Buying a slow cooker (which? & why?)

randomguy_3

Hey there,

Am really tempted to get one of these as can never be bothered to cook after work anymore! (as only me )

Just wondering tho if it is possible to cook rice in one? Can you put it in with say a curry, as i like it all mixed in anyway or would that scuff you get when you cook it in a pan ruin it? or would one of those split ones like mentioned above be better? would it be ok cooking the rice all day or would you add that later? or would you have to cook seperately?

Sorry for all the q's but will be much appreciated! :beer:

tiff

I dont think rice turns out great in a slow cooker, I made a chilli once and threw in the rice but it goes a bit stodgy.

I used to have a big MR one but it died on me so just got the Argos Cookworks one for £8.99 this weekend.

saving-grace

brummiebird443 wrote:

After reading all the brilliant threads on here, i've done it, i've got myself a slow cooker. I sent hubby out to get the 3.5 Morphy richards but in his nfinite wisdom he's come back with the 4.5 Anthony worrell thonmpson one. I just wanted to know if any of u guys have got this one, Should i take it back and swop it for the morphy richards one????

I've got the Antony Worrall Thompson one, made by Breville. I got it at the beginning of the year and I've been very pleased with it. I chose this one because its "cool-wall" i.e doesn't get too hot on the outside. When I looked at the MR ones in the shops they had tiny stickers on which said something like "Warning will get hot in use"
There are 3-5 of us in family (variable according to time of year!) and I find it an ideal size, plenty big enough but not too big if you see what I mean!

mingbop

my greatest money saver re housekeeping was to buy a crcokpot. I kept reading about them in my american groups , everybody seems to have them --so I got one and googled recipies. Took a wee bit of willpower at first, but now I just need 7 items , either from tescos or the butcher --we live remote so only do the shop once a week and have to get everything in that trip --from bank to post office to library to chemist. Shove the meat & veg in last thing at night & cook on low all night. It also does a brilliant pot of soup or even a rise pud (slurp).

the_optimist

I've seen crockpots advertised in the Lakeland catalogue. To me they look the same as slow cookers. Is there a difference?

Gryfon

I think they're the same. Just look posher some of them

thriftlady_2

Crockpot is the common American term for a slow cooker

Pink.

thriftlady wrote:

Crockpot is the common American term for a slow cooker

A crockpot is what the americans call our slow cookers. Worth remembering if you're searching online for recipes.

mingbop, have you seen our Complete Slow Cooker Collection? There are lots of great recipes for crockpots/slow cookers there.

Pink

mingbop

Oh I'm sorry, I didnt know that was there! thsi site is so big its SCAREY. thanks pet ! x :T

Spirited_2

Although I am at home most of the day, I can have 'good' hours and 'bad' hours and find it difficult to get dinner made on any regular basis at all. Usually my husband ends up putting together something quick and unhealthy when he gets home from work or we end up snacking.

DH had forgotten all about claiming from the incentive schemes at work and had built up some £130 worth of credit. We got £20 in Sainsburys' vouchers which we've put aside for Christmas and a grand £110 of Argos vouchers! Much as we would have loved to splash it out on a panasonic bread maker our old one is still functioning. :rolleyes: We got a slow cooker, a food processor, ironing board (our other one was falling to bits), an airer (no washing line in the new house) and a deep fat fryer (yes, it's unhealthy... but it's not as unwealthy as nipping to the chip shop when we fancy a chippy tea - especially as husband will buy more than chips and not as unsafe and inconvenient as using a saucepan).

Back to the Slow cooker, we got http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4225173.htm one for £11.49

It's great, I had an active hour or so where I was able to clean up the kitchen, reorganise it for the new appliances AND cook dinner! I've never made soup before (that didn't come in a can) so I hope it turns out alright. Put some butter, onions and garlic in the saucepan to fry, chopped up some abandoned veggies added them, some water (couldn't find my stock cubes ), some no-need-to-soak pearl barley and seasonings (salt, pepper, mixed herbs, a little bit fresh ginger) boiled it up, chucked it in the new food processor (don't like big chunks) for a short spin and then into the slow cooker.

What's brilliant as I won't have to worry about dinner for the rest of the day, hubby will have a hot meal (all be it a soggy one) instead of having to cook, was able to do it when I felt good and active (may not later) and it practically just used up stuff that we didn't know what to do with. I'll put some fresh bread on to make it extra special and we've got leftover crumble for desert

Just leaves me to hope that it tastes alright and to convince DH that a liquid can be a main course.

Thanks for introducing me to the slow cooker! I'm going to try all sorts of stews, casseroles and puddings over the winter, and I wonder if in the summer it would be good so that in the evening we don't have a boiling hot kitchen when we want to cool down.