How does a slow cooker save money?

Them_2

almar wrote: »

I..... because slow cookers keep turning themselves on and off .....

Exactly.

When ovens and slow cookers reach the correct cooking temperature they do not constantly draw power and pulse the heating element on/off. (Rather like the way an iron works)

The wattage figures on appliances are not always that accurate either, as they often refer to how much current the transformer can handle or the absolute maximum current draw, rather than what the appliance typically uses.

For the sake of the thread, I would say that an oven would win due to being properly insulated - but any wasted cooking heat saves money on central heating costs anyway.

pandaonmyshoulder

wannabe_sybil wrote: »

Umm I think it goes like this...

If I make a casserole in the oven, I have the oven on for an hour and a half to two hours. So because I am rubbish at maths it is 2 x 2000kw or 4000kw, assuming that the oven uses 2000kw per hour as above. (figure of 2000kw comes from wildbri). Now today I made a casserole from lean casserole meat which would need a long time in the oven. The slow cooker was on 7 hours (on timer) and the result was melt in the mouth and enough for tea tomorrow. So that is 7 x 330 kw or 2310kw (330 kw comes from Swan, but I do think some are less). So if I had made it in the oven it would have used at least 3000kw but in the slow cooker I would use 2310 kw so it uses less power.

Those of a scientific bent will question if the temperature of the oven affects the electricity consumption, and I have absolutely no idea. I am afraid my google expertise is inadequate to find anything, though I did find a slow cooker listed at 130 kw which is significantly less, I am confident, than an oven. My oven is gas.

Additionally it can make a cheap cut of meat taste absolutely fantastic, you get a really good result with much better flavour. Then the convenience works even for a SAHM like me because I could prepare it during little bear's nap this morning but he was too busy being hurricane little bear this afternoon when I would have prepared the casserole.

Quasar - I also have a Tefal rice/steamer/slow cooker/porridge thingy. The rice tastes amazing and is really easy but you get such a vast quantity that I usually dish up enough for me, dear heart and little bear and have enough for lunch the next day.

Hope this is of use

Edited to add that I think I have got my watts and kilowatts muddled. How mortifying!

I too have a Tefal steamer/slow cooker/rice cooker and it is excellent I use it several times per week. I cook whole chickens in it, rice pudding, prawn rice, stews or just plain rice or pasta it's brilliant. I even took it camping with us over the summer to France. People on neighbouring camping pitches commented on the pot with the blue light giving out wonderful aromas!!!!:rotfl:

Bongedone

Mine is a Rival 3.5l Crock Pot and it has a maximum rating of 225w. I imagine the 225w will only be used as it is warming up. Once it reaches temperature it will tail off. I cook everything on low so that would mean even less.

I will borrow a meter from work next week when I am making something and report back how much it used over the full cooking process. I will also take note of how much it drains when warming up and if it fluctuates over the cooking process etc.

Gangstabird

moanymoany wrote: »

I use mine to cook beans/chick peas. Soak, boil for 10 minutes and put in the cooker. Usually they take twice as long as the instructions. However, it doesn't matter if you simply leave it as it won't boil dry.

I did the best chick peas in mine. Yesterday I did black turtle beans. I use the cooking liquid as a base for soup. I simply add veg. Today I will add carrots and celery - both a bit bendy - put it on at lunch time and have soup for dinner.

I got my SC at a boot sale - never used and still in the box - for £5!

It makes lovely veg casseroles.

I am interested in having more pulses. What do you do with them. I usually do black eyed peas by soaking overnight and boiling for ever to have with rice. But it's a lot of faff for a small amount of rice & peas as only myself and DH eat them.

So do you cook the beans then freeze them or what.

I have just tried trawling through the slo cooker recipe thread and for every 30 posts you might get a recipe so have given up;)


TIA:beer:

Quasar

Ohhh this thread now has made me want to make one of my killer stews. Tomorrow I'll be in Kew Gardens where there is an organic butcher and I shall get a stewing cut. Usually about a pound in weight and £4 in price but that's ok for me because I can make a large stew and have it for four meals easily.

Been cold today and expect it will be tomorrow, so a stew is just what the doctor ordered... :drool:

kc3110

Originally Posted by moanymoany
I use mine to cook beans/chick peas. Soak, boil for 10 minutes and put in the cooker. Usually they take twice as long as the instructions. However, it doesn't matter if you simply leave it as it won't boil dry.

I did the best chick peas in mine. Yesterday I did black turtle beans. I use the cooking liquid as a base for soup. I simply add veg. Today I will add carrots and celery - both a bit bendy - put it on at lunch time and have soup for dinner.

I got my SC at a boot sale - never used and still in the box - for £5!

It makes lovely veg casseroles.

Hi, have been thinking of buying sc for some time now could you tell me what you put in your veg casserole, Thanking you

Tootser

Swan wrote: »

I think THIS is the link, but I may be wrong

one word of advice, don't listen to what they say about how good doing a whole chicken is, it's absolutely vile! you get squishy boiled chicken & it makes your house smell awful!

Totally agree with you, whole chicken in the slow cooker is yuck!! However chicken / turkey leg portions and any other dark meats are delicious especially shoulder of lamb/ beef (I pour boiling water from kettle over to help seal meat if no time for browning). Have tried on several occasions and now only have proper roast chicken.

Shoulder of lamb is the best!!!!!

rustyjemma

Them wrote: »

Exactly.

When ovens and slow cookers reach the correct cooking temperature they do not constantly draw power and pulse the heating element on/off. (Rather like the way an iron works)

The wattage figures on appliances are not always that accurate either, as they often refer to how much current the transformer can handle or the absolute maximum current draw, rather than what the appliance typically uses.

For the sake of the thread, I would say that an oven would win due to being properly insulated - but any wasted cooking heat saves money on central heating costs anyway.

just checked my oven & if there is insulation its less than an inch!

Claire_DC

They have slow cookers in Tescos, half price at 9.95 (Tesco branded)... got my mum one as she is a pensioner and is on a fixed tarrif for gas and electricity so can use what she likes.

Was tempted to get one for us, but wasn't sure if it would be economical since it's on a lot longer.

[Deleted User]

I have a slow cooker and a pressure cooker and a meter. The slow cooker costs about twice as much as the pressure cooker when I cook a stew. I can do a lovely beef stew in the pressure cooker in 20 minutes, having browned and prepared everything in the same pan. The taste is much nicer than from the sc and using the tefal pc I can also get the veg cooked in the steamer on the top of the stew at the same time. No contest as far as I am concerned, my sc is now a dust gatherer