Buying a slow cooker (which? & why?)

Bexstars

thanks think I might invest in one, will have a look at the russell hubbs ones too

zacmilly

Have posted this elsewhere but thought it may be useful here too:


Have decided to take the tesco Russell Hobbs "you are what you eat" one back ( not big enough for all 6 of us for big casserole (at £17.xx couldn't justify it)and for small meals stick with the cheap Argos £8.99 (exchanged the one that cooked unevenly)- I had a £5 gift card to use up so only cost me £3.99! Decided to take out the insurance as well, don't usually do this but it was only £1.49 and means it is guarenteed against everything (including being dropped!) for 3 years- seemed a bargin at £1.49 and sometimes cheap non branded goods aren't as reliable.
I also now have the Morphy Richards 6.5l one for big family meals/ cooking for the freezer days (bought it with Christmas money)- excellent! Hope I have now covered all eventualities!! My OH will think I have gone mad if anymore slow cookers appear!!

I am trying a jar of tesco H/L korma sauce with some turkey breast steak padded out with some onion, pepper, mushrooms and pineapple chunks- not sure if it will work but worth a try- will let you know.....!

Catmeister

Hi - apologies I'm sure this is posted elsewhere but have looked and looked...

Are slow cookers economical? Would love to get one as I'm out 13 hours a day (would also get with a timer switch so it doesn't cook away to nothing!) but wondering about the cost of having sc on for 8 hours as opposed to the oven for 1/2 - 1hr?

annie-c

Catmeister wrote:

Hi - apologies I'm sure this is posted elsewhere but have looked and looked...

Are slow cookers economical? Would love to get one as I'm out 13 hours a day (would also get with a timer switch so it doesn't cook away to nothing!) but wondering about the cost of having sc on for 8 hours as opposed to the oven for 1/2 - 1hr?

Yes they are - they have a very weak element and use a tiny amount of electricity to produce heat which is directed only at the casserole pot with a space of 3-6litres. an oven on the other hand generates heat to fill a space of 1-2 cubic metres. (sorry for mixing my units of measurement but you get the idea...)

pudding06

has anyone bought the breville 4.3ltr one? I bought it at the weekend but cant find what watts it uses - if you catch my drift.

It was 19.99 and has a low, high and auto programme. I woundered how economical it will be - ie do I put it on high for 3-4hrs or low for 6 - 8 hours.

actually that might depend on whether I have to go to work tomorrow or not - lol.

if anyone has one canyou tell me whether its any good or not? and which setting to use for beef in red wine tomorrow. does it start to catch etc.

pudds

prettypennies

I've saved up enough Nectar points at last and have been out and bought the 6.5L Morphy Richards Slow Cooker.

I would like to use to make dinner tomorrow. I have a kilo of stewing steak and plenty of different veggies, spices and stuff.

What would be a good recipe to start with that won't take too much prepping in the morning?

How much can I prepare ahead tonight?

squeaky

Take a look here and pick yourself a recipe that looks easy to you:-

The Complete Slow Cooker Collection

You can prepare your veggies and thing this evening and keep them in the fridge overnight.

While browning the meat before putting it in the pot is recommended, many users just bung it in as is and don't notice any lack of quality in the finished meal.

HTH

prettypennies

Thanks. I would normally brown meat before making a stew, but didn't fancy have to do it at half six in the morning before work. I reckon I'll just risk bunging it in.

I am thinking of putting in:

steak
onions
carrots
beetroot
red wine
stock
marmite
mushrooms
rosemary

I have some of the chantenay baby style carrots. Will they cook ok whole or will I need to dice them up?

squeaky

Root veggies, and include potatoes are best chopped fairly small (ish) because they take longer to cook than other vegetables.

Ebany

Is it normal for my slow cooker lid to allow bubbles out now and again? I have noticed it doesn't seem to sit quite right and I have to spin it and tap it to check it doesn't rock, but even when it is sitting flat I hear it rattle just now and again as a bubble escapes. I've also noticed that my SC always ends up sitting in a small puddle of water, which I am sure can't be normal!

Anyone got any suggestions, or do I need a new one? Its only about 4 years old or so I think, and barely used until recently, but it was just a cheap argos one.