The use of slow cookers (AKA Crock pots) to prepare recipes in the home is expected to grow by 16% and grilling will grow by 11% over the next 10 years according to a market research report released by The NPD Group last Monday.

Other cooking trends noted in the report is that stove tops and microwaves will be the most common appliances use when home cooks prepare recipes.

"Just as it has done over the last three decades, the need for convenience in meal preparation will continue to grow over the next decade," according to NPD.

The use of slow cookers has increased 36% and grilling has increased 42% over the last 10 years according to the News Source.

Other findings include:

• Households using a slow cooker at least once in a two-week period rose 67% from the 1980s to 2010.
• Over one-third of American households use a grill to make a meal at least once in a two-week period.
• The percent of meals cooked by a microwave has doubled since the 1980s.
• 59% of consumers’ main dishes at dinner were made from scratch in 2010, vs. 72% in 1980.
• The average number of food items per meal has decreased to 3.5 in 2010, down from 4.4 in the 1980s.