Slow cooker or bread maker?

Cheap_Date

Hi all! :hello:

I'm fairly new, so I thought I'd ask the experts! I have a little bit of spare cash (only a little, mind!) and can't decide whether to buy a slow cooker or a bread maker. I can see the benefits of both but wondered what other OSers think.

I'm thinking the bread maker will get more use, but I'd love to hear some opinions. (There are so many threads relating to slow cookers, maybe I need to read some of the recipes properly.)

Thanks very much for reading this. Hope to get some feedback! Have joined the January Grocery challenge and feel quite positive about saving in 2008!!

MissEyre

Slow cooker slow cooker slow cooker...I am quite new to the slow cooker but love mine so much I might just marry it. I also know too many people who have a bread maker collecting dust! But that is just my opinion, lots of people will be along soon to tell you (and me) how brilliant bread makers are...

I've also joined the GC, will keep an eye out for you and see how we both do in our first month!

MRSMCAWBER

Hi there

I would go for the slow cooker too -especially if you work. Bread is really easy to make by hand, so my BM has gone into the basement lol.... my slow cooker stands on the worktop all year long..

North-East_Quine

Slow Cooker every time for me! I have had mine for a couple of years and still use it regularly. My Breadmaker is only 6 months old and whilst I made all my own bread to begin with, the novelty is wearing off.

Go for a Slow Cooker - it's so versatile - soups, stews, joints of beef. I'm sure there are hundreds of other recipes.

Protogenia

Aye..I fourth that...slow cooker every time!

Cheap_Date

Thanks guys! The slow cooker seems to be winning (so far!) You are convincing me. I will have a look see what's on offer in the sales! (and start looking at the recipe threads).

Mrs Mcawber, do you know, making bread by hand hadn't even crossed my mind :embarasse How embarrassing!! I suppose all that kneading would be a good upper body work out for January!

foreign_correspondent

slow cooker for me too - its so convenient and can enable you to make tasty soups, stews, casseroles etc from ecenomical ingredients (the slow cooking tenderises cheaper cuts of meat) - you can bung it on in the morning and tea is ready when you get home.
I have a breadmaker, but to be honest find it a bit of a faff when I am busy, so it isnt used that often!

salster

Yet another one for the Slow Cooker. I've had mine for nearly 10 years now and it's still going strong. I also bake my bread by hand. (It gives me something to take the woes of the day out on )

noonesperfect

Yup, me too, slow cooker (I made some wonderful stock with the turkey carcass and for the first time didn't feel like I was wasting loads of elctric simmering it for hours! Brilliant invention. Oh and the rice pud made in a slow cooker is to die for .

I'm biased as I don't have a bread maker and don't know anyone who has, but I think the slow cooker is more versatile.

droopsnout

Well, I'll be first up for the bread machine, then!

Whilst the smell from the slow cooker can be a bit overpowering during the day, the whiffs from the bread machine never fail to draw enthusiastic comments from family and guests alike. And, of course, there is just nothing like fresh bread, still warm, with a dollop of butter and a wipe of jam!

Of course, the best answer is to use both, then dip your fresh, crusty bread into your deliciously hot home-made soup or casserole!

Cheap_Date

Oh Droopsnout, you've confused me now!!