How do I work out what my own slow cooker costs?

Multiply the kWh it uses each time by your unit rate. At the Great Britain average of 26.32p a kWh, every kWh costs 26p.

Does it cost more in some parts of the country?

Slightly. The electricity unit rate under the cap runs from 25.36p a kWh in East Midlands to 27.86p in Merseyside and North Wales, so the same use costs about 10% more in the dearest region. Pick yours in the calculator.

Running costs

How much does it cost to run a slow cooker?

About 47p an 8-hour cook, at the price cap for 1 October 2026 to 31 December 2026. Used one 8-hour cook a week, that’s about £25 a year.

A 150 W to 300 W slow cooker running for 8 hours, from NEA’s power ratings.

Verified: 23 October 2026 from Ofgem price cap rates

Work out yours

Your electricity price

Energy for one 8-hour cook

kWh

Times a week

A 8-hour cook

47p

A week

47p

A month

£2.06

A year

£25

94 kWh a year. Unit rate only: the standing charge is paid whether or not anything is switched on.

A slow cooker uses little power, but for a long time, so a full day’s cooking adds up to about the same as an hour or two in a full-size oven. It earns its keep by cooking a whole meal, often several portions, in one go.

Ways to spend less

Fill it: it costs the same to cook a full pot as a half-full one.
Keep the lid on.

Compared with

Appliance	Typical cost	A year, used as shown
Slow cooker	47p an 8-hour cook	£25 (one 8-hour cook a week)
Electric oven	39p an hour	£81 (1 hour, 4 times a week)
Air fryer	23p an hour	£20 (20 minutes, 5 times a week)

At the Great Britain average electricity rate of 26.32p a kWh.

Common questions

How much does it cost to run a slow cooker?: About 47p an 8-hour cook, at the price cap for 1 October 2026 to 31 December 2026. Used one 8-hour cook a week, that’s about £25 a year. A 150 W to 300 W slow cooker running for 8 hours, from NEA’s power ratings.
How do I work out what my own slow cooker costs?: Multiply the kWh it uses each time by your unit rate. At the Great Britain average of 26.32p a kWh, every kWh costs 26p.
Does it cost more in some parts of the country?: Slightly. The electricity unit rate under the cap runs from 25.36p a kWh in East Midlands to 27.86p in Merseyside and North Wales, so the same use costs about 10% more in the dearest region. Pick yours in the calculator.

Other appliances

Add up several appliances in the electricity cost calculator, or see what your own home uses with the smart meter analyser.