Recommendations for Slow Cookers please

kazd

I have been toying with the idea of getting one for a while. Was originally put off because I never liked anything that my Dad produced in one!

However, I do like the idea of cooking something for hours, I usually cook a casserole for about three or four hours in the oven on a low heat, so I guess this will be more cost effective on electricity.

I would like some recommendations on which to go for. I will definately go for one of the larger ones because I have three children but am currently torn between one with a timer and one without. I think the models are Russell Hobbs.

Any input gratefully received.

Curry_Queen

I recently bought the Morphy Richards one from Tesco here and I think it's great!

It's a large 6.5 litre one and being oval I can get a huge chicken in it too

kazd

Curry_Queen

Thanks for that, actually thats one of the ones I am considering not Russell Hobbs as I said.

However, I have found it slightly cheaper on Amazon at £24.51 with free delivery. In addition to that I always go via a site called rpoints that I am registered with, this gets me 3% of the pre vat price and as I pay with Amex Plat I get a further 2% as cashback.

The great thing about rpoints is that you can access many online shops and save the points, then transfer them to paypal and withdraw them as cash. (make sure the amount you withdraw is over £50 to avoid charges). I think its great because I earn points for things that I would have got anyway.

If its ok, I will post my link, if you follow the link and then register I get referral points. Its a free site and like this one is all about saving money.

Here goes hope it works.

**edited to take out the referal link as it goes against site rules**

Happy savings!!

Ticklemouse

I also have the same one as Curry_Queen. I think it's the same price in Argos at the moment too. It certainly is big enough for a family. I've cooked a very large chicken in it today, and a few days ago I for a 5kg+ ham in it. It is a higher wattage than the older, smaller one, so I find I only use the low setting. My chicken was extremely well done and falling off the bone after 7 hours and was probably ready a good while before.

I can't see the point of paying for a timer. It wouldn't be particularly safe IMO to put say, a chicken in there, leave it at room temp for a few hours and then let it switch on. If you are only out for 'normal' hours at work then low would be fine. Alternatively, it would be cheaper to buy or use an existing timer on your plug, to switch it off.

Edit. You can't get amazon cash-back points on the slow cooker. Even with it's reduced price over Tesco, you can get points at Tesco so the overall saving at Amazon is only 12p. I chose Tesco as I've never bought via Amazon so felt safer with Tesco's - personal preference only.

kazd

Ticklemouse

Edit. You can't get amazon cash-back points on the slow cooker. Even with it's reduced price over Tesco, you can get points at Tesco so the overall saving at Amazon is only 12p. I chose Tesco as I've never bought via Amazon so felt safer with Tesco's - personal preference only.

Not sure what you mean by amazon cash back points. I get the points by using the rpoints link, this gives me 3% off pre vat price and then I get a further 2% for using my Amex.

So I save a further 49p by using Amex and 62p off for going via rpoints plus 74p diff between tesco and amazon, total saving of £1.85.

Having thought about it logically, you are totally right about the timer so will opt for the cheaper model.

Re Amazon, I have used them extensively, especially at Xmas as I work long hours from Sept to beg of Dec so its great for making sure I get all the must haves for my kids. Saved quite a bit and got rpoints to boot. Had no problems with amazon.

tiff

I have the Morphy Richards 48715 6 litre one. I think its fab and the best thing for the kitchen I ever bought. It will take large joints, or alternatively fill it right up and freeze any leftovers. I usually put mine on high as I quite often put it on at lunchtime and its then ready at tea time. I had been trying to decide between this one and another MR one that has two sections, so you can cook a dessert at the same time if you like. I'm glad now I didnt go for that as the benefits of a large pot are better. Ive not used my oven to cook a joint or a chicken since I bought my slow cooker. Every piece of meat that goes in there comes out tender, great for kids.

Curry_Queen

kazd wrote:

Not sure what you mean by amazon cash back points. I get the points by using the rpoints link, this gives me 3% off pre vat price and then I get a further 2% for using my Amex.

I assume rpoints works the same as greasypalm, which I prefer (btw you're not allowed to post referral links anywhere other than the referral boards ) and Amazon only allow the 3% cashback on books, cd/dvd's, games etc, not household stuff.

Ticklemouse wrote:

It is a higher wattage than the older, smaller one, so I find I only use the low setting. My chicken was extremely well done and falling off the bone after 7 hours and was probably ready a good while before.

I also found that my meals have been ready much quicker on this model, even on the low setting, so have started switching it off after around 6 hours instead of 8, depending how full the pot is. I don't mind that as I'm home 24/7 anyway and it means I don't have to start preparing dinner before breakfast :j

elona

I LOVE my new Morphy Richards slow cooker - I can get a whole chicken or gammon joint in it and it makes masses of food. It has saved me loads of time and money and it has been used every day since it was delivered over a week ago. :):)

kazd

I have just seen another slow cooker, its a Tefal 3 in 1, its a slow cooker, steamer and rice cooker. Its on Amazon for £45 odd.

What do the slow cooker guru's think of this one.

tiff

I've not come across that one Kaz.

tinytot_2

If you have a Makro card they have a Rival slow cooker on offer for £14.99, 6.5 lt with two heat settings.

:j