How to use a slow cooker (merged threads)

Chipps

I have 2 slow cookers - a really old one & a new huge Morphy Richards.
I used to have an even older Tower one that had the 3 settings: low, high & auto. Auto means it is on high for 20 mins then goes down automatically to low for the rest of cooking time. When using it, I started it on high, because it was supposed to warm up for 20 mins before adding anything (that doesn't seem to apply to the new MR one) Then I switched it to auto once everything is in. Does that make sense?
The main thing I didn't like about that one was that the crock pot could not be removed for washing, so you had to put washing up water in the whole thing & then tip it out carefully. I had got it 2nd hand for £5 so can't complain, but when my MIL offered me another one - with a removeable crock pot - I was really pleased, then last year DH bought me the nice new one, but I didn't throw away the other one, as they are so useful!!

ravenlooney

Thanks for the explanation of what the 'auto' does Chipps! Mine doesnt look that old and you can remove the crock pot to wash it so it sounds like its a newer version of yor old tower i must have! I'll just assume that 'auto' works the same on both of ours!

Newbird

Ravenlooney - Auto on the newer slow cookers, is a 'keep warm' function. When your cooking time on low or high is over, you switch to 'auto' and it keeps the food warm, presumably by just cycling on and off every so often. Not supposed to be used for cooking.
I'm not sure if this is so for newish Tower models, (in common with the older ones) but then not sure if i've seen any newer Tower models.

squeaky

Auto on my new one is high until the cooking temperature is reached and then it switches to the low cooking temperature.

There seems to be quite a difference between makes and models as to what "auto" is.

ravenlooney

ok ... until I find out for sure wat the auto setting does, i just wont use it ... just use high or low!! thanks all for your replies!