Add your sliced apples, half the sugar, cinnamon, and cloves to your slow cooker. Fill with water.
Set to high and cook for 3 - 4 hours, covered.
Mash the apples and cover. Cook on high for another hour.
Place a fine mesh strainer over a large container, and cover the strainer with cheese cloth. Add the apple mixture to the cloth and strain out in batches.
Set aside the pulp for another use or discard. Discard the cinnamon and cloves.
Taste the cider and add more sugar, if desired. Stir in the vanilla. Serve hot or cold.
Notes
*peel and core your apples if you plan on using the pulp**you can substitute the sweetener and add as much or as little as you like.