Open Thread: Ambiano Programmable 6-Quart Slow Cooker

Last Updated on August 25, 2023

This post is an open thread and contains affiliate links.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Updated for 2023. 

The idea of slow cooking is an old one. Put food in a pot, cooking it low and slow for hours, and then eat. Humans have been cooking that way over fire for eons.

Technically, you can still cook that way if you want to, using a Dutch oven over a gas or electric range. But there are drawbacks to that: it takes up space on the range and some people may be uneasy about keeping a heating element on for so long, especially if it might not be closely attended. Slow cookers are a potential solution because they sit on the countertop and do not have an exposed heating element, which means you can actually leave the house while your dinner cooks.

There are two major kinds of slow cookers, analog and digital. Analog slow cookers typically use a simple knob, while digital ones use a digital keypad to manage the settings. There are tradeoffs. Analog cookers are usually less expensive but can’t be programmed for a specific time. Digital cookers can be set to cook for exact time frames but lose their settings entirely and won’t automatically heat back up if the power goes out briefly while you’re away from home.

Aldi has sold both kinds of cookers over the years. We’ve previously used a large analog one, and Aldi once even sold a triple slow cooker. Now, Aldi is selling a programmable digital one.

What We Know:

The 2022 model.

The Ambiano Programmable 6-Quart Slow Cooker (Product Code: 707454) is an Aldi Find, which means it can only be found in stores for a limited time. Once it’s gone, it’s gone, and you won’t be able get one until it comes back to stores. Aldi doesn’t offer online ordering for products that aren’t in stock at your local store.

The slow cooker cost $29.99 in August of 2023. That’s $10 less than the $39.99 it sold for in 2022. That’s also less than most other digital slow cookers on Amazon. This is yet another example of Aldi lowering the price on certain Aldi Finds in 2023.

Here’s more information on the 2023 slow cooker, according to Aldi:

• Features a programmable digital control
• Easy to clean with dishwasher-safe inner pot and lid
• Warm setting to keep food at serving temperature
• Available in Stainless Steel or Matte Black finish

What We Don’t Know:

While we have used other Aldi slow cookers, we haven’t tried this specific model, so we can’t speak to how well it works or how long it lasts. We’ve created this open thread for users to share their experiences.

Have you used this slow cooker? Let us know about it in the comments.