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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Slow Cooker in the US? (2026)
Slow cookers use little power for a long time. An 8 hour cook on low uses about 1 kWh, comparable to running an oven for 40 minutes.
A typical slow cooker (200 W) costs $0.036 per hour, or about $8.64 per month at 8 hours a day in United States (average). Average running cost
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (100 W) | $0.018 | $0.14 | $4.32 | $52.56 |
| Typical (200 W) | $0.036 | $0.29 | $8.64 | $105.12 |
| High (300 W) | $0.054 | $0.43 | $12.96 | $157.68 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 8 h/day ≈ 584 kWh per year.
In the US, with electricity at $0.18 per kWh (source: EIA Electric Power Monthly, 2026-06), a typical slow cooker costs $0.036 per hour and about $105.12 per year at 8 hours a day. Each $1.00 of electricity buys roughly 27.8 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running a slow cooker
- Use the low setting for long cooks. High draws more and finishes sooner but uses similar total energy.
- Keep the lid on. Every peek adds 15 to 20 minutes of cooking.
- Fill it at least half full for efficient heat transfer.
Frequently asked questions
Is a slow cooker cheaper than an oven?
For long braises, yes. It uses roughly 1 kWh over 8 hours versus 2 to 3 kWh for an oven over the same period.
How much does it cost to run a slow cooker for 8 hours?
About 1 to 1.5 kWh. Check the daily figure above.
Does a slow cooker use a lot of electricity on high?
High is typically 250 to 300 watts, still far below any oven or hob.
Cost by region
- United States (average)
- California
- Texas
- New York
- Florida
- Canada (average)
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- France
- Australia
- India