A slowcooker goes to work for you when you are not there yourself, convenient right? It is an electric pan that slowly cooks your food, perfect for making food extra tender or letting the flavor soak in better. Remember that the "slow" in slow cooker does really apply, on average it takes up to six to eight hours. So don't expect to have a meal on the table half an hour later. However, it is perfect to start cooking in the morning and then do other things during the day, and at the end of the day you will have a delicious stew.