How Much Electric
Does a Crock Pot Use?
Slow cookers (crock pots) are one of the cheapest appliances in the kitchen to run, often less than 4p per hour even at current 2026 UK prices. The reason is simple: they are designed to use very little power over a long time rather than high power over a short time.
A typical UK domestic slow cooker (crock pot) draws 100 to 300 watts on the high setting plus 70 to 200 watts on low. At the current Ofgem cap of 24.7p per kWh, an 8-hour low cook uses roughly 0.8 to 1.6 kWh, costing 20p to 40p per session. A 4-hour high cook uses 0.6 to 1.2 kWh, costing 15p to 30p. Across a year of weekly use, slow cookers cost roughly £10 to £20 in electricity total, far less than the equivalent oven cooking.
The figures that matter
Wattage range
Modern UK slow cookers. Older or larger models can be higher.
Per 8hr session
Typical low setting cost for a full slow-cook day.
Average per cook
Real-world energy use across a typical full meal cycle.
vs oven
Slow cookers use roughly one-fifth the energy of a conventional oven for the same meal.
Four things to consider
low wattage by design
Slow cookers operate at a fraction of oven power. Long cook time but minimal load.
sealed lid retains heat
Heat loss is minimal. The crock pot recycles its own steam plus heat through the cycle.
resist lifting the lid
Each lid removal lets out roughly 15 minutes worth of heat. Adds slightly to cycle time plus cost.
cheaper than oven cooking
Stews, curries, casseroles plus pulled meats cost a fraction of equivalent oven dishes.
Why slow cookers are so cheap to run
Slow cookers work by holding a low temperature for a long time. The heating element is rated at a fraction of what an oven heating element draws. A typical UK fan oven runs at 2 to 3 kW. A typical slow cooker runs at 0.1 to 0.3 kW. Even running for ten times as long, the slow cooker uses far less electricity overall.
Real UK 2026 cost numbers at 24.7p per kWh:
- 200W slow cooker on low for 8 hours: 1.6 kWh, 39.5p per session.
- 200W slow cooker on high for 4 hours: 0.8 kWh, 19.8p per session.
- 150W slow cooker on low for 8 hours: 1.2 kWh, 29.6p per session.
- 300W slow cooker on low for 8 hours: 2.4 kWh, 59.3p per session.
- Equivalent oven dish at 2.5kW for 90 minutes: 3.75 kWh, 92.6p per session.
The hidden saving versus oven cooking. The numbers above only count the heating element. An electric oven also has the kitchen warming around it which then competes with whatever ambient heating is running. A slow cooker generates very little ambient heat. In summer this matters because oven cooking forces additional cooling load.
Where slow cookers can run more expensive:
- Models with a digital display plus standby mode draw 1 to 2W continuously when plugged in. Across a year that is 9 to 18 kWh of phantom load (£2 to £4).
- Larger 6.5L plus 8L cookers have higher heating elements (300 to 350W). Per-session cost rises proportionally.
- Cooking thinner liquids requires the lid to seal properly. A loose-fitting lid lets steam escape plus the element cycles longer.
The wattage label rule. Always check the wattage on the underside or back of the slow cooker. Manufacturers vary the rating significantly. A premium-brand 6L cooker might be 250W. A budget 6L cooker might be 360W. The cheaper model could cost 40 percent more in electricity over its lifetime.
Real number ranges
Cost per cook session by setting plus duration
A typical 8-hour low slow cook
element on full
Slow cooker pulls full rated wattage to bring contents up to 80 to 90°C. Roughly 30 to 40 minutes.
reaches temperature
Element starts cycling on plus off to maintain temperature. Average draw drops to around 60 percent of rated.
steady simmer
Cycling continues. Real average draw 50 to 70 percent of rated. Total energy use accumulating slowly.
done
Total session draw 1.2 to 1.6 kWh for 200W cooker. Cost: 30p to 40p at current Ofgem rate.
Four ways to get the most from a slow cooker
Match cooker size to meals
An 8L cooker for one person wastes energy heating empty space. A 3.5L cooker is more efficient for couples or solo cooking.
Use the low setting where possible
Most recipes work fine on low. The longer cook time still uses less total energy than fast oven cooking.
Switch off at the wall after use
Digital-display models draw 1 to 2W on standby continuously. Switched extension lead eliminates this.
Use lid plus do not peek
Each lid lift adds 15 to 20 minutes to cook time. Trust the recipe.
Compare the options
Slow cooker (crock pot)
- ✓100 to 300W rated wattage with cycling actual draw.
- ✓20p to 40p per cook session on low for 8 hours.
- ✓Hands-off cooking. Set in the morning, eat in the evening.
- ✓Minimal kitchen ambient heat. No competition with summer cooling.
- ✓Annual cost roughly £10 to £20 for weekly use across the year.
Conventional electric oven
- ✗2 to 3kW rated wattage with frequent element cycling under load.
- ✗80p to £1 per typical 90-minute dish at the same Ofgem cap rate.
- ✗Active monitoring needed. Set timers, check progress, adjust as you go.
- ✗Significant ambient heat. Kitchen plus surrounding rooms warm up during use.
- ✗Annual cost £100+ for similar meal frequency as weekly slow cooker use.
Slow cookers are one of the easiest energy wins in the kitchen. Our full Appliances hub covers the full kitchen running cost range from kettle to dishwasher.
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This article is one chapter inside our complete Appliances knowledge base. The hub covers running costs across every major household appliance from kettles to heat pumps.
More on appliance running costs
Three further kitchen appliance running cost articles. how much electric does a slow cooker use covers the same category from a different angle. how much electricity does an air fryer use compares the modern alternative. how much electricity does a kettle use sets the kitchen baseline.