Slow Cooker - The Recipe Collection

blueberrypie

Having trawled through this thread, I bought ingredients for a few slow-cooker recipes and pulled out my slow-cooker. It's about two years old, but I've probably used it less than ten times.

It's a Russell Hobbs 10951 - the dual-pot one. Not a cheap buy at all. But the control panel's not working properly - I can't switch between low and high modes :-(

Looking on-line, I see that several other people have posted about problems like this - two reviews on Amazon alone mention the same issue. So I phoned Russell Hobbs, and I'm really disappointed with their stance. They want me to post the thing back to them (at my cost) and if they decide there's a fault, they might offer me a replacement at a discounted price.

Erm... the phrase "good money after bad" comes to mind!

I think I'm going to buy a new one - *not* a Russell Hobbs! - and write to the RH management about it, asking for a full refund of what I paid.

gillian0808

Hi,
This maybe a silly question but do slow cooker use a lot of electric since they are on so many hours?

many thanks,
G

blueberrypie

gillian0808 wrote: »

Hi,
This maybe a silly question but do slow cooker use a lot of electric since they are on so many hours?

No, they're very efficient and use very little electricity. The usage is similar to a 60W bulb in most cases, and I think I remember reading somewhere that having your electric oven on for about 20 minutes takes as much electricity as a slow cooker running for 6 hours.

RooBee

Hi

Inspired by this thread, I've just bought my first slow cooker (Tesco £9.96...only 3.5 litres but there is just OH and I so should be sufficient). Being a basic model, it doesn't come with anything more than the most rudimentary instructions and that's where I'm becoming a little unstuck....

I am planning a sausage and lentil casserole tomorrow. Will have browned the sausages in advance and plan to chuck it all in with some tinned tomatoes and stock.

Now, there are 3 temperature options on the SC...low, high and warm. Should I set it to low or high to cook my casserole? It will be on for at least 8 hours whilst we are out at work. Also, do I need to let it warm up before putting the ingredients in or is it ok to put them in from cold?

TIA

blueberrypie

Probably too late for an answer now, but anyway...

Cooking for 8 hours, I'd use the low setting. You don't need to warm the stuff up - it might shorten the cooking-time if you do, but with 8 hours ahead, that's not a concern ;-)

RooBee

Glad to report that my first ever slow cooker meal (sausage & lentil casserole) was delicious!! More than enough for 2 of us and enough left over for another meal :-)

I think I may be a SC convert. It was wonderful to come home from workknowing dinner was already done :-)

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to post to offer ideas, help and advice to all SC newbies.

samminich

My husband is working more and more away from home and getting back later in the evening. I am getting fed up of cooking two meals one for the children and another for us later in the evening.

Do any of you wonderful people have any ideas for meals that I could cook in the slow cooker that I could serve for the kids and still be edible a couple of hours later or any good meals I could make in bulk and freeze.

I have decided that I really need to get around to this making my life easier and saving me money.

Thanks for any help

Penelope_Penguin

samminich wrote: »

Do any of you wonderful people have any ideas for meals that I could cook in the slow cooker that I could serve for the kids and still be edible a couple of hours later or any good meals I could make in bulk and freeze.

This being Old Style, we have a whole thread of SC recipes I'll add your post so that you can browse

Penny. x

samminich

Thank you Penny for pointing me to the SC thread.

However what about ideas for making in advance and freezing?

Penelope_Penguin

samminich wrote: »

Thank you Penny for pointing me to the SC thread.

However what about ideas for making in advance and freezing?

Sorry - missed that bit. Try this - batch cooking.

Penny. x