Good and bad buys from Aldi and Lidl

stockton_2

Hi All,

In my local Aldi they have got Crofton Electric Multi-cookers for £34.99. I already have a rice cooker and a slow cooker but (from a safety aspect) I think it could be useful to have an electric gadget that cooks rice and steams vegetables and then automatically switches off and keeps the stuff warm. Unlike the gas which has to be watched carefully.

Anyone used these type of things before? Would appreciate any observations from users. Is it true, for example, that the rice takes over an hour to cook? How long does it take to steam vegetables. I have read that the slow cooker takes ages to cook. I am not expecting miracles but is it worth buying for just cooking rice and steaming vegetables?

Stompa

Cornucopia wrote: »

I will check out B&M next time I am in the vicinity.

They're these:

http://www.higatesltd.co.uk/flapjax/

though (in our store at least) they only have the original recipe, chocolate & chocolate chip varieties. 120g bars are 29p, and there's also a smaller one at 19p.

Cornucopia

Not being funny, but slow cookers are intended to cook slowly. Mine has two heat settings that equate to 3-4 hours cooking time, and 6-8 hours.

If you are cooking raw meat or fish, you have to be especially cautious and realise that the meat will still be basically raw even after 1-2 hours.

stockton_2

Cornucopia wrote: »

Not being funny, but slow cookers are intended to cook slowly. Mine has two heat settings that equate to 3-4 hours cooking time, and 6-8 hours.

If you are cooking raw meat or fish, you have to be especially cautious and realise that the meat will still be basically raw even after 1-2 hours.

Most of the people who gave reviews also had slow cookers and were able to compare with the multi-cooker. One person said that there there was a limit of 9 hours on one multi-cooker (Tefal) and that was not sufficient time as the vegetable were still too hard. There was only one heat setting and that was too low.

In my present slow-cooker I rarely need to have it cooking more than five or six hours.

But like I say I am wanting it just to do rice and vegetables.

Feral_Moon

stockton wrote: »

Hi All,

In my local Aldi they have got Crofton Electric Multi-cookers for £34.99. I already have a rice cooker and a slow cooker but (from a safety aspect) I think it could be useful to have an electric gadget that cooks rice and steams vegetables and then automatically switches off and keeps the stuff warm. Unlike the gas which has to be watched carefully.

Anyone used these type of things before? Would appreciate any observations from users. Is it true, for example, that the rice takes over an hour to cook? How long does it take to steam vegetables. I have read that the slow cooker takes ages to cook. I am not expecting miracles but is it worth buying for just cooking rice and steaming vegetables?

Rice takes just 10 minutes to cook in a pan on the hob so compare that to using an hour's worth of energy for the same result in an expensive gadget. Likewise, vegetables take 5-10 mins to steam in a conventional steamer. Double up with the veg steaming above the rice to save even more money!

stockton_2

Feral_Moon wrote: »

Rice takes just 10 minutes to cook in a pan on the hob so compare that to using an hour's worth of energy for the same result in an expensive gadget. Likewise, vegetables take 5-10 mins to steam in a conventional steamer. Double up with the veg steaming above the rice to save even more money!

I am thinking mostly of the safety aspect. It is easy to forget you have got pans on the hob (I am cracking on a bit). It would be money well spent if it did the job and switched it self off afterwards. Apparently you just put the rice in and leave it and it is waiting for you nice and warm.

I do not like to have to constantly go checking things in the kitchen, especially if I am watching a footie match or doing something interesting on the computer.

Also, the other tenants are not happy when the smoke alarms go off.

Feral_Moon

I would worry more about food poisoning from cooking the rice over an extended period of time plus keeping it warm for some time afterwards. Perfect breeding ground for the toxins in rice. Can you not sit in the kitchen for 5-10 mins whilst the rice is cooking? Or use the cooker timer to remind you?

mcculloch29

I had a multi-cooker that I ended up giving to my daughter as it was far too fast for me, it had a steel crock rather than a ceramic crock. It cooked rice incredibly quickly. The bottom layer of rice was slightly crisp. If this multicooker has a metal crock it's probably fast as well.

sharond101

Cornucopia wrote: »

New products at Aldi...

- Foodie Market 5 x individual flapjacks (small, but currently reasonable value at 75p) (Fruity or Oaty varieties).

- Also the big flapjacks previously branded Holly Lane (like the cakes), are now Foodie Market. Still 49p each.

Both products now in a permanent home with the other muesli bars and dried fruit.



Random observations...

- Grandessa Peanut Butter is now in a plastic jar.

- Pita Breads now 42p for 6, in different packaging and slightly smaller/different shape.


Anyone tried the Aldi Decaffeinated Tea?

Aldi de-caff tea is reasonable, my preference is Typhoo.

mcculloch29

Cornucopia wrote: »

New products at Aldi...




Anyone tried the Aldi Decaffeinated Tea?

Yes, it's fine. My usual tea is Yorkshire Gold (I only drink 1 or 2 cups a day, it's a bit expensive for a 5 cup habit), but Aldi Decaff is a good much lower priced alternative to Yorkshire Tea Decaff.