Which Slow Cooker please?

SailorSam

This is another long ongoing thread with what people are cooking, so lots to give you ideas for.....

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2197233

Tillytrotter1

I have the large Cookworks one and think it is great. If you cook large cuts of meat then go for it. It us great for gammon, leg of lamb etc and also good if you want to make a big batch of Bolognese sauce. Only downside is it doesn't have a timer but that hasn't bothered me much.

Maryanneslapcabbage

I have had a slow cooker for some years and used it regularly,but getting it in and out of the cupboard was a real pain in the back!

When it broke down I purchased a Morphy Richards one which is called 'sear and stew'. The inner pot is not ceramic,it's made of aluminium. You can put the pot straight onto the hob to sear your meat,add everything else and heat it through before putting it into the slow cooker casing.

It's easier to clean,being non stick,dishwasher safe (although you really don't need to do this) and is much lighter to move around.
It's available in 3.5L and 6.5L.

Hope this helps.:)

Kevie192

I agree with Maryanneslapcabbage.

I have a cookworks ceramic one but found it a bit of a pain having to brown off meat in a pan and transfer it then having an extra pan to wash up. I also found that the ceramic pot was a bit of a pain to clean and it is heavy.

I bought the sear and stew and it is brilliant. Not only can it go on the hob but it is also so much easier to clean and comes up like new every time. I use this one all the time now for slow cooking and the cookworks only comes out if I need 2 slow cookers at the same time, such as when I'm cooking a stew and also something for pudding... Self saucing chocolate pudding is a favourite with us!

Kevin

LittleBill

Thank you, thank you all ....

I think i am 'leaning' in the direction of a bigger one .. Thank you for that ...

I hate being 'Noah' ... Having to have 2 of everything because the first one you bought was the wrong one!

A timer is a good thought too .. I work from home, so am blessed with being able to stop and cook when needs be, but there will surely come a day when we're out and want to come home to a 'ready meal'

LittleSixPointFiveLitreBill :rotfl:

LittleBill

Kevie192 wrote: »

..... the cookworks only comes out if I need 2 slow cookers at the same time, such as when I'm cooking a stew and also something for pudding... Self saucing chocolate pudding is a favourite with us!

Kevin

TwoSlowCookerKevie!

Goodness .. Don't get me thinking in that mode .. I'll never make a deci..:rotfl:.. sion

ariba10

You can cook small amounts in a large one.

But you can't cook large amounts in a small one.

LittleBill

ariba10 wrote: »

You can cook small amounts in a large one.

But you can't cook large amounts in a small one.

*bowing* Oh wise one

Big is the clever choice

A.Penny.Saved

LittleBill, what type of energy does your cooker use? Gas or electric - using various methods?

If you only wish to save energy you would probably be better off getting a pressure cooker. Slow cookers are not as energy efficient as they are made out to be. They are usually electric which is not the most efficient method of cooking IMO, partly it's price and gas burns to produce heat which is what is needed for cooking. If your cooker uses gas, gas rings then getting a pressure cooker would cook faster and therefore use less energy to finish. Take a look at pressure cookers and the speed that they cook. Slow cookers are useful if you want to start something before going out to work and come home and finish off the meal. A pressure cooker is great if you want a meal in 20 - 30 minutes.

Around a 6 litre pressure cooker might be more suitable.

Slow cookers may have their uses for some people but for others they are of very little use. I have a family member who purchased one because so many people were buying them and has never used it so far.

I am expecting a pressure cooker from Amazon after waiting over 2 weeks so far. I might receive it sometime next week and then I intend starting making batches of soup.......quickly, none of this 12 hours+ waiting. I'm not that patient. lol

missprice

I got given a cook works oval 3.5 Lt for Xmas. Its great and I do love it. Surprisingly large but still not large enough. And I worry I will break the pot its so heavy.

I wanted to be able to batch cook and freeze some portions, but I feed anywhere between 2 and 8 people some days and the 3.5 can't do more. So am planning to ask for the biggest sized sear and stew for the weight and no extra pan to wash up after browning.
The smaller one will be given to someone.