Buying a slow cooker (which? & why?)

mrs_motivated

I am cautiously thinking about getting a slow cooker after reading all the lovely things you make in them.

There is me, OH and 16 year old twins and dad moving in soon (so will be five adults) What size slow cooker do I need?

Also can you tell me how much they cost to run and can anyone recommend a slow cooker model and cookbook?

lovetopaint

I have been using a morphy richards 6.5L and it would easily feed 5. I can get a big whole chicken in it too. I chose it because it came out well in a w? guide, and it happened to be half price at argos at the time. I am pleased with it because it has a reasuring red light when on (some don't), is an oval shape which I find a good shape for roasts, looks good too, plus it did well in the which? guide safety test...and it cooks well of course!
I have found books by Katie Bishop or Annette Yates got me on the right track, though eventually I have found that I make up my own through experience of jotting down what works for us through trial and error. Sorry to go on, but one more thing, if you do get into slow cooking, I have found it best to always fry onions first, don't bother frying off meat first (messy), and if using tinned tomatoes, only put them in for the last hour or they can taste a bit strange...but that down to personal taste of course. I will stop there! Good luck with your descision!

Pink.

Hi mrs motivated,

I have two slow cookers...a 25 year old tower that is 3.5ltrs and a morphy richards 6.5ltrs. I prefer the tower one as it cooks the food much more slowly but is inadequate for our family of five if I want to add potatoes etc to the dish. The MR is great but can overcook food if left for a very long time.....I usually find six to eight hours on low will produce good results but much longer and the food can become dry or even burned. I'm forutnate in that I'm home most of the day so it's not a problem for me, but some people have needed to invest in a separate timer so that the food doesn't over cook.

This thread has lots of advice on buying slow cookers:

Buying a slow cooker (which? & why?)

These threads may give you an idea of costs:

How does a slow cooker save money?

Slow Cooker - how much electricity does it use?

slow cookers. Not the cheapest way

This one recommends books:

Slow Cooker Cookbook recommendations

And you will find lots of recipes here:

Slow Cooker - The Recipe Collection

In my slow cooker today...



I'll add your thread to the first link later to keep the replies together.

Pink

mrs_motivated

Thankyou - I am at work all day, so i need something that I could put of around 7 am to be cooked for about 7 pm. I will look through all the posts you directed me to and let you both know how i get on

dizzybuff

:rotfl:Yes I have killed it , managed to break the crock pot and melt the wire :rotfl: I am really sad about it but it was inevitable , as I am such a clutz .

So Ladies and Gents ( are there any OS men) I need advise on which one to buy ..

So please advise away

Diz

Pink.

Hi dizzybuff,

A lot will depend on the size of your family, whether you like to batch cook etc.

This thread has lots of advice and recommendations that may help:

Buying a slow cooker (which? & why?)

I'll add your thread to it later to keep the suggestions together.

Pink

rosalie-lavender

I have this one from lakeland and am very pleased with it.

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/lakeland-slow-cooker/F/keyword/slow+cooker/product/12921

The oval shape means it fits nicely on my narrow worktop and I have found it easy to use and with the help of you all on the os board, I have made some lovely meals in it.

dizzybuff

I batch cook and had a Morphy richards one 3.5 litres I think It was huge . There are only 2 adults and a toddler , but soon to be 3 , and I freeze leftovers and do meals on wheels for my mum. I really need one with coolish sides if I can , I found my morphy richards one got so hot , as My ds can now reach on the top , if he does put his hand on the side I dont want him to get burnt.

tcr_3

Ebay have the 3.5 litre Rival Crock Pot coming in from £17.99 with free P&P. That's the one we got a few weeks ago, we're novices to crockpots/slow cookers but have to say it does a fantastic job of cooking beef joints, it's solidly made too ... we've no complaints with it at all.

Fruball

Buy the cheapest one if you think this will happen a lot