So I'm finally going to buy a slow cooker...recommendations?

[Highlove]

Just that. What do you wise people recommend? What do I need to know?

Thanks

[Fluffycloudland77]

Just a basic one is fine, Mine are all cheapos but cook well and go in the dw.

Size is more important, 3.5l is ok for couples or people with one dc but 6.5 is better for bigger families.

[Battleshiphips2]

Mine was £20 from very and is huge and brilliant. I only had a small one before that (£10 cheap one from asda,still great though) but this big one is fantastic. I think it's swan or something like that. I make things like stews and casseroles with dumplings, curries, pasta bakes, the list is endless. Well worth buying one.

[Fluffycloudland77]

It's pretty basic tech when you think about it, just a metal covered heating element with a ceramic bowl and lid.

[Roygrace]

Mine is Anthony Wirral Thompson and has lasted 11 years

[LBOCS2]

If you can stretch to it, have a look at the one which you can brown off things on the hob then put straight in. Saves on washing up :D

[Fluffycloudland77]

I never brown anything. I cant tell the difference either.

[Battleshiphips2]

The only thing I have ever browned off is sausage, everything else just gets chucked in. Never had a problem and it's always delicious.

[RomComPhooey]

My tip is to think about what you want to cook in it. I use mine to steam Christmas puddings (make for the whole family in batches) and the lid only fits over a 2lb pudding basin on my very large slow cooker, despite the small one being plenty wide enough - it's just not tall enough. When the little one goes, I will replace with a larger one.

[Wolfiefan]

I have a big Morphy Richards one. 6.5L. It has low, medium and high settings.
I'd like a sear and stew though!

[LabradorMama]

I recently bought a sear and stew after leaving DP and having to leave him my beloved Aga. I figured that I could use it same as I would the Aga - bring everything to the boil in one pan before chucking it in the simmering oven/slow cooker.

I'm really pleased with it. Not so much for browning (unless it's sausages as per a PP) but I MUST soften onions before slow cooking. I can't abide a crunchy onion! Plus I never cook anything for a full day so I like to bring it up to temp before slow cooking - I realise this defeats the object for people who are out at work all day.

It's also got three heat levels - low/med/high which I like. The pan is really lightweight (important for me as I have physical problems which mean I struggle to lift) and best of all it's non stick so no more soaking off crusted on sauces! It was pricey, about £50 from Tesco but overall I'm happy with it. I use it for chilli, cottage pie filling, stews, casseroles, curries and I'm going to try to use it more as it uses so little energy

[Fluffycloudland77]

It must've been awful to have to leave an aga behind.

[MisForMumNotMaid]

all in one. I've got one of these. It does lovely rice too.

I've just discovered i can slow cook a pasta sauce then add dried pasta switch it to rice setting and have a hot cooked pasta bake about 45 mins later.

[Ridingthegravytrain]

Make doesn't seem to matter I have a morrisons own and it's great. Get a larger one than you think you will need is my advice

[LabradorMama]

Fluffy It was more of a wrench than leaving exDP. I am missing it so much at the minute for drying washing as well as cooking. But it was bloody enormous and wouldn't fit where I live now - whole downstairs of my house is smaller than my old kitchen

[OpiesOldLady]

I really rate the Argos Cookworks ones. They do just what you need them to and really aren't that expensive.

Once you've invested in one, get yourself onto Slow Cooked Wonders on FB - a great resource for everything slow cooker related.

[CwtchMeQuick]

I have a sear and stew.
Love that I can soften onions and defrost veggie mince etc in it before putting it on to slow cook. Would not be without it now

[fredabear]

Highlove I'm thinking of [http://www.johnlewis.com/crock-pot-saute-slow-cooker/p230498448 this one] but would love to know if anyone already has it and can recommend (or otherwise!)

[fredabear]

Dammit this

[Highlove]

Oooh this is brilliant, thanks very much. I've gone for a 6.5l sear and stew. Am actually quite excited about its arrival!

Any good recipe book recommendations to go with it?

[IsaBisaBuildsaBoat]

freda I had a Crock pot Saute. It was good. I did crack the main pot by running it under cold water while it was warm, so had to replace that, and then broke the lid and had to replace that. And then the electric base died a few months ago after maybe 5 years intermittent use.

I prob will get a cheaper one that I hopefully won't break.

[IHeartIona]

seconding Slow Cooked Wonders on Facebook - they have tonnes of recipes and loads of helpful people.