Buying a slow cooker (which? & why?)

hannahO_2

I just read through whole of the thread, took me some days though.

I was going to get a Crockpot saute as you can brown meat in the pot and slow cook it without having to wash another pan BUT glass lid is a must for me as it adds 15-20 mins cooking time should I open the lid to peek in. I also thought about getting the Cookwork 3.5L (£14.69, 200 watts) from Argos and Tesco's own brand one 3.3L (174-207 watts). Especially Tesco one was at £12.97 yesterday but they priced it up to £16.69 today So the winner is MR 3.5L because it's run at 150 watts and I've reading that the lower the wattage the better (saves more money and slower cook). I think MR 3.5L at £19.97 from Tesco isn't that bad considering you can buy spare parts should anything breaks and 24 mths guarantee

Thanks everyone who contributed to this thread. It's been very educational and I'm wondering why I didn't get one sooner.

hannahO_2

I'm in dilemma now

Just found out, I can't collect Tesco Direct products from my local Tesco. They did have the Tesco brand one in stock at the store though. The thing is, when I went to Sainsburys (yes I have been busy!) I found Breville 3.5L for whopping £7.99!!! It's 225 watts though..... So I don't know what to do.

Is it still better to buy MR 3.5L and get 2 years guarantee @£23.49
OR
Go cheap and choose Breville 3.5L @£7.99
OR
Go for Tesco's own brand 3.3L which has slightly lower wattage than Breville @£12.69

cooking-mama

Hannah_10 wrote: »

I
I was also reading the crockpot brand have pots you can take out and use on the hob to fry your onions/meat off, or put in the over (saves buying ovenware). This isn't an essential, but it's certainly really appealling and makes the thing much more convenient.

So at the moment I'm looking at a:
Crockpot 5.7lt Saute Slow Cooker SCV1600BS

It will cost between £55 and £60 (depending on voucher codes, cashback etc). The other alternatives I would be looking at can not be used on the hob etc but are £30-£40. I don't mind paying out, I am happy to save up for something good but is it any good really? Have any of you used this one before?

TIA ~ Hannah

Hannah,I bought this one a couple of weeks ago and i love it....ive been using slow cookers for years,but this is the first one ive bought with a timer..it seems to stop everything having the same stewed in taste,cos the timer automaticaly stops then goes onto keep warm mode for up to 4hrs..I wondered if i would miss the glass lid,but not at all,i think the ceramic lid gives a better seal,But the biggest bonus for me is the fact i can brown the meat on the hob in the crockpot first,less hassle less washing up,and all the flavour stays i n the one pot...I got mine for only £41 from Costco.
Ps,much as i love my slow cooker...its a close contest between that and the pressure cooker!

Slinky

Does anybody subscribe to Which? Can you tell me please which slow cookers they are recommending?

I'm looking for a 3.5 litre one. We had a Crock-Pot, but I opened a cupboard and knocked a bottle of vanilla essence into it just after I'd emptied it, but it was still hot. Ended up knocking a big hole in the pot. I was thinking of just buying a direct replacement and keeping the base in case the new one goes wrong, but then I wondered whether there was a better alternative, as the white pot was looking distinctly less than white.

Thanks in advance.

Chakani

Best Buy Table as follows:

Cuisinart
CSC650U
GBP75.00
77%

Breville
VTP043
GBP30.00
75%

Breville
VTP062
GBP38.00
74%

Morphy Richards
48724
GBP60.00
73%

Morphy Richards
Intellichef 48810
GBP130.00
73%

hannahO_2

My local Sainsbury's is selling 3.5L Breville for £7.99. With £2 off voucher, it was £5.99

andygb

hannahO wrote: »

My local Sainsbury's is selling 3.5L Breville for £7.99. With £2 off voucher, it was £5.99

That is brilliant Hannah. I do not see any difference between one make and another, after all, you simply put the food in there for a few hours and it gets cooked.
We have a Morphy Richards, a Russell Hobbs and a Paul Rankin, and they all get used when we do a curry evening.

zippychick

Hi Slinky

Now you have your answer, I've merged this with the which slow cooker and why thread to help other users

thanks
Zip

chelle

Hello

Am planning to cook in advance.

There are 6 of us, 2 adults, 4 children (ages 6-12 years), what size cooker should I be looking at?

I saw one in T***o today, 6.5L, looked huge, but thought it might be about right.

Are there any features to look for/or even avoid on a slow cooker.

Many thanks

Chelle

chella71

I have a huge Rival Crockpot from Costco, not sure just how big but would imagine its a 6.5 litre.
I always fill it when I cook with it and normally have enough for two or three nights meals, (freezing the excess) and there is only 4 of us.
I do all my Sunday joints in there, winter soups, stews etc.
I love it to bits and wouldn't be without it, but around this time of year as you are moving towards the colder days and darker nights there is nothing better than coming home to a lovely smelling house and a fully cooked meal :j

R x