional $70, even considering the this slow cooker's strong cooking performance.
Whether slow cooking needs this kind of technological updating is up for debate. I expect there are many people out there who will roll their eyes at this product. If you use a slow cooker often, and you also like the idea of micromanaging the cook and timer settings from anywhere, this connected Crock-Pot will have obvious appeal. For the majority, this will seem like an overpriced appliance that adds unwelcome responsibility to a style of cooking normally prized for its hands-off nature.
The smartest slow cooker we've ever seen (pictures)
Setup and overall design
This six-quart stainless steel Crock-Pot looks similar to the $60 we reviewed earlier this year, although with a higher-end sheen. Clear effort was made to streamline this appliance and give it an updated look. I think Belkin and Jarden were successful -- insofar as anyone would be able to make a slow cooker look modern.
Jarden replaced the dated, touchpad-style buttons with a single button to alternate between high, low, warm, cooking modes and the off setting. A small WeMo logo and an LED Wi-Fi signal indicator are the only nods to the connected tech on the cooking hardware itself. You'll notice them if you look closely at the CrockPot, but they're not so obvious that they give off an overly high-tech aesthetic. A see-through lid with two vents, side handles, and a black stoneware cooking insert round out the design.
The WeMo integration is the most interesting aspect of this slow cooker. It allows you to check the status of your meal and make changes to its settings while you're away from home. No, it isn't really adding more features, it's just changing how and when you can use them.
When you go to work and run errands, you have more control. If you set a pot roast to cook on low for six hours, the Crock-Pot will auto-default to warm mode after that time has elapsed. But if you have a meeting that runs long or if you end up stuck in a traffic jam, you can extend the timer for the warm mode via the app to make sure it doesn't turn off and get cold before you do get home.
This Crock-Pot talks to your phone via Wi-Fi, although Belkin's cloud-based technology lets you send signals to it remotely via cellular network, too. I wouldn't recommend this slow cooker to anyone with consistently patchy home Wi-Fi, though. Instead of seamless app integration, you'll get error messages during Internet outages and notifications saying your food may be "unsafe for consumption."
It supports Android and iOS devices (Android 4.0 or higher and iOS 6 or higher), both of which have a free WeMo app to control the Crock-Pot. In addition to adjusting temperature and heat settings, you can set and modify timers and receive alerts when the timer is done. I've tested the app's functionality and found it to be very simple to set up and use.
I connected my phone to the Crock-Pot in about five minutes, and I was able to make adjustments to the slow cooker's settings using an iPhone 5 and a Nexus 7 tablet on Wi-Fi, 4G, and 3G. And, unlike D-Link's smart app , the WeMo app stores your connected Crock-Pot's setup information and won't make you go through the whole process again after that initial install, unless you want to connect it to a new home Wi-Fi network.
Unlike Belkin's other WeMo products, this slow cooker isn't compatible with IFTTT (short for "if this, then that"), the wide-ranging app that lets you associate devices and various internet services together to execute automated actions. You might set up an action in the IFTTT app to make your lights blink when the slow cooker's timer goes off.
Belkin says on its Web site that it's considering adding IFTTT support to the WeMo CrockPot. The smart home early adopters will miss IFTTT, but I expect anyone new to home automation would either ignore it, or find it an adds too much complexity.
Belkin also told us that it held back the ability to its own WeMo app to trigger a delayed start for the Crock-Pot. There is some appeal in the idea of putting food in a device in the morning before you leave the house, but without a refrigeration function (like the one in FNV Labs' forthcoming Mellow smart sous vide machine ), such a feature creates a food safety issue.
I do wish this Crock-Pot came with a temperature probe. The $60 Hamilton Beach Set 'n Forget 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker I reviewed earlier this year has one, and it was accurate and useful. It would also be a great feature to add to the WeMo app -- set the internal temperature you want your food to reach, let the app track the temperature, have it automatically switch to warm mode when it hits that target, and then send you a notification.
But can it cook?
I compared this smart Crock-Pot to the two best-reviewed slow cookers from previous testing: the $60 and the $60 Hamilton Beach Set 'n Forget 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker . I cooked cannellini beans on high for three hours and then on warm for two hours. I also cooked pot roast on low for six hours. Yes, there was a taste-testing frenzy in the office this week.
