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Despite popular belief, the real backyard barbecue hero isn't your grill — it's your slow cooker. Sure, this little pot may be useful for warming you up with comforting soups and food during the winter, but it's actually at the top of its game when the months heat up.
It's convenient, it saves time and it's arguably the easiest way to work in a nourishing family meal when schedules are tight.
But that's just skimming the surface. Once you discover all the benefits that come from using your slow cooker from spring through summer, you might never settle for anything else. Here are just six reasons why you'll want to keep this appliance handy all year long.
Save a little extra dough
When you're packing your summer schedule in with as many activities as possible, every dollar counts. Using your slow cooker instead of the oven could save a few bucks. David Watsky from CNET found that it costs about 51 cents per hour to operate an oven while a slow cooker is only about 5 cents per hour.
Depending on how often you cook and what you're cooking, you could be pocketing a handful of cash each week with the slow cooker. That'll help pay for more trips to the movies or water parks!
Keep the house cooler
In case saving money isn't enticing enough, you'll definitely appreciate this slow cooker perk: It'll keep your home cooler during that sweltering summer heat. Writing for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Nelly Nelson notes that "a slow cooker uses less power than an oven and it doesn't heat up your entire kitchen when in use."
As a bonus, that means your air conditioner won't have to work as hard, which translates to even more savings.
Less time in the kitchen and more time playing
When warmer weather arrives, it seems like everyone gets busier. With spring sports, graduations, and just catching up on outdoor chores, time is a scarce commodity. For many families, there simply isn't time to work on elaborate meals.
If you'd rather be outside playing with your kids and creating memories while they still think you're cool, a crock pot is a game changer. Just throw in all the ingredients then set it and forget it. The food is ready whenever you are!
Wash fewer dishes
Cooking one meal in one pot means you're seriously cutting down on dishwashing time. And if you're using pre-made meals straight from the freezer, that means even less scrubbing and rinsing.
It's a potluck no-brainer
Summers are all about those backyard barbecues, and that means you'll need something sturdy and insulated to transport your food. This is a role your slow cooker was born to play.
Satisfy all your summer cravings
Speaking of barbecues, slow cooker recipes include virtually every traditional summertime favorite. Pulled pork sandwiches, sloppy Joes, baked beans, macaroni and cheese — whatever you're craving, you can make it in a slow cooker.
Let Beehive Meals take care of your warm-weather meal prep
As you can see, using a slow cooker for your warm-weather meal prep will undoubtedly save you time, money and a lot of hassle. When you order pre-assembled, freezer-friendly dishes from Beehive Meals, you take those benefits to the next level.
The menu rotates monthly, so you can enjoy seasonal favorites all year long. Forget the stress of meal planning and making extra stops at the grocery store. With Beehive Meals, you get wholesome freezer meals delivered straight to your door. Simply toss them into your slow cooker and enjoy a warm, home-cooked meal with your family even during those busy summer months.
To learn more about how Beehive Meals makes meal prep easy and affordable, visit beehivemeals.com.
