Comparison: What Ribs Are Best For Slow Cooker (Updated | Dec 9th)
When it comes to slow-cooked ribs that fall off the bone with minimal effort, not all cuts are created equal. The secret to tender, flavorful ribs lies in choosing the right type and preparing them correctly for your slow cooker. Whether you’re team pork or prefer beef, understanding the differences between baby backs, spare ribs, and St. Louis cuts will transform your next meal from good to unforgettable.
- Best for spacious family cooker: Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker
- Best for party-size portability: Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker
- Best for effortless family meals: Hamilton Beach 6-Quart Slow Cooker with 3 Cooking Settings
- Best for bbq flavor shortcut: Sauer’s BBQ Pulled Pork Slow Cookers
- Best for precision cooking pro: Hamilton Beach Portable 6 Quart Set & Forget Digital Programmable Slow Cooker with Lid Lock
- Best for space-saving design: Hamilton Beach 6 Quart Slow Cooker with Space-Saving Folding Handles
- Best for mess-free cleanup: 20 Counts Slow Cooker Liners and Cooking Bags
- Best for compact family choice: Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Slow Cooker with 3 Cooking Settings
- Best for gathering essential: 8-Quart Digital Programmable Slow Cooker with Timer – Small Kitchen Appliance for Family Dinners – Serves 10+ People – Heat Settings: Keep Warm
- Best for lid rest convenience: Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker with 3 Cooking Settings
Product Comparison: What Ribs Are Best For Slow Cooker
Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR), Versatile Cookware for Large Families or Entertaining
- Generous Capacity: 7-quart slow cooker that comfortably serves 9+ people or fits a 7-pound roast
- Cooking Flexibility: High or low slow cooking settings, with convenient warm function for ideal serving temperature
- Convenient: Set it and forget it feature enables you to cook while at work or performing daily tasks
- Minimal Clean-Up: One-pot cooking reduces dishes; lid and removable stoneware are dishwasher safe
- Versatile: Removable stoneware insert can be used in the microwave or an oven up to 400°F
- Stylish: Stainless steel exterior with black accents and practical plastic handles
- Economical & Healthy: Provides a cost-efficient way to prepare nutritious, home-cooked meals
Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker, Extra Large 10 Quart, Stay or Go Portable With Lid Lock, Dishwasher Safe Crock, Black (33195)
- PERFECT FOR A LARGE GATHERING: The 10 quart slow cooker lets you cook enough food for a gathering of 12 or more people and fits a 10 lb. turkey or a 12 lb. roast.
- REDUCE SPILLS: The lid clips tightly to the slow cooker handles to reduce messy spills when transporting food. Carry hot meals to family gatherings, potlucks or to serve at the table without worrying about spills.
- COOK FLAVORFUL MEALS WITH MINIMAL EFFORT: This Hamilton Beach slow cooker has simple controls that make it easy for you to create flavorful meals with minimal effort and great results. Just turn the dial. No watching needed.
- MAINTAIN THE IDEAL TEMPERATURE WITH 3 HEAT SETTINGS: Just turn the dial to choose from 3 heat settings. Cook your meal on Low or High, and then switch to Warm when cooking is complete for food that’s warm and ready when it’s time to eat.
- EASY TO CARRY WITH FULL-GRIP HANDLES: The large slow cooker is easy to lift and hold onto when carrying to the table to serve a meal or when taking food to gatherings.
- SIMPLE TO CLEAN: The removable stoneware crock and glass lid are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
Hamilton Beach 6-Quart Slow Cooker with 3 Cooking Settings, Dishwasher-Safe Stoneware Crock & Glass Lid, Silver (33665G)
- PERFECT FOR FAMILY MEALS AND ENTERTAINING: The slow cooker has a large 6 quart stoneware crock that holds enough to serve 7+ people. It will fit a whole 6 lb. chicken, a 4 lb. roast or enough barbecue to make up to 25 sliders
- EASY TO CARRY: With full-grip handles, the large slow cooker is easy to lift and hold onto when carrying to the table to serve a meal or when taking food to gatherings.
