General Chat

I'm thinking about getting one and wondered how good/easy to use they were.
Any tips on which one to buy and what cook well in them etc?
I often throw casseroles in the oven if I'm going to be busy doing something else,ie garden or looking after grandkids.

I did have a small one when I first got married I expect they have come a long way since...1975 lol.

Marion
:-)

love mine though don't use it that often these days since being on my own - economical power wise as they use the power of a light bulb apparently

always start mine off in the microwave for about ten minutes first and then switch to the slow cooker

Thanks Ann.
I expect it will use less than an oven then.
Its more the chucking it in an leaving it that sounds good to me lol.

Marion, there was a long thread about this on here some time ago. I have looked but cannot find it, but maybe someone else can.

Julia in Derbyshire

I love my slow cooker too. I only cook vegetable stews in it so can't advise on meat dishes. I put everything in it raw, top up with veg stock and leave fpr about 4-5 hours. It's great to get it all going after lunch then I don't have to worry about preparing an evening meal later.
Another thing I really like about it is, the veg stays intact and doesn't go soggy :-D

These cookers are very good for cooking a joint in too ,beef ,with the potato's cabbage ,and other veg will come out nice and tender ,very tasty and full of goodness.
They make a darned good curry as well ,plus tons of other stuff,go online and get a cookbook download for slow cookers ,it will suprise you,wouldn't be without mine , Fred :-).P/S yep ,i sling in everything together and cook it sweet and slow slurp

Julie I did have a look for a thread but it came up with quite a few but nothing clearly about them.It will be there some place.thank you.

Island... i do a lot of soups too so i suppose it would be good for that too.

Fred..I dont eat curry but my Oh would benefit from it then.
Do you bung in all the veg together?

I've got a steamer,i love that ,especially if the family are here,saves cooker space and you just switch it on.,no turning it down when it boils.



Marion

Marion, I have nudged up the one I was refering to.
Good luck
Julia in Derbyshire

Hi Marion, I see Julia found the other thread. I wouldn't be without mine, it is on as we speak. I usually put mine on low about 09.30/10.00 in the morning. Yesterday I had pork chops in there, usually grill them but OH had a tooth problem and I needed the meat to be really tender. Today I have mince in there for a bolognese sauce or maybe a chili, haven't decided yet. It will be ready to eat about 6.30/7pm when we want it. Saturday i shall do chicken thighs. I actually don't put veg in except mushrooms, unless I part cook first as I don't like undercooked veg.

As to size, mine comfortably holds two large pork chops, about 8 chicken thighs, a pound of stewing steak. It depends how many you want to feed.

Thank's Julie. I'll have a good look through it after tea.

Ann and Sue thank you. It's sounding good to me :-D

Not sure about size Ann I'd need one for at least four helpings.

Marion

One thing Marion you will get different suggestions re temperatures and times because they do vary, you will usually get a book when you nuy one so go by that (ish). Mine I usually leave on low for most of the time, sometimes turning it up to medium. Some don't have a medium. I cook all mine from cold, some people heat theirs first as their cookers tell them to, mine doesn't.

tescos had some i think it was 5 litre for around 20 quid, was on offer so may all be gone........i have a smaller version can get a 2 1/2 kilo piece of meat in it,

around about 60-100 watts they use......
usually set mine up,overnight, on a timer so it starts up around 5:30 am..

Bob

That is because you eat at lunch time I think Bob isn't it?

I love my slow cooker, I cook stews etc in it but I also have cooked chicken roasts etc ..I have been known to cook bread pudding in it ! :-D

mind that was the down fall of my previous one as it burnt on :-|

As for which to buy ..get one with auto on it ..make sure it is large enough to suit your needs ..or small enough.
I do use mine to make bulk items that I then freeze down for when OH is working
Shepherds Pie , Fish Pie, stews, liver and bacon. etc I also cook whole chickens for the mutts in it and use the stock. Fish as before
I have roasted in foil ..and made soups
there really is no limit to use.

they make a lovely rice pudding,,,,,,,,

stews are good ,did one yesterday and Oh had rest today,,I have 6ltr and holds enough for 4 good helpings but if a small eater 4/6.........

dont thicken till its ready though.....in summer you can freeze and stock pile all sorts for winter,,,,,,,,cooked gammon is lovely,,,,,,

Thanks everyone for your help.
I'm working my way through the other thread.


Marion

Not got one yet,still deciding which one to get.

USE MINE A LOT
PROBERLY DON'T USE IT AS INSTRUCTIONS

I CHOP MEAT UP ONIONS,CARROTS,SWEDE COVERT WELL IN STOCK OR GRAVY,
COOK ON FULL FOR HOUR PUT IN POTOTO'S THEN HALF HEAT OR SLOW VFOR AT LEAST 2 HOURS,
I COOK MINE TILL MEAT SO SOFT YOU CAN CUT IT WITH A FORK,

Tom Parker- Bowles had an article about slow cookers in the Live magazine that came with the Mail on Sunday yesterday.