What is the point of slow cookers?

[EachandEveryone]

My neighbour came around to admire it yesterday. It was her that persuaded me to get one, I am a nurse but have stopped nights for now. I batch cook sometimes but I’ve only myself to feed. I really don’t need a slow cooker do I? What does actually taste better in it? And doesn’t it make you living space smell of cooking all day? I’m in a flat and can’t stand it if I smell cooking in my bedroom😃

@Bakedpotatoandgin where do you get your recipes from, those meals sound lovely!

@EachandEveryone

The thing is I am a nurse so I get home at 9pm I wouldn’t dream of eating at that time and also, how safe is it to have it on for 13 hours? I fear I have wasted my money

Ours is 30+years old and in regular use. It uses as much power as a light (so they say) and has often been on for that sort of time.

You will have wasted your money though if you don't want to use it. If you don't want to use it offer it as free to a good home, don't just dump it.

I was a teacher, and found that 13/14 hours made mediocre food revolting.

I've given it charity now, because everything tasted the same (like hospital food 😬).

Browning did make a difference-who wants to eat boiled bolognaise?!

The least horrible things I made in it were ham, and Chinese-inspired ribs.

Non browned meat is revolting.

It really isn't!!!

everything tasted the same

Honestly, you aren't doing it right. You need to add stuff to make it taste nice. My slow cooker lamb curry is to die for.

I like to slow cook but tend to just do it in the oven as for some reason it comes out better.

I find it weird in some of these slow cooker groups on FB that people cook stuff like chicken breast and jarred sauce in them - why?

There’s also a FB group called ‘ UK slow cooker recipes ‘. Well worth a look for ideas.

My DM kept trying to give me her spare one for years and I always said no. I relented and couldn't believe I'd been without one for all this time! It saves so much time and washing up. The prep part is easy, I do it whilst DC is napping. 15 mins tops, then left to cook for 6/7 hours.
I love the cooking smells. My DH and I do all sorts, soups, curries, casseroles. It's a winner.

Insta Pot is the next Holy Grail. Go figure.

I think browning the meat probably makes a difference in some recipes more than others. I made pulled beef for burritos yesterday. It's got loads of tasty stuff in, so loads of flavour. You just plonk the raw meat in the sauce, coat it and cook in a normal low oven for 6 hours. I went out for a couple of hours while it was cooking.

I love ours. Use it to make quick teas such as curry, chilli etc
We use it to make bread too make great bread
Cook whole chicken
Pulled pork
So many things.

Mine has a metal inner pan that's designed to go on the hob to brown meat or onions so you don't need to dirty another pan/

I use mine a lot

I got rid of mine. But when I had a newborn and an 11 month old it was the only way I could make sure we had a hot meal in the evening. I used to buy pre chopped veg and even diced meat and just chuck it all in first thing in the morning and forget about it. But it did make the house smell of food all the time. And everything seems to all taste the same after a while. But that said I'm about to buy another small one for the winter.

Best to try it for the first time when you're home to check on it from time to time. Our Morphy Richards boils everything half to death on low heat, not nearly as good as previous slow cookers we've had. Max 6 hours so it doesn't disintegrate food. Its good to play around with recipes before leaving it unattended as you'll get to know the right amount of liquid to add and how hot it runs on different settings. But yeah in your job I'd maybe batch cook on days off.

Chuck it in in the morning. Come home and it's cooked.

Great for beef stew.

I love mine.
The trick is less fluid than you would normally use. If you find its still too watery put it on high for 30 minutes with the lid off.
Casseroles, stews, chilli, curry, soups are great.
I also have lots of plastic boxes and put individual portions in the freezer.

I love my slow cookers, actually the little one has literally been in constant use lately. I put porridge on warm overnight so breakfast is ready for DC whilst I'm finagling for the 5937th time ds2 to put his trousers on the right way around. Then I wash it and put hot chocolate on just before pick up time which means they can have a warm drink when they come in whilst I dispense with the uneaten lunch and nag them yet again that if they don't eat their salad at lunchtime I'll make then eat it for dinner.

The big one when DP is home can have casserole or lasagne or 100's of other things which means DC and DP can eat at different times with me only making one meal. Ds1 and I made fudge in the slow cooker which was far safer than the normal way.

Hmm what else (I really love my slow cookers) , oooh I use it for extra cooking rooms at Christmas, oh and I freaking love it for making homemade stock. I'm getting a new freezer delivered next week (ordered before we knew about lockdown) and I will finally have enough room to make as much stock as my little heart desires. I couldn't leave the job on for 48 hours but i do with the slow cooker (i am at home almost constantly currently ).

It does make the house smell of cooking though but we actually love that , it feels cosy.

I’m often cooking for just me but I use one, just freeze leftovers in portions for another night. Curries come out lovely I think, as there’s so much time for the flavours to really seep into everything. Also make lasagne and stews. I use mine a lot. The air fryer on the other hand got used once and is relegated to the top of the cupboard grave yard!

Our current fav to bung in first thing is

Pack of nice meatballs (can be fresh or frozen)
Pack of frozen Mediterranean vegetable mix ( I buy Sainsbury's one which has aubergine, courgettes and peppers)
Frozen chopped onion
Squeeze garlic paste/purée
Jar passata
Tin of toms
Knorr rich beef stock pot
Smoked paprika

On low all day makes a delicious thick sauce with meatballs. So good and easy!

Chuck stuff in when you leave in the morning and dinner is ready when you get back. What's not eaten tonight can be frozen for next week.

I particularly like that even the lower quality meat is lovely and tender when slow cooked.

@AgnesNaismith

Lasagne in the slow cooker changed my life!! Sure you have to cook the meat then assemble in the slow cooker. But it means when you get home from a day/night at work it’s just ready to eat rather than having to wait 45 mins for it to cook!!

🤯 Share the recipe please!! Op I won’t ever be without a slow cooker. You just need to optimise the recipe.

My slow cooker turned good food into grey barely edible slop. I got rid of it.

Grey, barely edible slop, bleeeeuuuurgh.

@EachandEveryone

The thing is I am a nurse so I get home at 9pm I wouldn’t dream of eating at that time and also, how safe is it to have it on for 13 hours? I fear I have wasted my money

If you only get home at 9 and don't want to eat at that time, then no, might not be so helpful. But at a practical level, get a smart plug if your slow cooker doesn't have a timer, and just set the smart plug to turn off after however long. Most things I cook can go 10 hours on low so if I was out for 13, I'd set the smart plug to go off after 10 hours. It would be fine sitting on counter slowing cooling down for 3 hours.

The thing about slow cookers for me is that people seem to think it must either transform their lives or its pointless. I like mine and for certain meals and times, it's really useful. But I don't feel I have to use my blender every day to justify its existence, so why should I feel I need to use the slow cooker constantly for it to be helpful? I use mine about 2-3 times a month but am always very glad to have it for those 2-3 times.

The other thing is how are people managing to cook sweet things in it without getting a savoury after taste?