slow cookers

[dylsmum1998]

i want to get one of these,
a)can anyone recomend one
b) what do you cook in it
c)can you cook 2 things at once e.g. a meat dish and some rice

thanks

[uberalice]

I'm watching with interest as I've been thinking of getting one too. This one is getting great reviews on Amazon and is quite cheap.

I've just ordered some recipe books from the library to have a look at before I finally make my choice.

I think you have to add stuff like rice later on in the cooking to stop it getting too mushy.

[dylsmum1998]

wow thats a great price.
i had wondered that about the rice
isaw one that said its a 4 in one does
rice etc as well in debenhams it was a tefal one and £50. if i can help it don't want to spend that much but dont want to get a cheaper one only to find it doesnt do what i want it to!

[shinyshoes]

I have a Worral Thomson one. It's very good, got it from Argos It's really good, with 3 heat settings, low, high, auto.

You also need to decide how big you want it, there are lots of different sized ones.

Low is what I use frequently, I put all my ingredients in about 9.00am and come in about 6.00pm to a wonerfully smelling meal.

High is like a 11.00am -5.00pm kinda time line, quicker cooking than an all dayer.

Auto, it will (I think) cooks slowly, then a little bit quicker, then slower and maintain a temperature.

Like I say it's a good send in the winter, I bung everything in (I don't brown off in the frying pan first), take kids to school, go to work, come home around 6.00 and it's loverly.

All sorts can be cooked in it.
I shove, chicken, potatoes, carrots, onion, herbs, a little water (isn't essential in my one), done.

here's a great thread with loads of recipes in it.

forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=4273

[dylsmum1998]

thats great shinyshoes, exactly the kind of plan i had for using one. i'm going to be out the house from 8 til6, 3 days aweek, in a few weeks, and dont wanna give up cooking meals like i normaly do. just thought with one of these i can do as you described.
can you do the meat dish seperately from rice/potatos whatever as my fussy dc like those plain

[ivykaty44]

A slow cooker is good for cooking cheap cuts of meat - as the slow cooking cooks the meat so it is tender and tasty. I use mine in the winter for cooking stew/casserole and will start the pot of on a Monday or tuesday morning and eat in the evening. I cook rice in a pan on the side when i come in from work or I slice potatoes and add to the pot so that it an all in one pot meal. On Tuesdau eve I will add more food and then wednesday the same and finish thursday evening.

Eating the same dish for two or three days may not be exciting but it saves money and washing up

Some beef cuts and pork cuts are good when cooked slow, ask your butcher. Then add vegtables that you like or have left lurcking in the fridge and tomatos, paste or make a curry and add things

[dylsmum1998]

this is the one i was looking at here but reading the reveiews you cant do what i want and cook rice seperate, maybe i'd be better with a rice cooker and a slowcooker, which means i could get a cheaper one. there only me and my 2 dc so dont need a huge one

[dylsmum1998]

thanks ivykate. that sounds good, guess i'm thinking of getting up going out and comng home to dinner on table much longer is it to wait for rice etc to cook. (can you tell i'm impatient )

[uberalice]

Sorry for the hijack but I have a question. We're mostly veggie. Is there any point in having a slow cooker if I'm not intending to cook meat in it?

[ivykaty44]

I boil kettle as I walk in the door, then put away handbag... then put saucepan on stove and pour in one ikea beaker full of brown rice - pour over two beakers of boiling water from kettle and bring back to boil and put lid on kettle - set timer for 25 minutes. Using rest of hot water in kettle make a coffee and sit on mumsnet until timer pings to let me know rice is cooked

Serve dinner.

Or Put sliced potatos in bottom of slow cooker and casserole meat etc on top - this way avoids using mumsnet whilst waiting for rice to cook

[ivykaty44]

A rice cooker will still take time from when you get home from work.

A much quicker option is to substitute couscous for the rice. Couscous only takes 5 minutes to make from when the kettle boils and is a lighter option some nights rather than the rice.

[shinyshoes]

Like other say the rice will have to be cooked seperately, but the potatoes can be added in with the meat.

I know its not ideal but the 'rice in 5' normally on a BOGOF from Icelands can be used when eating meals that require rice.

Not cheap (79p for 2 I think) but if it's not a daily thing it's quick and easy.

What about batch cooking mashed potato? I do this and when I go to work I take it out of the freezer, leave it on the side to defrost, when I come home, a splash of milk, a dollop of butter 6 mins in the micro and it's done.

[dylsmum1998]

both good ideas thankyou.
i think i'm sold on the idea of buying one now.