I put two pounds of dried cannellini beans in each slow cooker, added 10 cups of water, three cloves of garlic, and two teaspoons of salt. I set them on high for three hours, and then had a taste-test. All three batches were undercooked to varying degrees. The Crock-Pot Cook & Carry's beans were downright crunchy, the Hamilton Beach's beans weren't much better, and the Crock-Pot WeMo's were crunchy too, but not as crunchy.
Then, I let them sit on warm mode for another two hours, got temperature readings, and taste-tasted them again. They were still undercooked (more a failing of the recipe to estimate cooking time), but the Crock-Pot WeMo's beans were edible. The other two slow cookers still needed significantly more time to cook the beans (particularly the Crock-Pot Cook & Carry). After two hours on warm, the Crock-Pot WeMo beans clocked in at 170 degrees Fahrenheit, the Crock-Pot Cook & Carry was 165 degrees, and the Hamilton Beach was 164 degrees.
I checked the wattage of the three slow cookers to see if there was any clear distinction among them. The Hamilton Beach model has 275 watts, the Crock-Pot WeMo model has 250 watts, and the Crock-Pot Cook & Carry has 240 watts. These wattage specs don't seem to relate directly to the results of the bean tests. The model with the highest wattage (Hamilton Beach) had the lowest temperature reading, the model with the lowest wattage (Crock-Pot Cook & Carry) had the second lowest temperature reading, and the model whose wattage fell in the middle had the highest temperature reading. This is probably due to small variations in the heating elements.
After the bean test, I loaded all three slow cookers with chuck roast, potatoes, carrots, onions, celery, garlic, and beef broth. Then, I set each one on low for six hours. At the end of this time, I checked their temperatures. Consistent with the bean test, the Crock-Pot WeMo was the hottest at 206 degrees, followed by the Crock-Pot Cook & Carry at 200 degrees and the Hamilton Beach at 189 degrees.
All of them had well exceeded the 160 safe temperature for chuck roast, so naturally, we had a taste-test. While the temperate disparity was larger than after the bean test, the results were much better. The Crock-Pot WeMo pot roast was the best, tender and falling apart, with soft vegetables that weren't mushy. The regular Crock-Pot was next in line with similar results, but ever so slightly less done. The Hamilton Beach pot roast was by far the worst. It was rubbery and difficult to pull apart; its vegetables were still crunchy.
Overall, I was happiest with the Crock-Pot WeMo's results. It seemed to maintain the highest temp overall but never overcooked anything. So, even though it has a lower wattage than the Hamilton Beach slow cooker, it seemed to cook more efficiently and produce the best, most consistent results. And while the two Crock-Pot brands had similar pot roast results, the Crock-Pot WeMo's beans were noticeably better than the Crock-Pot Cook & Carry's beans -- another indication of the Crock-Pot WeMo's predictable performance over the other two models.
Kitchen appliances large and small are a bit of a sticking point for the Internet of Things. While smart home proponents have managed to find useful applications for their connected gadgets throughout the house, truly useful kitchen devices still largely evade us. Take the LG Smart ThinQ range . Its app was so confusing both during setup and regular operation that it actually made the oven more difficult to use.
But, more and more folks are seeing opportunity in this open smart home sector and are finding new ways to innovate within it. Drop is one such appliance -- this iPad-integrated kitchen scale lets you scroll through recipes and adapt them based on the ingredients you have on hand. While it isn't for everyone, it has clear appeal for iPad users who already use their tablet to peruse recipes.
Belkin and Jarden clearly intended for their smart slow cooker to fall on the Drop side of the connected kitchen pendulum. It's designed to give you greater flexibility over your meal, and it really does. The problem is that a lot of people don't want more control over their slow cookers; they often enlist their slow cookers on days when they don't want to bother with the more involved aspects of the cooking process.
Is the $130 Crock-Pot WeMo Smart Slow Cooker worth it, then? Yes and no. If you want a slow cooker that can make a very good pot roast and don't care about smart features, the $60 Crock-Pot Cook & Carry offers the best value. But, there's a niche group out there that will appreciate WeMo functionality and the remote access you get with the connected model. Since this smart Crock-Pot also happens to be a quality slow cooker, it straddles those two previously unrelated worlds very well. Still, I'd like to see a thermometer probe added to the list of features. And Belkin, what about a smart scale a la Drop?
FAQs
Why is my Crock-Pot not getting hot enough? ›
If your slow cooker is not heating up and the heating element works, check the thermal fuse. The thermal fuse protects your appliance from overheating by turning off the heat when it reaches a certain temperature. This prevents the appliance from catching on fire and is an important safety tool.
