This week, after many months of researching and searching, I have finally, finally found a small slow cooker. Up until now the smallest I’ve found is a 3.2 litre capacity. I’ve asked large retailers all to no avail, but this week heard from a friend of a friend that the Target store in Hobart stocks a 1.5 litre model.
I immediately raced into Hobart to purchase one. When I found that they cost a mere $13.30 per slow cooker with this week’s 30% discount, I bought two (as you would).
I am currently writing a second slow cooker book, and have had many requests for smaller amounts for smaller families. Even 3.2 litre capacity results in way too much for couples or singles. I have had here an old Monier 1 litre capacity slow cooker, the crock pot produced en masse in the 1970s. It only cooks on Low, as it was designed to do. It had been wonderful for cooking things very slowly, but if you wanted to cook a casserole on the High setting, say within 4 to 5 hours, it was not possible. The model I purchased a couple of days ago has settings for High, Low and Keep Warm. Perfect. I’ve spent the last few days inventing recipes for it (it doesn’t come with an actual recipe book).
I think that the 1.5 litre slow cooker will be a great asset for small families. It would even be possible to cook a small roast or piece of silverside. You would just need to ask your butcher to cut a small piece for you, much as you would purchase a half leg of lamb for instance.
One of the best uses for this small cooker is to cook porridge overnight. I never seem to be organised to cook it in the morning and don’t really like the flavoured or plain instant sachets. Oats are a particularly healthy breakfast option so I tried for quite a while to cook porridge in a slow cooker but seemed to end up with a stodgy, gloopy mass that was unpalatable and frankly plain inedible. The secret I have now found is to use steel cut oats, not rolled oats which you can purchase steel from health food stores.
All you need to do before you go to bed is place ½ cup of these oats in the small slow cooker and add 2½ cups water and a tiny pinch of salt. Stir to combine and place the lid on the cooker. Cook overnight on Low. All you need to do next morning is give it a bit of a stir and serve with whatever you like – honey, fruit, milk, yoghurt and so on.
Of course, if you have a larger family, use a 3.2 to 3.5 litre capacity slow cooker and increase the amounts to 1 cup steel cut oats and 5 cups of water.
Here is one of those recipes I’ve put together for my beloved small slow cooker – it’s a Vegetable Korma – really tasty. It can be used as a side dish or a main meal for a vegetarian, served with couscous, naan breads, pappadums or rice.
Vegetable Korma
150g potatoes
50g kumara (sweet potato)
60g pumpkin
50g parsnip
1 small onion, diced finely
1 ½ teaspoons grated green ginger root
1 clove garlic, crushed
165ml coconut milk
3 teaspoons sweet chilli sauce
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon garam masala
½ teaspoon mustard powder
¾ teaspoon ground coriander
½ teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons tomato paste
Peel the potatoes, pumpkin and parsnip and cut into 1cm cubes. Place in slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients and stir to combine. Place lid on cooker and cook for 3 hours on High or 5 to 6 hours on Low.
sallywise.com.au 
Hi Sally – I would love to find a small crockpot, as you have described. Are you able to tell me the maker of yours pls, so that I can see if it is available in NZ?
many thx, Jenny
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Hi Jenny – the brand of small (1.5 litre) slow cooker is Modern Living. It was (and hopefully still is) available through Target stores in Australia.
The Model number is: SCR-15
Key code: 47590854
APN: 9343135667801
INPUt: AC 220 – 240V – 50Hz – 120W
Made in China
That’s all the information I can glean from the one I have here. Not sure about its availability in New Zealand, but you may be able to make enquiries of any likely suppliers there such as electrical goods stores.
Sally
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I’ve just come across your blog while researching small slow cookers and was wondering how you found using the cooker. Did it meet expectations or were there things about it you didn’t like.
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I really like my small slow cooker. Now that there are only two of us in the household, it is ideal for cooking smaller amounts. I know with the larger ones I could cook a correspondingly larger amount and freeze leftovers, but my freezers always seem to be full of fruit, and anyway, I tend to forget that they are there even if I did actually fit them in.
