I would like a slowcooker but...

ti1980

...I don't have a family to cook for. I live with 3 flatmates and they each have very different diets so sharing the cooking or food shopping is not an option.

I am very tempted to get a slow cooker as have heard so many wonderful things about them from Old Style but one of the main problems is there isn't the room to have one in our kitchen. I would have to pack it away each time I used it. Is it practical to do so?

Not worried about the initial cost as about 6 months ago I was probably spending that amount on food for the week just for myself! So many takeaways, but not anymore.

Are there any particular makes that you could recommend?

My bf's brother works at Robert Dyas so I could probably get one from there at a discount. Anyone got one from there that is any good?

TIA for any replies.

ivyleaf

Mine's a 3.5 litre "Rival Crock Pot" and it measures 36cm wide x 24 cm deep x about27 cm high. It's not too heavy to put away in a cupboard and take out. The only thing is, I'm new to slow cookers but I understand they're not good for cooking very small amounts, i.e. one meal for one person might not be enough and the food may burn. Something to consider unless you're able to cook a larger amount and freeze some. I'm sure some experienced "slow cookers" will be along to advise soon! I seem to remember someone on here has found a particularly small one which may be just right for you. I can't remember what brand it was but hopefully they'll read this!

HTH

ivyleaf xx

mah_jong

Mine is an old tower, so not huge by any means...but even then I sometimes put a casserole dish in, surrounding it with water and then what is cooking is not going to get burnt! I use mine mainly for cooking in batches, do you have the option of freezing portions?

mah

Rikki

My slow cooker is only 2.5 litre and is just the right size to do a large stew in for 2-3 people.

wigginsmum

Lakeland do a 2-portion crockpot which is relatively small. My friend has one and says it's excellent.

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/product.aspx/!10722

Jules

ti1980

Thanks for the replies, as ever they are very helpful.
Space is a main problem, there is not even the cupboard space. At the moment, my new smoothie maker has been packed back into its box and is currently residing in our lounge. No room to leave it in the kitchen at all so will have to be packed back in the box after each use. Doubt I will use it much.
Not much freezer space either, what there is has already got a few of my frozen meals for work in it, and I was going to make another lot of bacon pasta/bulgar wheat for the coming week.
Hmm, will have another think.

Jay-Jay_4

wigginsmum wrote:

Lakeland do a 2-portion crockpot which is relatively small. My friend has one and says it's excellent.

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/product.aspx/!10722

Jules

Thanks for that


Clicky link here

nabowla

I bought the small Lakeland SC before Christmas although I didn't get round to using it until today. It's been sitting on top of the fridge/freezer quite happily - have you got space on top of a cupboard or fridge/freezer where you could keep it instead of putting it in a cupboard?

ti1980

On top of our fridge freezer is where the microwave is and on top of there is where alcohol is kept. We have another small freezer but on top of that is where 2L bottles of oil is kept and large bags of pasta.
Space is really a premium in our kitchen as we are not a functioning family household.

astep70uk

There is a new type of slow cooker which is also a rice cooker, and is programmable, so you can put rice in it first thing in the morning, and it's ready when you come in. I think it also has a 'keep hot' function to keep you meals/rice warm until needed. I will try and remember where I saw it . . .

SallyinWales

Would it be too wierd to keep it in your room? Especially if you don't share meals with the others? Used to do that a lot as a syudent, and of course the good thing about a slowpot is that it works anywhere there is a plugsocket handy. If you plan to cook something that you can eat one evening and have for lunch the next day, then quantities shouldnt be a big problem, especially with 'all in one' meals where you might otherwise be cooking seperate accompianaments