slow cookers.

madlyn

i'm thinking of getting a slow cooker, but before i do i have a few questions.
1) are they safe? i dont want to come home to find a fire engine outside my house.
2) are they economical? is it cheaper to put a SC on all day or cook a stew/ casserole for a couple of hours when i get i home?
3) does the food taste any different? i love a bowl of beef stew on a cold winters night, so will it taste just like my mums does who cooks hers on the hob?

many thanks in advance

SunnyGirl

Hi Madlyn.

Slow cookers are very safe and economical as they use about the equivalent of a light bulb when cooking. This also has the benefit of making the food meltingly tender. I put mine on in the morning and leave it on low for 8 - 12 hours and its always lovely. Have a look at this slow cooker recipe thread as well HTH

The_Golden_Goose

BUY BUY BUY one....

I am a true convert.

freakyogre

I think SunnyGirl has answered your questions, but if you're still considering it...go and buy one!

I bought one when I moved out of home as I didn't have a cooker where I was and it got a lot of use. I used to work until quite late and got into the habit of coming home and just not bothering with dinner, so this was ideal for me as I could prepare everything the night before, chuck it in in the morning and come home with dinner ready.

I have since moved again (to somewhere with a cooker...what a novelty!) so it doesn't get used at much, but it is one of the best things i've bought.

LilacPixie

Buy one. seriously I use mine loads to make stews, curry and even cook a whole chicken. You can get away with buying cheaper tougher cuts of meat as the slow cooking makes them so so tender.

MMMMM beef stew wit tomatos, onion leek and potatoe and haricote beans served with home made bread from my bread maker.

ALIBOBSY

Our fav here is a ham joint cooked over mixed veggies sliced up. lovely hot slices of yummy ham for tea, some for lunches for a couple of days and best of all the stock it makes is lovely for a pea and ham soup-or lentil and ham mmmmmmmmm.

I love my slow cooker, I even sometime put frozen meals I made previously, like spag bol into it. On high to get it defrosting and on low for rest of day. But I am at home so can keep stirring it to ensure defrosts well and evenly. Love mine defo worth it. I got mine free as found an aunt who had one she had hardly used. Try asking around, it might be something people may have bought and never used properly.

ali x

slowandsteady_2

They are great, can even make puddings and cakes in them but i not tried that yet, personally im not keen on cooking whole chickens in there, did it once but didnt taste 'right' however i buy from Morrisons a turkey leg and it is a big thigh and drumstick, huge for about £3 and lasts us about 3 evening meals as a dinner, sweet and sour, etc and put this on low for about 5 hours and it is gorgous when it comes out. Also love beef brisket, pork joints etc.

I got a huge capacity one from a catalogue discount store a couple of years ago it very big and it was £12, best £12 i ever spent!

ANY_CHANCE

Youve sold it to me ...where do i get one? good quality but low cost?

Olliebeak

I got my first one from a local computer fair - guy selling electrical gadgets. It was a 3.5litre Anthony Worrall-Thompson one. Very happy with it but decided to go for a bigger one so that we could freeze left-overs.

Now have a 6litre Morphy Richards that I adore - and the first one is now residing with my no.2 son. Can always borrow it back again if necessary .

Go for the biggest one that you can afford. Work out which one you think you'll need and then go up a size .

Argos sometimes have bargains on them - especially in summer months - good time to buy one! Also try Tescos, Asda etc.

ANY_CHANCE

Thanks Olliebeak, i have just been having a look at amazon and was thinking a 6L wouldnt be too big for 4/5
I was looking at the MR type but there are a few options some with high/low settings some with timers.....???

ANY_CHANCE

details of one £30.99 (MR)

• Oval Shape
• Brushed finish
• Capacity 6.5 l
• Digital control Panel
• Cooking and keep warm function
• Toughened glass lid to monitor cooking without letting heat escape
• Removable ceramic pot
• Dishwasher proof ceramic pot
• Cooltouch handles
• 350 watt
• Non slip feet

there is also one for 26.26

• Oval shape
• Capacity 6.5 litres
• With 3 settings, low, medium and high
• Toughened glass lid to monitor cooking without letting heat escape
• Cooking vessel can be put directly onto the table
• Dishwasher proof cooking vessel
• Non-slip feet
• Cooltouch handles
• 350 Watt

????