which slow cooker for my daughter ?

morganlefay

I know there are pages on here about SCs, but here's a quick question: my son in law likes SC cooking but my DD says that everything comes out of it wet and tasteless. I freegled mine as I found the same thing and now I Kuhn Rikon PC instead (which I love). She is now wondering if it's just their very old SC, and because she would like to have TASTY food gently cooking during the day she is thinking of buying another one.
What should she look for please ? There are the two of them and a six year old and a two year old, both good eaters. I think she needs one which she could just dump the ingredients in and go to work, so not one which has to be turned down after an hour.
I would be v grateful for any suggestions

SailorSam

I got a Cookworks one from Argos for about £10 a couple of years ago and i'm pleased with that. Lots of times i'll fill it before i go to bed and it's all done in the morning.

-taff

If everything comes out of it wet and tasteless, what recipes does she use?

Anne_Marie_2

Perhaps she is putting too much liquid in when cooking?

HappyMJ

You don't as said need much water. Don't worry about not covering all the ingredients they'll all settle down.

Any slow cooker will do...it's just a low heat. There is also no need to put it on a high heat and turn it down later. Pan frying some of the ingredients before putting them in makes them taste better....in my opinion.

Mojisola

morganlefay wrote: »

I know there are pages on here about SCs, but here's a quick question: my son in law likes SC cooking but my DD says that everything comes out of it wet and tasteless.

Does your daughter like the meals you cook in your SC? Some people just don't like stews and casseroles.

If she likes your cooking, try doing the same meal in her SC. I can't see any reason why the make of SC would make a difference.

hot.chick

I always put a thickened gravy in mine instead of water or other thin liquid as the slow cooker doesn't thicken like oven cooked would.

Just a gravy made with hot kettle water & granules makes a lovely stew - if using lamb also add a tablespoon full of mint sauce to make a mint gravy

SailorSam

Maybe if things are coming out wet and tasteless she could do something like wrapping the food in a 'tin-foil' parcel and any juices would be sealed in.

pigpen

I don't put any liquid in mine just for lumps of meat.. though I'll put a pint of stock in with stew/casserole (6.5L SC) I don't think much fluid is needed otherwise it is wet and tasteless.

dronid

A SC is the same as a casserole dish only slower and better for getting flavour out of tougher bits of meat/root vegetables etc. It will all come down to the recipes.

As others have said.
Use minimum cooking liquid (the food will add to it)
Fry stuff beforehand for flavour - meat/onions etc.
Use some robust seasonings if you think it's bland but sometimes the flavour can be stronger than you'd expect.

[Deleted User]

I too have an argos one and its fine Its oval so a chicken will go in there beautifully I rest it on a few sliced onions and half a cup of water and just switch it on before I go to bed and its falling off the bone in the morning great way to get every scrap of chicken off the carcuss.I then strain the liquid into a jug and skim the fat off when cooled and use the jelly underneath for a base of chicken stock for soup.Few stock and lots of meat for curries,sandwiches etc or just with mashed spuds..You really don't need a great deal of liquid especially with a chicken as its got a lot in there already so it cooks in its own juices.A few herbs and spices to liven it up if you want to but I prefer to do that after its cooked.Stews are fantastic in a SC and if you get a bit of brisket done slowly its just so tasty.Makes lovely gravy from the left over juices as well.I wouldn't be without mine in fact I have two a smaller one my DD gave me when her family increased in size so I can SC a chilli at the same time while I'm batch cooking for the freezer.Cooking it over night also takes the chill off the kitchen when you get up in the morning its a little bit warmer in there :):) free heat :):)