Buying a slow cooker (which? & why?)

calleyw

So I need you to do the hard sell on me.

There are only two of us and I looked at 6.5L one it was massive. And think that it way to big for us. We rarely cook whole chickens.

We do cook gammon and pork joints afew times a month. And think that 3.5L one will be big enough.

But the one thing I am worried about is leaving it on while out.

So tell me why I should have one.

Yours

Calley

neets

I'm cooking for the first time in my slow cooker as we speak (pork chops, potatoes, onion, mushrooms, carrots, condensed mushroom soup, smells fantastic). The slow cooker arrived during the week, a 3.5 lr one, which is more than big enough for what I need, but same as you I didn't want to leave it on all day while I was out at work not knowing what it was going to do, so I decided to leave it until the weekend to test it.

It's been cooking for nearly 4 hours already and everything seems fine, the only thing I did notice is that you are best having it sat on something heat resistant rather than directly on your worktop, but I presume most manuals recommend that anyway, mine does.

I'm glad I bought it so far!

Queenie

calley - with just the two of you, the 3.5lt will be fine. (My first one was a tiny one by "Tower" and it had to serve 5 of us )

As for leaving it on all day while you're out, as stated above by neets - place it on something heat resistant.

I find that having the slow cooker on when at home during the day is a false ecomony ... the aroma's are just way too tempting and we all end up salivating and raiding the cake tin long before the meal is ready

I use mine in the warmer weather when I need a hot meal cooking but don't want to spend time in a hot kitchen.

I use mine to take advantage of cheaper cuts of meat which require longer and slower cooking times.

I use mine because, even if I have to change plans by tea time, the meal/leftovers are a great standby in the freezer.

Have a good look at the thread Pink has linked to because that will give you a broader view ... then at least come back and let us know what you've decided

Good luck

AussieLass

You may change your minds about cooking whole chickens. I know I did. They cook really well in the SC. I can generally get three meals (feeds 4) out of one chicken. Then make stock the next day to be put in freezer for other recipes/soups etc. All learnt from here. I don't have the huge SC but it does us.

I've never cooked gammon, I don't even think you can buy it here. But the SC makes all sorts of meats really moist. I've never worried about leaving it on when I'm out. Although like Queenie says when you are home the smell drives you mad. I have made chicken stock at night, and I've kept waking up hungry all the time.:D

windym_2

You cannot beat slow cookers. They cost as little as a lightbulb to heat. I don't bother frying any meat off, just chuck the whole lot in, put it on a timer (the cheap sort from Ikea) and then come home to a lovely meal.

Really great if you use the absolute cheapest cuts of beef - chuck in a tin of tomatoes, add some garlic, onions, cream and a tablespoon of paprika - makes a delicious goulash. Great with mash or rice.

Chicken curry is delicious in it, coq au vin, chicken wraps/nachos - again just a tin of tomatoes and some garlic and onion - amazing results. The meat is always very tender.

Buy the biggest you can handle. Cook as much as you can. Freeze what is left over and then reheat next week! Perfect.

I've even done lasagne, it just is so light and tasty.

tiff

I sometimes regret having such a large slow cooker, there are times when I dont want to freeze the leftovers and just want to cook enough for one meal for the 4 of us, so if there are only two of you I'd say get the smaller one. I leave mine on when I'm out no problem. I love the smell that greets you when you walk in, makes me feel like the best Mum/wife in the world when everyone cant wait to sit down for dinner!

walks

Hi
i am in two minds my self about getting one at the min they have a large one in aldi for 19.99 looks brill hope that helps

pip
x

oldrimes

Hi,

Worthwhile having a look at the one currently reduced in Argos to £9.99.

Its not a basic model (and doesn't seem to have any of the drawbacks of the basic models).

Its 3.5 litre in size, and has high, low and auto settings (high for a while initially, then automatically switches to low). The bowl is removable for washing, and it has a glass lid.

On the argos website https://www.argos.co.uk, code number 420/7490

At that price, its worth trying out to see whether slow cooking suits you.

calleyw

oldrimes wrote:

Hi,

Worthwhile having a look at the one currently reduced in Argos to £9.99.

Its not a basic model (and doesn't seem to have any of the drawbacks of the basic models).

Its 3.5 litre in size, and has high, low and auto settings (high for a while initially, then automatically switches to low). The bowl is removable for washing, and it has a glass lid.

On the argos website https://www.argos.co.uk, code number 420/7490

At that price, its worth trying out to see whether slow cooking suits you.

I looked at that one and I have £5 in nectar points so it would only cost me 4.99 and if I don't get on with it I could sell it.

I have a steamer and use that to cook the gammon at the moment and have even cooked chickens in them as well. And the meat is tender and moist.


Yours


Calley

Edinburghlass_2

I have the Argos one, its takes a mid/small chicken too