Crockpots- Are they really useful, or not

lucyhope

I didn't like mine, it was almost a relief when I forgot I'd put a rice pudding in and burnt it beyond cleaning! I much prefer the pressure cooker, meat tastes better, cheaper cuts melt in the mouth and take minutes rather than hours.

Ilona

I've got a slow cooker in the cupboard but hardly ever use it, and then it's only to make yogurt in. They are useful if you want to chuck something in it and go out all day. You will have a meal waiting for you when you return.

Tinned soup :eek: oh no, yuk. Chop up veg, in a pan on the hob, blitz with stick blender, lovely home made soup in ten minutes, and no nasties in it.

Ilona

LoppyLoves

I love mine but I don't use it often enough really. I mainly use it to cook a big batch of jacket potatoes/sweet potatoes and then freeze them for quick dinners.
I also make apple pie oatmeal in it overnight when I have guests staying over.

Debran

I love my slow cooker but admit I only use it about once a fortnight. I stopped using my pressure cooker some years ago so sent it to a charity shop.

As others have stated, we are all individuals and so the only way you will know whether you would like using one is to actually give it a go. Try to borrow one if you can.

Someone asked if a crock-pot is the same as a slow cooker. I believe they are the same but the term crock-pot is used more in the States than here.

katkin

I'm another slow cooker lover. Use it about twice a week and sometimes more if I'm doing a batch cooking day to freezer meals etc.

It depends what you like to eat and your lifestyle. Slow cooker use needs to be learnt and recipes adjusted to get the best out of them.

Pollycat

Over 40 years ago, my ex-MIL gave us a brand-new Prestige Crock-pot that a rep gave her.

It was used several times a week during the winter - both of us out at work all day - and when it died (about 6 years ago) the first thing I did was go out and buy a new one.
I now have 2 - a very large 6.5 litre and a smaller one and use either depending on quantities.
Neither cook as well as the old one though and I'm always looking in charity shops and on eBay for a replacement base, I still have the pot & lid and live in hope.

I often use it on Sundays when we meet friends in the pub and it's fab to come home to the smell of stroganoff or goulash.

EstherH

Use mine all the time. Whole chicken or piece of meat at weekend. Soups, stews, mince dishes. Yes, you can cook a lot quicker but the beauty is that you put it in and leave it there. No stirring, checking etc. Whether I'm in for the day or out tea is ready when we are ready for it. It's trial and error at first but I wouldn't want to be without one. Esther xx