Buying a slow cooker (which? & why?)

Somnium

After much trawling through all the threads dedicated to Slow Cookers here at MSE I have decided to go out and buy a slow cooker tomorrow and am really quite excited. Thanks to all the peeps here for the advice I'm now pretty confident of wich one I want to get. I spent ages weighing up size, settings, colours and reading reviews! I went for a browse around Tesco and Currys today, just so I could get an idea of look and feel for them (had toyed with getting a 6.5L but there is no way it would fit in my kitchen with out causing mayhem hehe). As today was pay day and I got a tad more than I expected this seems a good use for my money. Have decided to go for the Morphy Richards 3.5L (black) from Argos as its reduced to 19.56 and havent seen one near that price (except for the white one at 17.50 at tesco which a) would stain and b) wont go with my kitchen). There are only two of us in the house atm but are hoping to expend the family so this should do us for a while

So any recommendations for my first dish?

henm01

I got one too and it is bubbly away as I type.

WHSmiths had a slow cooker recipe book reduced to £4.99. It gives you lots of great hints and tips. I started following a recipe then realised I didn't have half the ingredients so threw various items in. I smelt lovely as I left the house this morning.

Thoroughly recommend the book was £10 now £4.99.

Patchwork_Quilt

lindos90 wrote: »

Car25, thats just what ive come on here to search for too!!

Up to now ive only been able to confirm that some of the 'crockpot saute' range can be used to fry/seal off meat before cooking, how ever they do seem more expensive, but are a recognisable name.

I would much prefer to brown my meat in the pot rather than use a frying pan. Also ive heard it gives the meat a much better flavour to fry it first, and then when you put the slow cooker on, the pot is already hot and cooking starts sooner as it gets to temperature quicker.

Im wanting to know if its only the crock pot 'saute' range that allows you to fry in the pot, or if others do.

Another tip Ive seen is to get a brown or black pot, as the white ones discolour more easily.

Can anyone advise myself and Car?

Thanks

Its definitely better to have a black or brown pot. Mine was pale grey to start with and now has a faint tomato-coloured haze.

I have to confess that I never brown anything before I cook it. I don't have time in the morning and it tastes nice anyway so I don't bother.

Somnium

henm01 wrote: »

I got one too and it is bubbly away as I type.

WHSmiths had a slow cooker recipe book reduced to £4.99. It gives you lots of great hints and tips. I started following a recipe then realised I didn't have half the ingredients so threw various items in. I smelt lovely as I left the house this morning.

Thoroughly recommend the book was £10 now £4.99.

Whats the name of the book? I have some vouchers from Xmas and this might be just the thing to use them on

sb44

I have just seen these on the Tesco site.

It doesn't say in the details but how does this work, are there two places to put your food, the silver bit at the bottom and the crock pot at the top? Must be being a bit thick this morning as I can't figure out how it works.

:rolleyes:

http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.100-6223.aspx

nodwah

I would think the silver bit's just the heater and you put food in the top crock pot - it looks like those soup pots they have in motorway service stations!

wadia860

sb44 wrote: »

I have just seen these on the Tesco site.

It doesn't say in the details but how does this work, are there two places to put your food, the silver bit at the bottom and the crock pot at the top? Must be being a bit thick this morning as I can't figure out how it works.

:rolleyes:

http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.100-6223.aspx

The top part is where your food goes, the bottom is the heater part. The top can be used on a hob as it is stoneware. Not sure about delivery etc, but it's £29 from Marshall Ward if you have an account?

It only has 2 heat settings though. I think I'm plumping for a branded 'cheapie'. I really do not have the space for that and I'd want to display it!! Black Morphy Richards £20 quid Argos job for me.

lauzjp

I have to say, to everyone who doesn't like the idea of a white slow cooker - I've used ours loads since we got it (a whopping 18 days ago - must've used it at least ten times!), of course it gets a little splattering, but nothing a little bit of damp kitchen towel and elbow grease won't shift!

richardw

I fancy this one http://www.amazon.co.uk/Morphy-Richards-48721-Cooker-Black/dp/B0010YPB2M/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

£19.59 at argos

Seems to be a popular brand, any disadvantages?

fizzel81

i have the morphu ricahrds one in your link

works very well for me, only difference is mine is red

i love slow cookers so there is nothing i can note as a disadvantage for it, this and my remoska will be the main cooking forms of any meals i make