This $29.99 Aldi Appliance Is Back for a Limited Time and It’s My Favorite

For years, I saw my slow cooker as a postpartum survival tool that I used to dump, set, and feed everyone. But when I discovered Sarah DiGregorio’s book, Adventures in Slow Cooking, I saw that it could be so much more. I learned that a slow cooker isn’t just for stews and set-it-and-forget-it dinners. It can be a creative, flavor-driven way to cook. It transforms everyday cooking into an effortless, creative process—saving me time while letting me make comforting weeknight dinners.

So, when Aldi’s Six-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker hit the shelves last year, I was inspired to put Sarah’s ideas into practice.

The Ambiano covers all the most important bases of a slow cooker. It offers a generous six-quart capacity that’s perfect for feeding a family or meal-prepping for the week, a programmable timer that can be set up to 24 hours in advance, and an automatic keep-warm function for when the cooking is complete.

The ceramic insert and glass lid are dishwasher-safe, which means cleanup can be as low-effort as the cooking itself. And at $29.99, Aldi’s price also makes it very accessible.

Why I Love Aldi’s 6-Quart Slow Cooker

As a busy parent, I love that it gives me some time back. I can load it up in the morning before (or after) the scramble to school drop-off, then set the timer and walk away. There’s rarely any stirring or babysitting involved, but, most importantly, on the days I use it, I can eliminate the mental load of figuring out dinner at five o’clock, when I’m already exhausted.

The slow, gentle heat not only transforms tough cuts of meat into tender, flavorful dishes, but it also allows me to cook dried beans from scratch without constant supervision. It’s like having a sous chef working for me while I tackle the rest of my to-do list. And because it automatically switches to warm when the cook time is done, dinner waits for me—not the other way around. Huzzah!

How I Use My Slow Cooker

In a world of Instant Pots and air fryers, the slow cooker was starting to feel like a relic. But DiGregorio really revitalized it for me. Now, I use it regularly—not just for a Sunday pot roast or easy chili (which are both delicious, by the way), but for fusion dishes, grain bowls, big batches of caramelized onions (really!), pasta bakes, duck confit, and spaghetti pies.

I make soups (gingery chicken congee is a current favorite), big batches of dal, and, of course, chicken stock. I’ve even used it to make bread, yogurt, and a myriad of desserts, which all felt wildly ambitious until I realized how easy it actually was.

I also love using the warm setting for entertaining. With dishes like spinach-feta dip, Swedish meatballs, mulled cider, and other adult drinks being a breeze to make, I can spend quality time with my guests instead of in the kitchen.

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