- DELICIOUS MEALS WITH MINIMAL EFFORT: The Hamilton Beach slow cooker makes it simple to create delicious, flavorful meals without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. It’s sure to become your go-to slow cooker. Just add ingredients and turn the dial.
- MAINTAIN THE IDEAL TEMPERATURE WITH 3 HEAT SETTINGS: Just turn the dial to choose from 3 heat settings. Cook your meal on Low or High, and then switch to Keep Warm when cooking is complete for food that’s warm and ready when it’s time to eat.
- FAST AND EASY CLEANUP: The removable stoneware crock and durable glass lid are both dishwasher safe.
- BUILT FOR LONG-LASTING PERFORMANCE: The easy-to-use slow cooker is made of quality materials for years of cooking, and it’s backed by a 1 year limited warranty.
- SURPRISING THINGS YOU CAN MAKE IN YOUR SLOW COOKER: Make a wide variety of foods, from breakfast casserole and blueberry cobbler to lasagna, and even mulled wine.
- TAKES THE STRESS OUT OF FAMILY MEALS: The Hamilton Beach slow cooker does the cooking for you, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with the ones you love.
- WHAT’S INCLUDED: slow cooker base, stoneware crock, glass lid
Sauer’s BBQ Pulled Pork Slow Cookers, 1.60 Ounce (Pack of 1)
- Convenient seasoning blend crafted by Sauer’s
- See ingredients for instructions
- 1.6 ounce packet of Sauer’s BBQ Pulled Pork Slow Cooker Mix
- No Artificial Flavors
- Since 1887 Sauer’s was the first company to make pure flavoring extracts available to home cooks in grocery stores and by 1927 Sauer’s grew to be the largest producer of extract and spices in the nation.
Hamilton Beach Portable 6 Quart Set & Forget Digital Programmable Slow Cooker with Lid Lock, Temperature Probe, Dishwasher Safe Crock & Lid, Stainless Steel (33969A)
- NOT YOUR MOM’S SLOW COOKER: Smart technology allows you to cook a recipe to either a desired cooking time or specific temperature, before automatically switching to Warm when it’s done.
- PATENTED TEMPERATURE PROBE: Place the temperature probe into large cuts of meat to cook to a precise temperature. The control panel will display the food’s exact temperature as it cooks.
- CLIP-TIGHT GASKET LID: The lid clips securely in place, perfect for taking the slow cooker to a party, potluck or tailgate. The tight seal helps prevent messy spills along the way.
- EASY TO CLEAN: Removable and dishwasher safe crock and glass lid make cleanup simple.
- 6 QUART CAPACITY: Spacious size is perfect for a 6 lb. chicken or 4 lb. roast.
- YOUR CHOICE COOKING: Three smart settings – probe, program and manual – allow you to cook foods to a specific temperature, for a set number of hours or on High, Low or Warm settings for up to 24 hrs
- POWER INTERRUPT PROTECTION: During a momentary power interruption of 5 seconds or less, the slow cooker will remember the programmed heat and time settings and continue cooking.
Hamilton Beach 6 Quart Slow Cooker with Space-Saving Folding Handles, 3 Heat Settings, Dishwasher Safe Stoneware Crock and Glass Lid, Black (33664)
- UNIQUE FOLDING HANDLES: The full-grip handles lift up for carrying and down when storing the slow cooker or when you need to make more space on the countertop. The handles are easy to grasp when carrying food to the table or to gatherings.
- PERFECT FOR FAMILY MEALS AND ENTERTAINING: The large slow cooker has a 6 quart stoneware crock that holds enough to serve 7+ people. It will fit a whole 6 lb. chicken, a 4 lb. roast or enough barbecue to make up to 25 sliders
- MAINTAIN THE IDEAL TEMPERATURE WITH 3 HEAT SETTINGS: Just turn the dial to choose from 3 heat settings. Cook your meal on Low or High, and then switch to Keep Warm when cooking is complete for food that’s warm and ready when it’s time to eat.
- FAST AND EASY CLEANUP: The removable stoneware crock and durable glass lid are both dishwasher safe.
