Ham in slow cooker

[lavendersun]

We are out all day today and I have a piece of ham in the fridge, small, just over 1kg. I rarely use my slow cooker so I am a bit clueless on cooking in it. I don't really like slow cooker food much tbh but need it today.

I think I have got some dry cider. If I use that can someone tell me how much I use (probably 500ml bottle) and what temperature setting I need to use. We will be out from 9.30 until about 5.30.

Thanks.

[Tipsykisses]

I've not cooked a ham in mine yet but all other joints go in on low for that length of time .

I'd put the whole bottle of cider in & also a few peppercorns & Bay leaf , maybe some chunks of onion.

I'm sure it will be delicious !

[lavendersun]

Thank you, I will dust off the slow cooker (literally).

I know that we will be starving when we get home. I am planning on serving it with cannellini bean and parmesan mash and spinach, all of which takes about 10 minutes from start to finish!

[WhispersOfWickedness]

I don't think you need the whole bottle, we do ours in brown sugar, nothing else, so the only liquid is when that has melted. Liquid can't escape from a slow cooker, so you shouldn't have anything boil dry. I would put it on low though.

[blackteaplease]

I don't think it will need a long time. I find that gammon gets overlooked if you leave it for more than 5 hours in the slow cooker. That doesn't really help you for today's meal though.

[lavendersun]

Right, it is in there with an onion with a few cloves in it, half a dozen juniper berries and a bay leaf with half a bottle of cider which is about 250ml.

Are you meant to start slow cookers on high and then turn them down when everything is hot or do I just start on low?

I really hope it is nice (and not overcooked blacktea) - my butcher had only just taken the ham out of the smoker and cut this piece from a massive joint for me - it is always delicious just roasted.

[blackteaplease]

I would just use the low setting. It will be lovely. Enjoy your dinner later.

[lavendersun]

Thanks everyone - I will report back later!

[lavendersun]

Reporting in ... the ham was ok, perfectly edible, not overdone and definitely not 'eatable with a spoon' which was my biggest worry. I don't want to eat with a spoon just yet!

I do prefer it roasted though but it was perfect for today. Would I do it again? Yes in the same circumstances but I would prefer my normal ham if I had the time.

So, my three year old slow cooker (it was a gift from my parents who use theirs a lot) has now been used five times!