Tefal 4 in 1 slow cooker

jlwhite

I bought a 4 in 1 Tefal Rice Cooker, steamer, slow cooker & porridge cooker http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tefal-Cooker-Steamer-Poridge-Maker/dp/B000T76URQ and was wondering if anyone could give me some advice. I've tried looking through the slow cooker thread but haven't found the answers I was looking for.

Can I put the food straight into the slow cooker without browning the meat as I don't want go to work in the morning smelling of food after cooking meat / onions etc. I have read that it improves the flavour of the dish but how much of a difference does it make?

There are four settings on the Tefal (rice cook, slow cook, porridge, steam) and an automatic keep warm function. I have read about cooking on low or high, does anyone know what these settings correspond to (i,e, would rice cooking be considered high and could I use this for browning the meat before putting the liquid in).

Sorry if these questions have been asked before but I couldn't find them.

elona

I don't brown the meat but have only once done rice in the slow cooker and it turned into stodge!:eek:

jlwhite

I did rice in it yesterday and it turned out great but it does have a specific rice cooking setting.

jlwhite

I'm just trying browning some sausages on the porridge cooking setting (it cooks porridge in about 10 minutes so it must get hot quicker than the slow cooker) but I'm a bit scared in case something happens! I just openind the lid and they are going brown. Just read in the instruction manual ''do not leave the appliance unattended whilst in use''!! kind of defeats the object of a slow cooker really!

squeaky

Hiya, most of your answers should be here...

The Complete Slow Cooker Collection

Browning first is optional, some people say it makes a difference and others (like me ) can't tell.

I very much doubt that you can use the rice setting to brown your meat. You need sizzling fat temperatures to do that and not water (nearly) boiling ones.

lainz

I have the same cooker - I just bung everything in close the lid and pick my times for cooking. I don't think there is an option like there is for slow cookers for low/ high etc. Everything I've cooked in it using the slow cooker setting has been yum ( and it hasn't blown the house up when I was out!)