Are slow cookers worth it?

mrbadexample

Get one now. Make stew. :j

If I can do it, anyone can. You'd probably be able to make lots more things too.

HappyShopper3

After reading on here about the positive aspects of slow cooking, and being a completely useless cook (actually I hate cooking!) I just got a hinari slow cooker. I'm fed up of living on sandwiches and microwave meals!

I have a couple of questions, first I don't understand why the manual that came with the slow cooker doesn't have any recipes? Also it says to use an insulated pad under the cooker. Is this necessary and if so where do I get one from? I've read on here that some people who cook chicken in their slow cookers complain of a terrible smell, so can you cook chicken in them safely? I wanted to use chicken pieces or even a whole small chicken. Can you use frozen veg in the slow cooker?

LOL here I go again, I did say a couple of questions and I've not stopped! I'm sure I will have more as I am a novice to slow cooking.

Thanks for your help.

squeaky

HappyShopper3 wrote:

After reading on here about the positive aspects of slow cooking, and being a completely useless cook (actually I hate cooking!) I just got a hinari slow cooker. I'm fed up of living on sandwiches and microwave meals!

I have a couple of questions, first I don't understand why the manual that came with the slow cooker doesn't have any recipes? Also it says to use an insulated pad under the cooker. Is this necessary and if so where do I get one from? I've read on here that some people who cook chicken in their slow cookers complain of a terrible smell, so can you cook chicken in them safely? I wanted to use chicken pieces or even a whole small chicken. Can you use frozen veg in the slow cooker?

LOL here I go again, I did say a couple of questions and I've not stopped! I'm sure I will have more as I am a novice to slow cooking.

Thanks for your help.

Most of your questions are answered here. Somewhere. Honest


The Complete Slow Cooker Collection

Queenie

TNG wrote:

This sounds like the ideal answer to feeding DS1 when he's back from school before I get back from work.....

That's very nearly clinched it.

and it will still be lovely for when you get home from work too And you can do puddings in it on the days you don't want to cook the main meal in it

HappyShopper3 - take a peek at the link Squeaky posted it really does answer most of the questions that have been discussed over time in Old Style and includes some scrumptious tried and tested recipes

Queenie

Sorry squeaky X posted.

HappyShopper3

Sorry to be a pain but there are an awful lot of threads to trawl through!

Queenie

HappyShopper3 wrote:

.....

~ I have a couple of questions, first I don't understand why the manual that came with the slow cooker doesn't have any recipes?
~ Also it says to use an insulated pad under the cooker. Is this necessary and if so where do I get one from?
~ I've read on here that some people who cook chicken in their slow cookers complain of a terrible smell, so can you cook chicken in them safely?
~ I wanted to use chicken pieces or even a whole small chicken. Can you use frozen veg in the slow cooker? .

~ No idea why you didn't get any recipes with the SC, but there are plenty of recipes in the thread linked to and also, our local library has slow cooker recipe books available, which might be worth checking at your own?

~ I don't use an insulated pad under my SC, never have. Just so long as it is on a heat resistant level surface it should be ok.

~ never had a problem personally with a smelly chicken but yes, it is a very safe way to cook a chicken both whole chickens and chicken pieces.

~ I have used frozen veggies in the SC but not especially successfully. I keep an emergency bag of frozen 'casserole' veg in the freezer and I tend to cook that a bit first before adding it to the SC or they come out a bit hard.


HTH

Lillibet_2

HappyShopper3 wrote:

1)first I don't understand why the manual that came with the slow cooker doesn't have any recipes?

2)Also it says to use an insulated pad under the cooker. Is this necessary and if so where do I get one from?

3)I've read on here that some people who cook chicken in their slow cookers complain of a terrible smell, so can you cook chicken in them safely? I wanted to use chicken pieces or even a whole small chicken.

4)Can you use frozen veg in the slow cooker?

/quote]

1) No idea, use the thread on here for recipies, they're far superior to any cookbook anyway:D

2) I put a folded teatowel under mine but that's just because I'm worried about it moving & scratching my kitchen counter when I take the crock pot out. If you are really worried you could stand it on a chopping board, but I think this is just a precautionary warning.

3) I've never had a smell from cooking chicken in it apart from a yummy "eat me NOW" kind of smell. Chicken chasseur is a particually good SC chicken meal.

4) yes, but don't expect them to hold their shape or flavour. Best added later rather than sooner for best outcome, can be added frozen about 1 hour before you want to eat & they are reasonable. Can be added at the beginning if you are going ot eat the moment you walk through the door but fresh would be better if you need this.

My SC tip is to prepare everything in the crockpot the night before with stock/liquid in a jug & store all in the fridge, then in the morning just take crockpot from fridge & stick crockpot onto the stand, add liquid & switch on.


HTH;)

benbenandme

Carriel - don't gp to Argos just yet .... I got mine today from Empire catalogue and it cost me .... 26p !!!!!! :j :j

Have a look on the discount codes thread and there is a code on there somewhere to get £20 off your first order with Empire. There is no minimum spend, so I got a slow cooker and a Dorma double bed sheet and after the £20 discount it cost me 48p in total !!! & its free p+p !!!!! What a kind generous company Empire are !!!!

Anyhow, I ordered mine on Monday this week and it arrived today!!

HappyShopper3

Thanks for the replies ladies. That's been a great help!

I also got mine from Empire with the £20 code, it arrived today but I daren't ring them and say I have no recipe booklet with it.