Buying a slow cooker (which? & why?)

terra_ferma

Popperwell wrote: »

Sandy,
The liquid and meat or whatever is cooked goes into the bags and so far it has always worked. And I did read somewhere not to seal the roasting bag so I tend to leave the top of the bag loosely closed, I suppose it allows steam to escape. Roasting bags work for me being single and perhps I cook smaller amounts and yet I have cooked a full chicken/roast in them before and quite a large amount of liquid(with vegetables/potatoes)mince too.

And it does mean you can lift the bag out and pour the contents straight onto a plate or if you have a big enough bowl/container, it can go straight into that.

If it's a large SC you could in theory split the meal into two or three RB's so you are portioning it out. If the bag stays intact you could in theory if you are cooking some with the intention of freezing some, let it cool down and then put in the fridge or freezer in the bag. Or transfer the contents into a food storage box...

After all RB's work in an oven/microwave when steaming. Best value on RB's price wise so far seems to be Wilkinsons you get more for your money and they are quite large...though I hear that E-Bay takes some beating...

what a great idea :T
while looking for roasting bags I found that in the states they use these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Reynolds-Slow-Cooker-Liners-/220797710138?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item336891af3a
I haven't seen them in UK and they are too expensive to buy from US, but sooner or later we'll get them here too, I expect

and this is how they use them
http://mrscdoesstuff.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/easiest-roast-recipe-ever.html

Popperwell

terra_ferma wrote: »

what a great idea :T
while looking for roasting bags I found that in the states they use these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Reynolds-Slow-Cooker-Liners-/220797710138?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item336891af3a
I haven't seen them in UK and they are too expensive to buy from US, but sooner or later we'll get them here too, I expect

and this is how they use them
http://mrscdoesstuff.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/easiest-roast-recipe-ever.html

Thank you and for the links too...:)Isn't it strange that in a way I have been virtually doing what those SC liners are meant to do...they could be handy of you want to use the whole pot as intended, yet I manage approx 10 meals out of one packet of roasting bags, for approx £1.

terra_ferma

Popperwell wrote: »

Thank you and for the links too...:)Isn't it strange that in a way I have been virtually doing what those SC liners are meant to do...they could be handy of you want to use the whole pot as intended, yet I manage approx 10 meals out of one packet of roasting bags, for approx £1.

...they always find a way to get you to buy more stuff... a bit like the 500 types of cleaning stuff they want to sell you that all do the same job....
Your way seems to make sense, particularly for smaller portions, I'll give it a try.

cornishchick

I used to have a S/C about 5 years ago, that broke down just as I moved into my new hubbys home, we ment to buy a new one but never got around to it.
I would like to use a little of our wedding present cash to buy a new one but I am not sure which one to buy. not saying money is no object but also do have a budget of about £40.

I intend to use it approx twice a week, at least to start with.
there are only us two, no kids. ( all grown up and left home. )
but I do like to batch cook for the freezer.

my kitchen isn't huge so it needs to be compact.

so over to you guys, All opinions welcome.

cbrown372

Noticed Tesco's own today for £12.

Going4TheDream

Depends what you are going to use it for? round ones are great for stews, steaming desserts, and cooking cakes (round tins), whilst the oval ones are better for pot roasted meats and for use with loaf tins and terrine's, small whole fish that kind of thing

Size might be a consideration also, if you are going to only cook a meal for two then a smaller size may better but if you are going to batch cook and freeze portions then a bigger size would be better.

I have one of each, only because I used to live alone and a small one sufficed, now I live with my OH and batch cook I needed a bigger one, and I do use both depending on what I am cooking/making). I wouldnt be without one now!

Popperwell

cbrown372 wrote: »

Noticed Tesco's own today for £12.

I have that one but when Mum passed away as there is only myself now:(I thought it may be too large so invested in another from B&M Bargains for approx £10.

But the Tesco one is probably big enough for two people and if single it may mean you could make a up a decent amount of food and portion it out, freeze it so you have a few meals to reheat another day.

Mine don't have the auto feature which I understand goes through some programme(they have three settings...low heat, high heat and one that keeps the food warm)That must be a bit like the way a hostess trolley used to work.

The auto feature I think cooks food for a couple of hours at a high temperature and then switches to the lower setting...(I have seen some in Argos and Wilkinsons that have that and are well priced)

Going4theDream, I have never seen a round SC but I can see that makes sense...now I have two though unless one breaks I will carry on using what I have.

I would not be without a slow cooker now...wish we had used one when Mum alive. I am sure she would have enjoyed the meals I am now able to do...

Going4TheDream

Popperwell wrote: »

The auto feature I think cooks food for a couple of hours at a high temperature and then switches to the lower setting...(I have seen some in Argos and Wilkinsons that have that and are well priced)

Going4theDream, I have never seen a round SC but I can see that makes sense...now I have two though unless one breaks I will carry on using what I have.

I would not be without a slow cooker now...wish we had used one when Mum alive. I am sure she would have enjoyed the meals I am now able to do...

The round one is the small one, I got in Asda a few years back for £8, ideal as its small, used to do me for two meals/dinners and just fits a cake tin in, good point about the auto cook too as not all have them.

I find these days with the price of gas and electricity I am using the slow cooker more and more than ever!

cornishchick

ok , have decided to buy the tesco's one. its got good reviews, and is down in price and.. when sorting out the drawers in the front room, preparing to move, I found ??£ 8.50 of money of vouchers so its a no brainer lol..

angeltreats

I have a Tesco own brand one, I don't use it as often as a lot of the folks on here but it's always been perfectly good for my purposes. I once left it too close to a gas ring and totally melted one of the handles But it still works fine. I don't see the point of buying more expensive ones really.