- TAKES THE STRESS OUT OF FAMILY MEALS: The 6 quart slow cooker does the cooking for you, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with the ones you love.
20 Counts Slow Cooker Liners and Cooking Bags, Extra Large Size Fits 6-10QT Pot, 14″x 22″, BPA Free, Suitable for Oval & Round Pot -1 Pack
- Extra Large Slow Cooker Liner: Cook food to perfection! Plastic liner bags fit in your slow cooker and prevent meats, fish, and other food from sticking. These inserts are disposable and can be tossed in the trash when done.each bag measured 14 x 22 inches to fit 6 to 10-quart slow cookers
- Package Contains : This package contains 20 large size slow cooker liners,14 x 22 inches, Fit 6QT to 10QT Slow Cooker, Pans, and Aluminum Cooking Trays.
- Food Safe : BPA-Free slow cooker liner. Safe for high, medium, and low settings temps. Suitable for oven roasting, microwaving, re-heating, bowling, freezing, storing meats, snacks, pizzas, nuggets, and vegetables without the mess.
- Durable and Convenient : Use our slow cooker liners to cook any food you like, include chicken, fish, soup, dessert and stew. Throw it directly into the trash after using. Shorten your cleaning time, keep the pot clean and extend the service life of the cookware.
- Precautions : Our slow cooker liners is a one-time use product, please be careful not to be cut by sharp objects before use to avoid leakage. You can also use two slow cooker liners at one time to make your meal more enjoyable .
Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Slow Cooker with 3 Cooking Settings, Dishwasher-Safe Stoneware Crock & Glass Lid, Stainless Steel (33140G)
- EASILY COOK FLAVORFUL MEALS: This Hamilton Beach slow cooker has simple manual controls that make it easy to create flavorful meals with minimal effort and great results. Just turn the dial. No watching needed.
- FEEDS THE WHOLE FAMILY: The 4 quart slow cooker has a stoneware crock that’s perfect for one-pot meals, meat and poultry. It will hold a 4 lb. chicken or a 2 lb. roast. Serves 4+ people.
- MAINTAIN THE IDEAL TEMPERATURE: This slow cooker lets you cook your meal on Low or High, and then switch to Keep Warm when cooking is complete to maintain the ideal temperature until you’re ready to eat.
- EASY SERVING: The removable stoneware crock makes it easy to carry meals from the slow cooker to the table.
- SIMPLE TO CLEAN: This slow cooker has a removable stoneware crock and glass lid that are dishwasher safe and easy to clean. The crock can also be used in the oven or microwave
8-Quart Digital Programmable Slow Cooker with Timer – Small Kitchen Appliance for Family Dinners – Serves 10+ People – Heat Settings: Keep Warm, Low and High
- MULTIPLE HEAT SETTINGS – Select between “Low” or “High” cooking temperatures. Depends on what you are cooking and how long you want to slow cook for. Also, use the “Keep Warm” setting to keep your food warm for hours after you are finished cooking.
- PERFECT FOR SERVING A FAMILY GATHERING – This 8-quart slow cooker pot would be perfect to serve a group of 10+ people. Enough food for a large family dinner!
- DISHWASHER-SAFE POT INSERT & GLASS LID – Nobody wants to spend time cleaning up the mess after a long day. The ceramic pot insert and glass lid are dishwasher-safe for easy clean up!
- MAKE STEWS, ROASTS, PASTA, & MORE – cook up a variety of food options for all kinds of occasions. Never again worry about getting bored with the same old dish day in, day out!
- THE PARTY POT: Keep your dishes warm throughout the party or event with the “Keep Warm” function; Perfect for potlucks and parties
Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker with 3 Cooking Settings, Dishwasher-Safe Stoneware Crock & Glass, 8-Quart Built-In Lid Rest, Black
- EASY SERVING WITH MESS-FREE LID REST: A built-in lid rest holds the lid securely in place for easy serving and directs condensation back into the crock. The lid rest doubles as a cord wrap for easy storage.
