Is this really a slow cooker ?

galba

We've been looking for a small slow cooker and settled on this one from Argos.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4228613/Trail/searchtext%3ESLOW+COOKER.htm

Today it was loaded with minced beef, carrots, onion, mushrooms etc. and switched onto the High setting. The instruction manual suggests a cooking time of 7-8 hours on this setting so I was a little surprised that after just four hours the conents seemed to be cooked.

Then I noticed the thing is rated at 90 watts ! I thought slow cookers were supposed to be low power appliances ? Putting the power meter on it the High setting showed 88 watts, the Low setting 47 watts and the Warm setting 39 watts.

Should we use the Low setting for slow cooking and ignore the instructions ? ....the whole idea is to leave it to get on with it while we're away from home for several hours.

helyg

I've got an older version of that one and I cook everything on low.

MrsBartolozzi

No, I think that's about right for a slow cooker - mine is around 100w (can't remember exactly off the top of my head). The James Martin one is 270w so yours is very slow in comparison.
I wouldn't worry - cook at medium next time maybe?

EDIT: just noticed yours is only 2L, mine is 3.5L so will obviously cook a smaller amount of food more quickly. I think you'll have to cook on medium or low next time.

laurel7172

I've certainly noticed that my newish slow cooker cooks far more quickly than the old one.

Once it has reached boiling point, I always turn it down to low. I suspect the "always cook on high" instructions are a back-covering exercise. Given that the liquid isn't going to boil at a higher temperature if you put more energy into it, and that it simmers quite nicely on low, the high setting seems like a waste of energy.

galba

I knew it would be complicated - the simple things usually are :rolleyes:

Next time I'll try an hour on High and if it's bubbling switch it to low for perhaps five hours. It's going to be trial and error and I don't want to take any risks, - especially with chicken.

But knocking up a casserole etc. in 4 hours @90 watts is much cheaper than doing it in the big oven.

Thanks for all the advice !

**purpleprincess**

If I am going to be cooking something in my slowcooker all day (whis is pretty much most of the time) I put it on low and it's fine. If I want something cooked within 4 hours (like when I bulk cook chickpeas) I put it on high. I've never had any problems doing it this way, still alive!!

Hope this helps and that you get as much love out of your slowcooker as I do mine!!