“Great for keeping a smallish side dish warm at a party!” said one person. The slow cooker has been around for decades because of its ability to “set it and forget it” when it comes to cooking meals.

The Crock-Pot 6.5 Quart Countdown Programmable Touchscreen Slow Cooker (SCVT650-PS) delivered the best slow cooking results and, at $79, is a good deal, making it our pick for the best slow cooker.

With holiday gatherings come the challenges of feeding a lot of hungry people. While grilling for an entire crew is fun, there’s another way to prepare a great meal that requires a lot less effort: A ...