I do notice however that they cook much faster than a regular slow cooker, so always cook on Low. I have a very old litre slow cooker here, Monier as I recall, and this only has a Low setting. I bought it at a garage sale about 20 years ago. I was always puzzled as to why there was no High setting. Having experienced this newer version, it now makes sense.
So if you ave one, or are thinking of purchasing one, just keep that temperature factor in mind.
Regards
Sally
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Hi Sally,
just wondering if it is possible to put a couple of small pots inside the crockpot. My idea is to make 2 portions of bolognaise and 2 of chili for example at the same time. I appreciate they would cook slower (I assume), as they would be further protected from the heat. Would the crockpot be OK with direct heat and no liquid in it?
I was searching for a small cooker at the weekend with no luck, and then thought about this alternative.
Any thoughts appreciated ;o)
Cheers
Manda (Qld)
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Hi Manda – yes, this should be possible – as you suggest it may well take a bit longer. If I am cooking in another container inside the slow cooker as I do with breads and cakes at times (even pork pies as in “Slow Coker 2”), I always pour about 2.5cm of hot water around the containers to be sure that there is no risk of burning.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Sally
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Woolworth’s is selling 1.5 liter slow cookers for just under $20; bought one today. Thanks for the porridge recipe and the one for vegetable korma and I would love to see more! I have a huge slow cooker and unless I am cooking for a big dinner, it stays in the cupboard. I am a household of one so I am very excited to try some stews and soups in my new little cooker.
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Hi, I have today purchased a 1.5 lt slow cooker (Home Collection) from Woolworths at Civic Plaza Noosa. We are in a caravan travelling and space is a problem. Looking forward to seeing any recipes that you can come with.
Carol
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Hi Carol – I particularly like this one – very tasty. You could use 150g chicken breast or thigh, diced, instead of the potato.
Vegetable Korma
150g potatoes
50g kumara (sweet potato
60g pumpkin
50g parsnip
1 small onion, diced finely
1 ½ teaspoons grated green ginger root
1 clove garlic, crushed
165ml coconut milk
3 teaspoons sweet chilli sauce
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon garam masala
½ teaspoon mustard powder
¾ teaspoon ground coriander
½ teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons tomato paste
Peel the potatoes, pumpkin and parsnip and cut into 1cm cubes. Place in slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients and stir to combine. Place lid on cooker and cook for 3 hours on High or 5 to 6 hours on Low.
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What brand is the small slow cooker please
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I bought the slow cooker at Woolworths – the brand is Modern Living, cost is $19.95.
Regards
Sally
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hi sally
iv just purchased the small 1.5L from woolies can you tell me if I can cook a little roast in there? iv got the meat just not sure how to do it would I add water and cook on Low for how long?
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Yes, you can cook a small roast in the small slow cooker. Just place it in there and turn on the cooker as usual. You don’t need to add water as liquid is formed as the meat cooks. The only thing you need to be careful of is that the roast does not fill the cooker to more than 3cm below the rim. I know that seems obvious, but if it was a beef roast that could be squished into it, it might be tempting to fill it to more than this level. Add some herbs if you like for flavour.
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there is an allergic reaction to coconut here. would carnation milk be substituted or do you suggest something else
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I find carnation milk tends to separate a bit. I’d just use water instead, or stock.
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Looking for a recipe book for a 1.5litre slow cooker
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do you have a 1.5 litre capacity recipe book
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No sorry – I just cut down the quantity in my normal recipes. Need to keep in mind that the cooker can’t be filed to more than 1.5cm of the rim.
Sally
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Hi Sally, A few times a year I am asked to cater for 1 & 2 day horse trails – feeding the vols and judges – anywhere between 30 & 50 people. In past times have served your Bedevilled Chicken, Ratatouille and Tomato & Meatball soup. The first two a number of times! Having just done this again this past weekend and doing another in one month time, I need a change of menu. Some of these people I see every time and they will be wondering if I can only cook a few dishes! Your Vegetable Korma looks promising. Can you tell me if it would be possible to just multiply the ingredients to cook in a larger slow cooker? Mine is a 6 litre. I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards, Jill.
PS I usually cook 2 dishes, a chick/meat and a veg with one being gluten free.
PPS I have 2 of your books, one being your hard back slow cooker recipe book (fantastic).
