Cooking dry chickpeas, also called garbanzo beans, at home can save you money, reduce sodium and improve the flavor in your favorite garbanzo bean dishes. Your slow cooker offers a convenient and low maintenance way to cook garbanzos, whether you're at home or at work. You can use the cooked chickpeas in a variety of recipes, including soups, stews, salads and dips.

Rinse the garbanzos in a colander. Check for and remove any discolored, broken and shriveled beans.

Place the beans into the crock on the slow cooker. Cover with cold water. Cover the Crock Pot and refrigerate for at least six hours.

Drain and rinse the garbanzo beans. Add fresh water to cover the garbanzo beans, along with 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda.

Cook on high heat for four hours or low for eight to nine hours. Drain and use in recipes as desired.