Why is my slow cooker not working? ›If the slow cooker doesn't heat, first make sure the power is on at the electrical receptacle. Check the electrical cord. Check the heating element and the appliance controls. If the cooker has a thermostat, service it as you would a switch.
How do I connect my wemo Crock-Pot to WIFI? ›Slow-cooker. When prompted choose your home Wi-Fi network and enter your network password. The setup
How do I reset my wemo Crock-Pot? ›And try again to reset the unit first unplug from the outlet locate the reset button on the right
How can I tell if my slow cooker is working? ›You can test yours to see if it's working properly. “Fill the slow cooker 2/3 to 3/4 of the way full with tap water -- tepid, not too hot or cold,” said O'Dea. “Set it to the low setting, and then check with a food thermometer after eight hours. The thermometer should read at least 185 degrees.”
What to do if power goes out while using slow cooker? ›If you are at home and the food is not done, finish cooking the ingredients immediately by some other means: on a gas stove, on the outdoor grill or at a house where the power is on. If you are NOT at home during the entire slow-cooking process and the power goes out, throw away the food even if it looks done.
Does meat get more tender the longer it cooks in a slow cooker? ›Does meat get more tender the longer you cook it in a slow cooker? Not if you're using a leaner cut in the slow cooker, like chicken breast or pork chops. To help keep these cuts moist, decrease the cook time to 2-4 hours.
Why are my carrots still hard in slow cooker? ›Potatoes and carrots may be hard after being in a slow cooker because they have not heated enough to cook through. Cook these veg for 4 hours on high or 7 hours on low. To soften potatoes and carrots in a slow cooker, chop them smaller, place them at the bottom of the dish, and add more liquid.
Why is meat still tough in slow cooker? ›Browning helps the meat retain its moisture during cooking in a slow cooker. Leaner cuts of meat will become a bit dryer in a slow cooker than fatty cuts. Sometimes, you have to work to find that balance of “not-too-dry” and “still healthy”. Marinate your meat overnight before cooking.
Are there WiFi Crockpots? ›The Crock-Pot® 6-Quart. Smart Slow Cooker with WeMo combines their tried-and-true slow cooking with WeMo wireless technology. A highly-rated product on Amazon, with 4 out of 5 stars, this WiFi slow cooker lives up to the Crock-Pot® name.
Why is my Wemo not connecting? ›
Make sure your router's Wi-Fi is set to broadcast or not hidden. Otherwise, your Wemo device may have difficulties connecting and maintaining a connection to it. Change your router's Wi-Fi channel to avoid interference with other routers in your area that possibly use the same Wi-Fi channel as yours.
Why does my Wemo keep losing connection? ›Make sure that your router is broadcasting your WiFi name at 2.4 GHz frequency and that it supports the Wireless-B, -G or -N standards. If the WiFi name is hidden, your Wemo may experience difficulties connecting or staying connected to your WiFi. Check your router's security settings.
How do I reconnect my Wemo to my network? ›Unplug the device from the wall socket and plug it back in. Next, restart your router, then return to your Wemo app and try connecting it again. This should fix the Wi-Fi connection issue with your Wemo Smart Plug. But if not, keep reading for more troubleshooting tips.
Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low? ›The difference between the two settings isn't a higher temperature, it's the time it takes for the slow cooker to reach the simmer point. On high, that's around three to four hours, and on low, it's seven to eight, according to Crock-Pot. So imagine if your dinner is cooking away on high all day while you're at work.
Should I put slow cooker on high or low? ›It is best to cook on low in a slow cooker to soften the food and allow flavors to develop, especially for a meaty stew or soup. Cooking on high is suitable for lean meats or vegetables. To swap a recipe from high to low setting, double the cooking time. Avoid swapping from low to high settings.
How long does it take for a slow cooker to heat up? ›A crockpot can take 6-8 hours to heat food for the low setting. For the high setting, it will only take 3-4 hours. If you want your food hot fast, a crockpot isn't the best option. It will also depend on the crockpot type and its heating element.
Can I leave food in slow cooker overnight off? ›Most appliances will automatically shut off after 20 or so hours on this setting, but you shouldn't leave food in a slow cooker for an extended length of time. The general rule of thumb is that two to four hours is the maximum length of time you can leave food in a slow cooker on warm.
