Buying a slow cooker (which? & why?)

Alfietinker

Oooh, now I am really tempted by this

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4207490.htm

For £8.99 it seems a bargain! But skimming through the thread people seem to recommend an oval shape.

There is then this:
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4227580.htm

But it's over twice the price and I'm not sure it'd be worth it?

I only really can imagine using it for stews/casseroles and maybe something like brisket. Would it really be hard to fit a small piece of brisket in the round shape?

Mind you, for £8.99 I'm willing to just cut my teeth on it and see how I get on.....

Alfietinker

Lucyeff wrote:

Just found this one http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.200-7109.aspx

Would be good to have views on this too as with vouchers I can get it for £13.48.....

tiff

Alfietinker wrote:

Would be good to have views on this too as with vouchers I can get it for £13.48.....

Those are in store at that price too.

I have the Argos one at £8.99 and its in use as we speak. I am really pleased with it although I've read on this forum that someone had problems with theirs. Have had mine about 4 or 5 months now and in use every week. I used to have an oval Morphy Richards one and that was ok but seemed to burn around the sides.

Alfietinker

Thank you! Do you ever cook small joints in yours? I don't think I'd ever cook a chicken etc but I have got some chunky pork loins in the freezer which I thought could be the first things I try. It's only because I read somebody say to get oval rather than round.... What are dimensions of yours?

tiff

I would imagine you could get a join of beef or pork in there but I dont think I've done that, have cooked a nice big piece of gammon which was fine. If you want it more for joints then yes I would say the oval one would be better.

Alfietinker

Well that's sold it then, I'll reserve it and pick it up tonight! I don't plan to cook a lot of joints in it, but if I did want to do the occasional small lump then that's good. Mostly casseroles though.

Thanks a lot - good advice!

tiff

It's definitely worth it for the money. Good luck

Bexstars

Im toying with the idea of buying the £8.99 one from argos too! They have them in stock at my local argos and have £10.00 left from money we got for christmas. I just have a question, if your making a stew and put in your veg ect and leave it for a few hours, are you left with soggy veg like if you was to boil them for too long or are they ok because they have been cooked slow on a low heat? And how often does everyone tend to use theirs?

tiff

No, the veg doesnt go soggy, not in mine anyway. If I'm doing something with green/red peppers in I usually put those in half an hour from the end of cooking because they do go quite soft. Everything else is fine. I use mine probably twice a week in winter.

zacmilly

I have the argos £8.99 cookworks one. Seemed good to start with, have tried three different recipies, it seems to cook unevenly, both rice pudding and sausages "caught" on one side. Otherwise good value for money, however I think I will take it back ( under their 16 day moneyback guarentee).
i may try the russell hobbs "you are what you eat" now £17.48 at my local tesco(and online). This is also oval which I think will be a better shape.