PPPS I will look our for a small slow cooker for myself – very handy for my family of 3.
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Hi Jill – yes, you can. Just be careful not to overfill the cooker – you might need to do just a little less than double the recipe.
Sally
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I got a 1.5l slow cooker from Woolies tonight. Can’t wait to start using it. Will be great since it’s just me that I cook for.
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Hi Sally!
My dad gave me an Iona slow cooker today without an instruction manual. I’m so glad I came across your site! As a newly single person that works stupid hours, i need to try and eat well. Where can I get your small slow cooker books? They’re a must have in my life!
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I have been given a Modern Living 1.5.L slow cooker, but there is no manual. Is it possible to get one online?
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It should be, most instruction manuals are accessible that way now. Failing that, you could contact the company.
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The Company “Modern Living” doesn’t have an Australian address and doesn’t seem to have a website at all.
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We libe in NZ. I gave my mother-in-law a 1.5l crockpot for a gift (purchased in singapore) 20 years ago. It has recently died and I have googled everywhere I can think of to see if I can source another one. Can you please tell me if there are any currently available in Australia as we have family coming over at the end of August, so they will purchase it for Grandma and bring home.
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You can purchase 1 litre slow cookers from Woolworths. However, I’ve not seen a 1.5 litre in recent times. I do find the 1 litre capacity very handy though. Regards, Sally
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Just saw them re-stocked at the Woolworth’s in Canberra last week (the Majura Park store). And Big W carries them but were out of stock a month ago when my daughter was here and I wanted to get her one.
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Is there a manual for “Home Collection” 1.5l Slow Cooker and were can I get one. Thanks for any information.
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Unfortunately not. I’ve never found one. I usually just halve recipes for a 3.5 litre slow cooker. Except for the liquid – you need to have about half a cup at least.
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Woolworths has a 1.5 litre Adesso slow cooker in store now ( June 2017) with 3 settings for $20. They also have small Adesso rice cookers for same price.
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Found my way here after looking for info about small slow cookers. I have a 6 litre one and it’s great for crowds but not do good for our family of 4. I found a 1.5 litre slow cooker today at Woolworths for $20. Excited to start using it. Thanks for the blog post.
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Just wondering how the 1.5 litre slow cooker you bought from woolworths cooks. Ive just taken the aldi 3 in 1 slow cooker back for a refund because it took over 3 hrs to start cooking a pea and ham soup and did a slow cooked beef stew that was as tough as boots becasue the machine took to long to heat up and the meat turned to rubber. Are you happy with yours? Would you recommend to buy this model? Thanks in advance for your reply.
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Hi Linda – I’ve had great success with the one I bought from Woolworths. Certainly no trouble coming to temperature. I have found that Low is the best setting (though I start it on High for a short time, especially chicken dishes). I think this is because the amount being cooked is smaller, so takes less time. Sally
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Hi Sally! Would you recommend the Target or the Woolworth’s brand for the mini slow cooker?
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I find that they are both good Penny – maybe the Target one just has the edge. Sally
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Have just bought an Adesso 1.5 litre slow cooker from Woolworths and was just wondering if i tried out recipes from a 3.5l slow cooker would i just halve the ingredients? and does that mean the cooking times would be halved as well? Sorry for the mundane question but not sure what to do. Also noticed on your blog at one stage to a lady called sharon with roasting meat question you said make sure to stay 3cm below rim with food but then to another lady it was 1.5cm which one is best?
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Hullo Sally, I have just purchased the small Adesso Slow Cooker SCR 15, at an Op shop for $10, looks like it has hardly been used, so I have been looking up instructions foir its use, and came across this page, which has been very helpful thank you. I have quite a few of your books, & use the 1st Slow cooker one most. Regards Jean Chilcott.
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That’s a bargain Jean, well done! You will get loads of use from it. I have two and use them a great deal. Best wishes, Sally
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Hi Sally
If I halve the recipes how do I calculate the time? Hope you can help. I have a 1.5L slow cooker
Marline
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Hi Marline – the small slow cookers tend to cook quite fast I found so this plays a factor in timing also. You will need approximately half to two thirds the time I have found. Best wishes, Sally
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