I want to buy a slow cooker

[jimmyjammys]

Can anyone recommend one? Have never owned one - think I would like one with a timer so it's all ready when I get back from work. Read a thread here about doing a whole chicken in one as well so would like one big enough to do that and other roasts. Don't want a combo thing just a straightforward slow cooker.

[Flibbertyjibbet]

I have got one. its only about 1.5 litres so it only fits something like a couple of slices of braising steak and some onions in - to feed the 4 of us.
I used to have one of the massive slow cookers that can fit a whole chicken but got rid of it. If you do anything else, the base is so big that you need to put lots and lots of food in with lots of liquid. You don't need a timer, its a slow cooker. I put stuff in it at night, put in fridge, get it out and switch on in the morning on low, and switch off when I get home. Potatoes, rice and pasta don't do at all well in them, so you still need to do veg or rice.
If I had much more kitchen cupboard space I might get a chicken sized one and a 'tub' shaped one. I am prob going to upgrade ours to a 3 litre tub shaped one soon.
They are fab though, I stuff a half shoulder of lamb into mine at midnight on a saturday and its devine by sunday lunch!

[jimmyjammys]

thanks, that's very helpful - the lamb shoulder sounds lovely, bet it was melting and falling apart!

[AnybodyHomeMcFly]

Thanks both, I am looking to buy a slow cooker too as cheap to run (and hopefully nice for winter warmers). Also did u hear that Frugal Food is being reissued? Sign of the times...