- PERFECT FOR LARGE MEALS: The 8 quart slow cooker has an extra-large capacity, oval-shaped stoneware crock that can fit a variety of foods. It will hold an 8 lb. chicken or a 6 lb. roast. Ideal for feeding friends or a large family. Serves 10+ people
- EASY TO CARRY WITH FULL-GRIP HANDLES: The large slow cooker is easy to lift and hold onto when carrying to the table to serve a meal or when taking food to gatherings.
- MAINTAIN THE IDEAL TEMPERATURE WITH 3 HEAT SETTINGS: Just turn the dial to choose from 3 heat settings. Cook your meal on Low or High, and then switch to Keep Warm when cooking is complete for food that’s warm and ready when it’s time to eat.
- DELICIOUS MEALS WITH MINIMAL EFFORT: The Hamilton Beach slow cooker makes it easy to create delicious, flavorful meals without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. It’s sure to become your go-to slow cooker. Just add ingredients and turn the dial.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
What capacity slow cooker should I choose for cooking ribs?
For cooking ribs, consider a 6-quart or larger slow cooker to accommodate full racks comfortably. The 6-quart models from Hamilton Beach can fit a 4 lb. roast or enough barbecue for 25 sliders, while larger options like the 7-quart Crock-Pot or 8-quart Hamilton Beach provide even more space for bigger cuts or multiple racks.
Are programmable slow cookers worth the extra cost for cooking ribs?
Programmable slow cookers like the Hamilton Beach Set & Forget model offer significant advantages for cooking ribs, as they allow you to set precise cooking times or temperatures. The temperature probe feature is particularly valuable for ribs, ensuring they reach the perfect internal temperature without overcooking, then automatically switching to warm when done.
Which slow cooker features make transporting ribs to gatherings easier?
Look for models with secure lid-locking mechanisms like the Hamilton Beach Stay or Go with clip-tight gasket lid or the Set & Forget model with clip-tight lid. Full-grip handles are essential for safe transport, and the unique folding handles on the Hamilton Beach 6-quart model make both carrying and storage more convenient.
How do I prevent my slow cooker ribs from sticking and make cleanup easier?
Using slow cooker liners like the 20-count BPA-free liners that fit 6-10 quart models can prevent sticking and virtually eliminate cleanup time. Alternatively, all the featured slow cookers have removable, dishwasher-safe stoneware inserts and glass lids, making post-cooking cleanup relatively simple even without liners.
What type of ribs work best in a slow cooker?
Both pork and beef ribs work well in slow cookers, with baby back ribs and spare ribs being popular choices. The oval-shaped slow cookers like the Crock-Pot 7-quart or Hamilton Beach 8-quart models are particularly well-suited for accommodating longer racks of ribs without needing to cut them.
Are there any seasoning products specifically designed for slow cooker ribs?
While Sauer’s offers a BBQ Pulled Pork Slow Cooker Mix that could work well with ribs, you can also use any dry rub or liquid seasoning blend. For best results, apply your seasoning before cooking and consider adding a small amount of liquid to prevent drying, as slow cooking naturally intensifies flavors.
What’s the difference between manual and digital slow cookers for cooking ribs?
Manual slow cookers like the basic Crock-Pot or Hamilton Beach models offer simple dial controls with Low, High, and Warm settings, which is sufficient for basic rib recipes. Digital models like the 8-Quart Digital Programmable or Hamilton Beach Set & Forget provide more precise temperature and timing control, which can be beneficial for achieving consistent results with different rib recipes.
Can I brown my ribs in the slow cooker before slow cooking?
While most slow cookers aren’t designed for browning, the Crock-Pot 7-quart and Hamilton Beach 4-quart models have removable stoneware inserts that are oven-safe up to 400°F. This allows you to brown your ribs in the oven first, then transfer the stoneware directly to the slow cooker base for the slow cooking process.
How do different slow cooker sizes affect cooking time for ribs?
Larger slow cookers may require slightly longer cooking times for the same amount of ribs due to more surface area and heat distribution. Most recipes can be adapted between different sizes, but it’s important to ensure the slow cooker is at least half full for optimal cooking results, regardless of the total capacity.
