Manual or digital slow cooker?

The most basic slow cookers have an On/Off switch and HIGH and LOW settings that you select manually. Some models also include an AUTO setting that cooks food on HIGH for one hour before automatically switching the temperature to LOW. Manual slow cookers are an economical option for anyone who is at home all the time and able to monitor the cooking process.

Slightly more expensive digital models, however, give you substantially more flexibility with programmable timings. If, for example, you aren’t ready to eat when the cooking is complete, most digital models automatically switch to WARM, keeping the food hot until required. I think this is the most important feature, and essential for anyone who wants to put the ingredients in the cooker in the morning and come home to a warm meal that hasn’t been overcooked into mush. The WARM function is also ideal for households where not everyone is eating at the same time, and can be used to keep some conventionally cooked foods, such as soups and stews, warm until it is time to serve. The WARM setting, however, should never be used to cook food.