slow cooker quick questions thread

acl2009

So I've decided to pull my slow cooker out the cupboard, dust it off and actually use it to make a beef casserole for tonight's dinner. My husband can get home from work any time from 6pm to 9pm so its not always easy to time when dinner should be ready.

What time would you suggest getting everything in and cooking? I don't want to over cook and have the veg turn to mush!

Many thanks.

Absinthe_2

It needs to go on low setting about now, and if using high setting about midday. For auto, approx 11am. It depends on each slow cooker, as they vary.

If cooked, turn off at 6pm, as will stay warm for hours, and is easy to hot up in the microwave if necessary.

rosie383

Just don't put spuds or other veg which may turn to mush, until a couple of hours before you want to serve it.

sonastin

I did a chicken casserole on Monday. Put it on high about 8am. OH turned it down to low at "lunchtime" (no idea when he stops for lunch - could be any time between about 11 and 6!). Veg wasn't particularly mushy when we came to eat it at 8pm.

That's the beauty of slow cookers - timing isn't critical and it's quite hard to mess things up. Not impossible (believe me, I've succeeded) but quite hard!


(note - my SC doesn't properly "cook" veg unless its on high. They liquid doesn't boil on low so they come out with a really weird solid/spongy texture. Hence starting on high and getting OH to turn it down later).

rosie383

Mine is the same. I have to cook on high to get the veg cooked. I could have it on auto or low for 8 hours and still end up with uncooked spuds, but 2 hours on high, and they are perfect.

Absinthe_2

Mine would take at least 4 hours on high for spuds, although I suppose it depends on your slow cooker, and what variety of potato you are using.

acl2009

Thank you all very much. It's been in for a few hours now but only on low, I might whack it up to high for the next couple hours just to make sure the veg cooks properly as when I had a very quick peek the liquid wasn't bubbling at all.

Kernel_Sanders

Does anybody know if the Argos value range 1.5litre SC has 2 heat settings?
It's not clear here http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9367847/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CKitchen+and+laundry%7C14418476/Trail/searchtext%3EGREAT+SAVINGS+ON+KITCHEN+ELECTRICALS.htm#pdpFullProductInformation

trolleyrun

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

Does anybody know if the Argos value range 1.5litre SC has 2 heat settings?
It's not clear here http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9367847/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CKitchen+and+laundry%7C14418476/Trail/searchtext%3EGREAT+SAVINGS+ON+KITCHEN+ELECTRICALS.htm#pdpFullProductInformation

It says "1 cooking function" in the discription, so I reckon it only has on/off button.

[Deleted User]

I have the breville 3.5 litre Slow cooker and it has low hi and warm.
I put my SC on last thing at night and in the morning its all done .I cook a chicken this way and the meat just falls off the bones and the stock once strained is fantastic for soups.
What ever you cook on low I always think its around 7-8 hours for any meat Its also great for making a big rice pud