Recommendations for Slow Cookers please

DingDong_3

Thanks Tiff. Also what's the difference between a multi cooker and a slow cooker? I've seen one on ebay saying it works just the same as a slow cooker. Are cheap slow cookers just as good as expensive ones? What's the difference between them all?

tiff

Pooky wrote:

I just got offered a free one with any order on la redoubt. Would be silly to refuse really!

Not sure if it will be any good but worth a try as mine's just about to bite the dust.

Sorry, I missed this then posted about Rival slow cookers. If you've got one free, go for it

tiff

DingDong wrote:

Thanks Tiff. Also what's the difference between a multi cooker and a slow cooker? I've seen one on ebay saying it works just the same as a slow cooker. Are cheap slow cookers just as good as expensive ones? What's the difference between them all?

Not sure about multi cookers, I suppose they are like the Tefal one mentioned above, a rice cooker, steamer and slow cooker in one. I dont know about the difference between a cheap slow cooker and an expensive one, lots of people on here have bought bargain slow cookers and seem pleased with them.

I suppose a multi cooker would be useful to you if you only have a microwave, perhaps someone who has one can advise you.

filigree_2

I bought something off La Redoute because they offered me a free multicooker, but when the parcel arrived the cookers were out of stock and all I got was a manky cheap phone. If you want to order from La Redoute make sure you really want the goods and they're a good price, because the "free gifts" are unreliable.

They've been hassling me to make an order to get a free suede overnight bag, what's the betting I just get some other bit of tat I don't want?!

filigree_2

I've been looking at these threads and I'm tempted to buy a slow cooker now! However, I don't have a large family and I'm not sure I'd need a really large cooker, I don't cook large joints of meat. I do roast chicken but I fill the oven with other meals to justify having the oven on for hours.

The tesco site has a 3 litre slow cooker for £17.99, would that be suitable or would it be far too small? The sort of meals I'm considering are braised steak for two, or small casseroles with a couple of chicken pieces. I'd like to use it to make bone stock, to avoid having a stockpot simmering for hours and making the kitchen damp.

I suppose if the 6 litre cookers really are better quality, I could get one anyway and cook double portions for the freezer. I'm open to suggestions.

I'd be grateful for any pointers from the cooker gurus

PS does a slow cooker make the kitchen steamy, or is the steam sealed in?

Curry_Queen

My advice would be to go for the bigger one as you never know when you might need the extra space ... turkey at xmas ... plus, as you say, you can make double portions and freeze one. At the price Tesco are selling them (£25ish) you can't really go wrong

Oooooooops forgot to add ... no, there's no steam as liquid doesn't evaporate in a slow cooker!

fazer6

There's nothing a small one will do that a big one won't. But if in the future you fancy putting a whole chicken or leg of lamb in you'll have trouble if you get a smaller one. It's very money saving to do a roast dinner so at some point you might want to try it.

You dont' need as much liquid in a slow cooker because hardly any water escapes, it's not completely sealed but it still won't reduce as much, so don't worry about coming back to a steamy kitchen!

I'd always say cook double and freeze half. It takes hardly any time to prepare double the quantity but you save a lot of time and gas/electric when you just put the leftovers in the microwave on another day.

It all depends on your budget and how much kitchen space you have.

Galtizz

filigree wrote:

I don't have a large family and I'm not sure I'd need a really large cooker, I don't cook large joints of meat.
QUOTE]

There are only 2 of us and I didn't like joints of meat until I bought a slow cooker and tasted one that had been cooked in there.

I find it really handing to make up a massive batch of something and then freeze it for later.

I also use it filled to the brim for if people come for tea (very rarely, about twice a year). For my birthday I had the whole family around (12 people) and I made a massive chilli in the slow cooker (with potatoes and I did a lasagne for the 2 people that don't like chilli) and it fed all of us with enough for 2nds (and 3rds for the big pigglet lads). It was great because I didn't have to slave over an oven all day, I could just leave it and go out and enjoy myself.

One thing you don't think about when you buy it is how good everything tastes. You might think chicken is OK in the oven but once you've tasted chicken in the slow cooker you'll never do it any other way

Curry_Queen

Galtizz wrote:

One thing you don't think about when you buy it is how good everything tastes. You might think chicken is OK in the oven but once you've tasted chicken in the slow cooker you'll never do it any other way

I can certainly vouch for that having cooked a chicken last night ... so delicious and moist too

fazer6

First thing I made was chicken paprika and I couldn't believe how tender the chicken was.

At christmas you might even want to do mulled wine so you'll need the space for that. :beer: