Slow cooker?

[GeordieVik]

Hi All,

I'm tempted to get a slow cooker, we are a family of three, but would like to cook enough to save at least another full meal in it.

What size should we get, and any recommendations of which one?

thanks

Vik

[srodders]

The wife keeps saying she wants a slow cooker (but wouldn't let me buy one for her birthday present can't think why not) I'll watch this thread with interest and then hopefully sound knowledgeable when we go shopping for one

[pigletwillie]

I have a small tefal one which is ideal as there are just the two of us. Itd oes what it is without fuss.

As it is such a simple item, any brand name one that is the required size should be ok. Some even have a detachable element apparently to allow the rest to be wahed up as normal.

[shirlthegirl43]

Hi. I would definately recommend getting a slow cooker!! They are brilliant for all sorts of stuff. Mine is a Morphy Richards and is quite large (can't remember the size sorry) but it holds a good sized chicken which is great coz you just chuck in the chook, put on the lid and switch it to medium and it will cook perfectly!! It is brilliant for casseroles and all sorts. Mine does enough to feed 4 and have enough to freeze for aother day. One of the other grapes has a slow cooker with a divider in the middle so you can cook two dishes at once which is a super idea - think it was by Russel Hobbs.

[supersprout]

The biggest you can find or afford IMO. You can cook a small amount in a big cooker, but not the other way around.
Think of getting a leg of lamb or a whole chicken into it
Some people I know with slow cookers use it for mulling wine!

[dexterdoglancashire]

I use my slow cooker for everything! I'd be lost without it. I've got a Rival Crock-Pot - the biggest one, I cook stews, casseroles, joints, chicken and my recipe book says I can do puds as well! Haven't tried those yet. Well recommended! DDl

[madderbat]

Some people I know with slow cookers use it for mulling wine!

Wow! never thought of that, but usually it doesn't take very long from warming to drinking. If you left it overnight you would get a very strong spice flavour (so need less I suppose) It would be great to come home to on a cold night.
We use ours for stews, casseroles and stuff that needs ages to cook. Only drawback is the weight of it as I have to lift it down from a height.
Go for it.

[Mrs Dobby]

We've the Rival crock pot one too DDL, great isnt it!

When we have a get together with friends its great to use it to keep things hot, a good pumpkin chilli in it and rice in the rice cooker and folks can help themselves whenever they want!

[Weavie]

I wouldn't be without my slow cooker. It's a large Tefal jobbie. You just have to remember to make sure it's hot before putting the uncooked food in esp. meats. I cheat if I'm rushing off to work by turning it on and then putting the pot onto the cooker to start the food off. While the meat is browning the element is heating so the pot can go back to slow cooker nice and hot and everything is ready when we get home. It's great for rice pudding too. Def get the biggest one. Veg takes longer than meat to cook and liquids should be hot before adding. Enjoy!

[shirlthegirl43]

I wouldn't be without my slow cooker. It's a large Tefal jobbie. You just have to remember to make sure it's hot before putting the uncooked food in esp. meats. I cheat if I'm rushing off to work by turning it on and then putting the pot onto the cooker to start the food off. While the meat is browning the element is heating so the pot can go back to slow cooker nice and hot and everything is ready when we get home. It's great for rice pudding too. Def get the biggest one. Veg takes longer than meat to cook and liquids should be hot before adding. Enjoy!

Check the instruction book for the model you buy - not all require the pot to be hot before adding meat and not all require hot liquid. Also, many pots are made of crockery and are not suitable for use on a hob. The only time I brown the meat before putting in the crockpot are when I am doing a sirloin roast when I quickly sear the joint all over before putting it in the cold crock.

[Weavie]

Yes shirl's right that not all cookers can go on the hob. Personally though I would worry about putting hot uncooked meat into a cold crock as it would reduce the temperature of the meat which could stay in the bacterial danger zone temperature for too long before the pot has heated up.

[bloomingbethan]

i have a russell hobbs best wedding prezzy ever i have done all kinds of things soups curry lobsgaws boiled ham lasagne spag bol is a fave in our house even did punch on halloween brill to come home to a nice hot meal

[madderbat]

I just chuck everything in cold and leave it for 18 hours, it seems to cook ok - at least we haven't been ill ... yet.

Mr MB sometimes part cooks things in the microwave and transfers it which is useful if eg veg take longer than other stuff.

Welcome to the vine bloominbethan, hope you enjoy it. See you around.

[shirlthegirl43]

In America you get a brilliant frozen meal in a bag - chuck the lot in the crockpot and switch on low for X hours - sometimes the spuds get added later. Totally brilliant for if you are in a hurry to get off somewhere for the day and coming home late to a ready meal - all for $5!!! Come on British companies - get a move on.

Yes, I know you should always cook from fresh ingredients but these were handy if in a hurry and had none of the salt and additives we get in our frozen 'ready to cook' stuff. Our friends over the pond are more fussy about their 'processed' foods than we are.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Slow Cooker Cookery Books

For anyone who has a slow cooker I would highly recommend the following cookery books:
Slow Cooker by Sara Lewis published by hamlyn ISBN 0600609790.
Best Ever Slow Cooker, One-Pot & Casserole Cookbook by Catherine Atkinson and Jenni Fleetwood published by Hermes House ISBN-10:1846810760 or ISBN-13: 9781846810763.
DO give them a go! DDL