Recommendations for Slow Cookers please

Jay-Jay_4

I got the free Multi-cooker from La Redoute and used it today for the first time .... I LOVE IT!

Only problem is that it's very small and I like to cook enough for two meals for us and a few to freeze for the baby. While the free one would be perfect for a couple or even for youngish family it's not big enough for a large casserole and there isn't a cat in 'ells chance of getting a chicken in there.

I'm definately going to have to get a bigger one now as I really want to try chicken and joints of meat done in one.

kazd

DingDong wrote:

Someone at work suggested I buy an electric frying pan which is basically the same as a normal pan but I'm having trouble finding one.

Tried to find you one like mine which is a Tefal but I don't think they make them anymore which is a shame because I love it.

Hopefully this should give you a link to there next version which I think is still on sale with Amazon, although its no longer showing on the Tefal site. Its classed as a multi cooker but if you read the description it does all sorts. This is the one my friend has and she really raves about it.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000AI3YR/qid=1111102243/sr=1-14/ref=sr_1_2_14/202-9969756-3539020

moggins

I had an electric frypan/multi cooker thing. It was brilliant. Unfortunately the power lead got lost when we moved, I really miss it as you could do so much in it.

elona

Moggins
Could you contact the manufacturers and get a new lead or have you "slung it"?

filigree_2

Talk about peer pressure, now I'm gagging for a slow cooker and a few months ago I'd never heard of them! I'm very very tempted by the Tesco special offer. Trouble is I've got a tiny kitchen so I need to do some radical tidying to find room for it. I suppose I could always store it in the oven (making extra sure the oven is stone cold of course).

I saw a slow cooker recipe book in the 99p bookshop and passed it by, now I'm kicking myself. I'll just have to nick recipes off the 55 page recipe thread instead ;o)

kazd

Mentioned to my husband that I was thinking about getting a slow cooker. I do not work (apart from my choc parties but thats only two seasons a year). So I need to justify whether I actually need this. So I need facts and figures from you guys. Is the food actually better than me cooking a casserole in the oven for two or three hours on low heat. (This still tenderizes (sp) cheaper cuts of meat). Have made lamb kleftiko slowly in the oven and wondered whether you could actually do this in a slow cooker.

So what are the advantages for me a stay at home mum, of having one of these.

Ticklemouse

I am a SAHM and I love my slow cookers. IMO the casseroles/braised meat etc dishes are far better than having been done in the oven. I did a large chicken last week, stuffed with a lemon. It was fall off the bone delish and the lemon was infused throughout the meat - much more so than if I'd have roasted it. I'm doing a leg of lamb tomorrow.

I don't know what the running costs of a gas oven or gas hobs are - have wondered that myself. All I know is that the meals I have produced from the slow cookers are much nicer than equivalent in the oven. Also, I've bought cheap cuts of meat I've not tried before and they have been lovely.

Do you know anyone you can borrow one off? Then you could try it and see. Or pick one up at a car boot sale. If you don't like it you've not wasted much money and if you do, you can always upgrade to a large one. I don't think you'll be disappointed though.

kazd

Having sat and read through the slow cooker recipe thread, I am beginning to wonder whether I should go for the one with the timer as a few people have mentioned buying a plug in timer. Your thoughts please.

I am also going to buy it via rpoints and see if I get my points. I spent a fortune with them at Christmas and got all my points and I didn't buy just books, I bought toys, games, dvd's etc

dwhl

have been to makro today and seen a 6.5 litre RIVAL slow cooker for 14.99 +VAT.
Beat that

Ticklemouse

But as the above posts say, Rival seem to have poor reviews. You may be better off buying the Morphy Richards one as £25.25 as they are great. Depends on what you want,how much you think you may use it and what you will cook in it.