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No cooker

Just lost another cooker and I can't afford a new one right now, so I'm looking for CHEAP meal ideas please.

I have a slow cooker, deep fat fryer, microwave and toaster.

I already have a few ideas but given that this is likely to be mid-long term, I'd like some variety.

Thank you x
«13

Comments

  • RAS
    RAS Posts: 35,909 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Do you have a kettle?

    How many people and ages?

    Have you thought about www.freegle.org.uk?
    If you've have not made a mistake, you've made nothing
  • meritaten
    meritaten Posts: 24,158 Forumite
    How can you lose a cooker? where did you leave it last? lol
    sorry - that was my weird sense of humour.
    right, obviously you can use the slow cooker for stews etc. and use the actifry for chips, wedges and 'roast' potatoes.
    you can cook veg in the microwave - check the little booklet which came with it for recommended times etc.

    I couldn't manage without my cooker - so I second the suggestion to try 'freecycle'.
  • Swub
    Swub Posts: 6 Forumite
    Seventh Anniversary First Post Combo Breaker
    Yes, I have a kettle. It's for myself, my 8 year old daughter and sometimes my boyfriend.

    I'm keeping an eye out for a cooker but I have no transport either. There's one I can have delivered for free in about 2 months so I might have to wait until then. I'll just have to be a bit creative in the meantime.
  • jackieblack
    jackieblack Posts: 10,530 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    If you could buy/ borrow a 2 ring electric hob/hotplate like these it would be easy.
    I managed for 4 months with just one of these when we first moved to our current home :)
    2.22kWp Solar PV system installed Oct 2010, Fronius IG20 Inverter, south facing (-5 deg), 30 degree pitch, no shading
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    MFW #4 OPs: 2018 £866.89, 2019 £1322.33, 2020 £1337.07
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  • RAS
    RAS Posts: 35,909 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Ok

    The issue with the slow cooker is that a lot of food needs to be brought to the boil first, so that means using the microwave.

    I would be tempted to slowcook some stew type meals and then divide into portions and re-heat in the microwave - freeze some of the other portions if you can.

    That could be

    mince type stews with loads of veggies included served with instant mash
    Tomato based stews with chunky veggies (chicken, beef or bean) with herbs
    traditional British stews like lamb or beef
    Pork and beans

    etc.

    The sauce or gravy could be used to make a pasta sauce for another day?
    If you've have not made a mistake, you've made nothing
  • krlyr
    krlyr Posts: 5,993 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    A cheaper alternative may be a combination microwave. You can microwave, grill and oven-cook in it. We bought one as a temporary measure, over two years ago, and have still not got around to replacing the cooker!
  • Auntie_Sceb
    Auntie_Sceb Posts: 161 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Swub wrote: »
    Just lost another cooker and I can't afford a new one right now, so I'm looking for CHEAP meal ideas please

    BBQ! Make use of the good weather.:)
  • Have you checked down the back of the sofa? :D

    Seriously though, how about one of these?
    4237233_R_Z001A_UC1336242?$TMB$&wid=312&hei=312
    I've got one, and they work a treat.
  • Try asking on your local Freecycle boards/groups for an electric cooker? Also check local furniture recycling charities, they often have PAT-tested electricals.
  • Auntie_Sceb
    Auntie_Sceb Posts: 161 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Swub wrote: »
    Just lost another cooker and I can't afford a new one right now, so I'm looking for CHEAP meal ideas please

    Just another thought you say 'lost' what has actually happened to your cooker?

    Only if it's only one part broken you may be able to use the other?
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