Does slow cooker turn off itself? ›Essentially, yes! Many newer models have programmable settings to switch the heat to 'keep warm' after a set amount of time, as well as automatic off switches after 24 hours.
Can you stop and restart a slow cooker? ›Can you stop slow cooking and start again? It is not recommended to stop slow cooking and start again, otherwise you risk falling into what the USDA calls the “danger zone” for food, which is 40-140 degrees Fahrenheit. “This is the temperature range at which bacteria (like Salmonella and E.
Why is stew meat so tough? ›The second way to overcook your meat is to cook it at too high of a temperature. If you don't leave the beef simmering at a low and slow temperature, the proteins in the meat will seize up and become tough, and the collagen and fat won't have time to break down, leaving you with a rubbery, inedible product.
Is it OK to cook beef on high in slow cooker? ›
Cover the slow cooker and cook your beef joint for 5-8 hours on LOW or 3-6 hours on HIGH. A large topside joint requires around 5-6 hours on LOW setting or 3 on HIGH whereas a brisket can happily cook for up to 8 on LOW and 6 on HIGH.
Does meat need to be submerged in slow cooker? ›It should just cover the meat and vegetables. Don't overfill your slow cooker, or it may start leaking out the top, and the food won't cook so well. Half to two-thirds full is ideal – certainly no more than three-quarters.
What takes longer to cook carrots or potatoes? ›Typically potatoes take longer to cook than carrots. To make sure the vegetables are finished at the same time, cut the potatoes smaller to speed their roasting along.
Why is my chicken dry in the slow cooker? ›If the chicken is cooked too long, it will become dry (even if you use broth or water). That means the best way to keep chicken from drying out in a crockpot is to stop cooking it as soon as it reaches the proper internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Do potatoes need to be submerged in slow cooker? ›Nope! Some people soak their sliced potatoes in cold water to remove some of the starch, but that is fully unrelated to cooking them. Slow cooker potatoes do not need to be submerged to cook.
Does roast get more tender the longer you cook it? ›Does chuck roast get more tender the longer you cook it? It does! The secret to an incredible beef chuck roast recipe is to let it cook for long enough. I cook my chuck roast for 6 hours and 20 minutes, and by the time it's done it's fall-apart tender with soft carrots and potatoes all cooked in the same pot.
How do you make dry meat moist again? ›You can add a little bit of water or broth to a pan and simmer the meat for a few minutes. The goal is to allow the liquid to penetrate the meat without allowing it to overcook even more. This should take a couple of minutes. If you add a couple tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice, this also helps revive the meat.
Can you cook pork in slow cooker without liquid? ›Most meats also release liquids during cooking.
Because of this additional liquid, you can cook fatty meats like lamb shank, beef shin, pork shoulder, chicken wings, and drumsticks without adding extra water or broth. However, leaner meats such as fillets and chicken breast will not turn out well if you dry cook them.
The Chef iQ Multifunctional Smart Cooker connects to an app with guided recipes that teach you how to pressure cook, slow cook, steam, sear/sauté, and ferment.
What is a smart crockpot? ›What Makes a Smart Slow Cooker? The smart Crockpot connects to your Wi-Fi at home or a friend's house. It syncs up with the WeMo app, and you can use the app to do all sorts of things, like set or change cook time, monitor what's cooking and even control the temperature.
Can you use a timer plug with a slow cooker? ›
Electrical Hazard
You can use delayed timers for certain fixtures and appliances around your house, such as lamps, but in general, electricians do not recommend using these units for anything that contains a heating element, such as slow cooker.
Slow cookers are fairly straightforward to repair if you can find the proper replacement parts.
How does an electric slow cooker work? ›In a slow cooker, heat begins at the base and works its way up the sides, then into the food. The steam generated from the heat creates a vacuum seal with the lid. Low and consistent temperatures help to retain moisture during cooking. The liquid does not evaporate or become concentrated.
Will a slow cooker boil water? ›You can boil water in a crock pot, but it will take about 2 hours or longer on the High setting. The exact time will vary depending on the amount of water and model of slow cooker. In addition, the water inside a crock pot will likely stabilize at a simmering boil and may never reach a full rolling boil.
What temperature do slow cookers work at? ›The slow cooker cooks foods slowly at a low temperature, generally between 170 and 280 degrees F, over several hours. The combination of direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking and steam, destroys bacteria making the slow cooker a safe process for cooking foods.