Slow Cookers and Chicken

Brambling

Argos currently have some with 25% off or Robert Dyas often have them at a good price.  Perhaps you could check you local Facebook free cycle pages you may find some one trying to get rid of one or who have dropped their pot 

goldfinches

Have a look at the morphy richards sear and stew ones. The great advantage of this range is the non-stick aluminium pot which is suitable for the hob so you can start it off there and then put it in the base to go on cooking. The pot is really light too plus it just rinses clean when you're washing up or it can go in the dishwasher.
I see that you'd be left with a spare ceramic pot but I still think it's worth your looking and giving it some serious consideration. I have the 3.5l but I know there is a larger size available too and every now and again they are on offer in various places. 

balabooberlies

Thank you JD

will research

bala

greenbee

Bear in mind that the 'sear and stew' don't work on induction hobs. And a couple of people have said that they prefer the flavour with a ceramic pot. The glaze has gone on my old (vast) crockpot, and although the base is working, annoyingly I can't get a replacement pot. I've opted for a smaller Morphy Richards ceramic one this time so I can start making stock and stews again.

balabooberlies

thank you GB

bala

PipneyJane

balabooberlies said:

The slow cooked chicken fed 3 adults for one main meal, my dog twice.  I then took the advice on here, put the carcass back, added water and let it do it's thing.  I managed to retrieve more chicken for my dog and used the stock to make a really lovely sausage cassoulet.  Success all round as the chicken was reduced to clear.

Now for the bad news.  I managed to melt and ruin the slow cooker.  It's over 20 years old but we were just becoming friends.  I could kick myself !  The ceramic pot will be kept and used but am annoyed with myself.  Any advice on buying new one would be appreciated.  Largest possible.

Bala

May I ask how you killed it?  Just curious.

A good slow cooker is all about the seal.  I’m on my fourth.  The first one was small (3 or 4 litres) and burnt out after 15 years (too small to hold a chicken).  The second was a wedding present, 6 litres, Russell Hobbs and worked well enough. (I can’t remember how it died.). The third was huge, 10L, purchased off Amaz0n for £20, and would boil dry at the drop of a hat because the lid didn’t seal properly.  

When I got totally fed up with that one, I purchased a 6L Crockpot.  It cost about £50 from C0stc0.  Excellent seal. I’ve had to revise all my recipes because no liquid evaporates from this one.  It holds a whole chicken and will take a large stew.  Before I bought it, I asked several American friends for recommendations, since slow cookers are a bigger part of their cooking culture.  All answered “Crockpot”.  It is definitely worth the money.

 HTH

- Pip

balabooberlies

hi Pip

I had the SC on the back burner and in my veritable wisdom decided to fry something on the front burner.  Melted the plastic casing.  Could still kick myself !

bala

balabooberlies

Thank you everyone

am off to research

bala

balabooberlies

okay, have done research (some)...........

Like the idea of sear and stew (only Morphy Richards) but I have what might seem like a silly question.  I want the option of batch cooking but if I buy a larger one (6.5 ltrs) does that mean that I have to batch cook/fill it all the time ?  If you see what I mean...................

Nelski

No I quite often run mine half full I have the sear and stew one and its great, True one pot cooking.