SlowCooker Size?

1jim

Hi
We have a slow cooker (an old cookworks one) which has been going strong for many years---must be at least 15years old now but overtime our family has grown. The current model is 1.5L and cooks enough for 2 adults main meal with some left over for lunch next day or some for the 2 little ones. I think its probably time we moved up in size but should I go for the 3.5L or right on up to the 6.5L?
We menu plan so could freeze leftovers but would probably make enough for 2 adults and 2 children (age 4and6) main meal, would probably pack up some leftovers for lunch next day for adults to take to work. Any thoughts on the best size, if I "go large" will I regret it and feel that I have to make mountains to make sure it cooks properly?

*zippy*

I couldn't make my mind up between sizes for ages too, but I eventually went for the 6.5 and have had no regrets as I can get a whole chicken in there or beef joint and I often make big batches of soup to freeze.

1jim

thanks zippy, the chicken thing is starting to swing in favour of the bigger one, what size chicken will it take? I currently cook brisket/thickrib in the slowcooker we have (£9 joint but ?weight) so dont think I need a bigger one for joints but the chicken is very tempting, have been looking at Amazon and theres not a massive difference in price for the slowcookers, decisions decisions...

*zippy*

I buy about 1.5kg chickens, I have to say roast chicken is a lot nicer, but OH likes to throw them in the slow cooker.

LJM

we are a family of 2 adults and 2 kids i have a 3.5l oval and a 1.5 i use both as i batch cook for freezer etc when i went to my bigger one i couldnt bear to get rid of my 1.5 so ended up with 2 lol

TryingHardToSave_2

We are a family of 5 and we have the 6.5l one. Like a previous poster said can easily fit chicken, leg of lamb, pork and beef joints in, But i can also just cook a curry for the 2 of us. I like the fact that i have the option to cook bigger things in it if i want to. Id be lost with my slow cooker now x

1jim

is the 6.5l ok for cooking smaller amounts then, I thought I read reports somewhere that you had to fill them up?

TryingHardToSave_2

1jim wrote: »

is the 6.5l ok for cooking smaller amounts then, I thought I read reports somewhere that you had to fill them up?

Ive had my slow cooker for 3 years now and touchwood it still works and like i said sometimes i do joints and big bulk curries, chillis, stews but then other times ive done enough food in there for just me and hubby so maybe only half way full instead. Id never heard of only having to fill them up, hope im not "breaking" it? will go off and google this now x

Finefoot

I have the biggest one, and it cooks lentils for two, or brisket for 6 quite well. Very useful for doing the ham for christmas as well!

jcr16

i think i've got every size going,lol.

we started out when a family of just 4 and i bought a 3.5 one from argos. it was a round one. fantastic in size for us loads left for when i batched cooked. however useless shape for cooking a chicken in or large piece of beef, so i purchased an oval 4.5 one. This is brill.

i can easily get a 2.4 size chicken in it. and i find it so hand at xmas doing the gammon in one and beef in another.

but as our family is growing i thought about buying a bigger one, as i pften have family up for a meal and i cook a huge vat of chilli and i use both slow cookers for that. ( loads left for freezing also) so i purchased the 6.5 oval one. however i found i didn't want to part with the first two.

a month of so ago my 3.5 one broke, so i headed straight up argos and bought an identical one, only to find it isn't a 3,5 any more it is 2 litre one. However it is brillient. ideal for times when i want to reheat a smaller portion of chill for say just me and the kids. i can put the chill in in morning and by tea time it heat through and ready.

so i have in my dresser a 2 litre, 3.5 and a 6.5 one. they all have there uses and i don't think i could get rid of any of them, if they break i shall simply replace like for like.

rachbc

I have the 6.5 and use it for whole shoulder of lamb and big pieces of pork. I did read you can't cook small amounts in a large one but never had a problem