APPLIANCE RUNNING COSTS · OCT–DEC 2026
How much does a slow cooker cost to run?
Slow cookers run for hours but at very low power, often less than a tenth of an oven’s rating. At the GB average price-cap electricity rate of 26.32p per kWh for October–December 2026, a slow cooker costs about 4.2p an hour at full power, or 34p for a typical 8-hour meal.
PER HOUR
4.2pat 160 W, full powerPER MEAL
34p1.28 kWh over 8 hoursPER WEEK
34p1 meal a week (assumed)PER YEAR
£1867 kWh at the assumed useWork out your own cost
Choose your region or type in your own unit rate, then change the wattage and hours to match your appliance and how you use it. It starts with a week at our assumed use, averaged to hours a day.
1.3 kWh over 7 days · about £0.05 a day
How much electricity it uses
- Morphy Richards ceramic slow cookers are rated at 0.11 kW (1.5 litres), 0.16 kW (3.5 litres) and 0.29 kW (6.5 litres).
- Manufacturers state only the maximum rating, not the power on each setting, so a full-rating calculation is an upper estimate.
| Example | Rated power | Per hour | Per meal | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower | 110 W | 2.9p | 23p | £12 |
| Typical | 160 W | 4.2p | 34p | £18 |
| Higher | 290 W | 7.6p | 61p | £32 |
Usage assumption: One eight-hour cook a week at the maximum rated power. This is our illustration, not a measured average; change it in the calculator.
What drives the cost
- Size: larger pots have higher ratings.
- Hours of cooking and the setting used.
How it compares
| Appliance | Typical use | Energy | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slow cooker | 1 meal, 8 hours | 1.28 kWh | 34p |
| Electric oven | 1 use | 0.79 kWh | 21p |
| Air fryer | 1 meal, 20 minutes | 0.58 kWh | 15p |
| Electric hob (ceramic or induction) | 1 meal, 20 minutes | 0.60 kWh | 16p |
Ways to spend less
- The Energy Saving Trust advises not leaving a slow cooker on longer than necessary, and using the ‘low’ setting if you will be out for longer.
Unit rates vary by region: this period they run from 25.36p per kWh in East Midlands to 27.86p in Merseyside and Northern Wales. See every region’s rate →
Questions
How much does a slow cooker cost to run per hour?
At 26.32p per kWh (the GB average price-cap rate, October–December 2026, Direct Debit, 0% VAT), a slow cooker rated at 160 W costs about 4.2p an hour at full power. Models from 110 W to 290 W cost 2.9p to 7.6p an hour.
How much does a slow cooker cost to run a year?
It depends on how much you use it. Our assumption is one eight-hour cook a week at the maximum rated power. At 26.32p per kWh that comes to about £18 a year (67 kWh). Change the hours or uses in the calculator to match your own.
Is a slow cooker cheaper than an oven?
It depends on the dish. Eight hours at the 160 W rating of a 3.5 litre model uses up to 1.3 kWh, more than one oven energy-label cycle (0.69 to 1.05 kWh), but that cycle is a short standard test. For a dish that would need several hours in the oven, the slow cooker is likely to use less.
Does the cost depend on where I live?
Yes, a little. Price-cap electricity unit rates for October–December 2026 range from 25.36p per kWh in East Midlands to 27.86p in Merseyside and Northern Wales. Pick your region in the calculator, or enter the unit rate from your bill if you are on a fixed or time-of-use tariff.
About these figures
Running costs are energy used × unit rate. They exclude the daily standing charge, which you pay whether or not the appliance runs. Costs per hour assume the appliance draws its full rated power the whole time; many appliances cycle on and off, so real use is often lower. Power ratings and energy figures are examples from the sources below, not a measured UK average.
Other appliances
Sources
- Morphy Richards ceramic 1.5L slow cooker 460300 ↗0.11 kW, 1.5 litres.
- Morphy Richards ceramic 3.5L slow cooker 460017 ↗0.16 kW, 3.5 litres, low/medium/high settings.
- Morphy Richards ceramic 6.5L slow cooker 461013 ↗0.29 kW, 6.5 litres.
- Energy Saving Trust: air fryer vs oven, which cooking appliance is cheaper to run? ↗Cooking tips for ovens, hobs, air fryers, microwaves and slow cookers.
- Ofgem: energy price cap unit rates and standing charges ↗GB average electricity unit rate and VAT basis, October–December 2026.
Last updated 11 October 2026. Figures are dated benchmarks taken from the sources above. How we use sources →