Slow cooker disasters

[Yumchips]

So everytime I use a slow cooker the meal is a disappointment. I've used two different slow cookers in my life and neither results have been impressive. I've been following some food people on Instagram who have released books etc on slow cooking recipes. All seems very practical and easy with their tried and tested good ideas, seems a win win scenario. I measure and follow the recipes with almost scientific precision. Yet the end result is always a disappointment. Is it just me? I'm giving up slow cooking for life now but I want to know. Am I the problem?

No just you. Have even sealed the meat separately beforehand but it still tastes awful. I think people's taste buds either detect the horror or they don't. I wish my tastebuds complied.

Slow cooker garlic bread quiche was a real low in this household.

The taming twins website has some nice slow cooker recipes on it

Thank you for your responses. I feel such a slow cooking failure. I think it's because It seems like it's going to make my life so much better if I can just crack it but it just doesn't happen when I try. I am also sealing the meat in a pan beforehand. Who are these people who are RAVING about these slow cooking recipes! I wish I could do a side by side taste testing of when I make a slow cooker meal vs. what other people are making and ENJOYING. could it possibly be the same meal? Sorry I think I'm just feeling bitter after my efforts this week!

I made a disastrous curry in mine years ago and haven't touched the bloody thing since. Such a waste of food, and I'm a pretty good cook usually! Often throw things together and have had some things maybe not be quite as nice as I wanted but nothing inedible like that was!

I don’t use my slow cooker often (mostly use the rice function), but wanted something easy last weekend instead of a roast.

Came across this: www.tamingtwins.com/slow-cooker-chicken-casserole-recipe/ and made it, and the whole family loved it.

I haven’t tried any other recipes off the site but am planning to do the honey soy garlic chicken tomorrow.

My memories of slow cookers is quite traditional casseroles (my mum used to make one with tinned soup which I hated!), but I’m interested in trying it for different styles of dishes. If I don’t like it I’ll at least still have a rice cooker which I wouldn’t be without!

I've never made anything edible in one either. It all tastes of slow cooker.

All watery and yuck. Or they taste of cornflour and are gloopy because they’ve been thickened at the end.

Pressure cooker is the way to go.

Taming Twins & Bored of lunch on instagram will sort you out

My casseroles in there are always a bit bland - I don't see the attraction and just not as nice as one's done in an oven. I use mine as something to keep food warm for parties.,

I find the food is often quite flavourless. Slow cooking in a normal oven seems to really intensify flavours in a way the slow cooker does not.

However it does do some things well. I cook gammon in mine occasionally and that works really well

I’m a good cook and have never made anything nice in a slow cooker. Like you say, the gap between what the recipe promised, how it looks in the photo, and how it’s described and how it eventually turns out is just huge! I don’t know if I had a rubbish slow cooker or what but everything was bland and watery even when I followed the instructions faithfully. And sort of tasted both overcooked and undercooked at the same time. Nothing like when it was oven cooked or when I use my Instant Pot.

Thanks for all the responses! I don't want to state which recipes I have made this week as I don't want to damage any brands reputation. I have been following the recipes/slow cooker cooking experts that get raves about on Mumsnet! I really did my research with what is popular and well received on here. I generally trust Mumsnet advice when it comes to a lot of things so that's why I've been left stumped this week!

And don't try the slow cooker caramelised onions, the bolognese was a complete disaster and the curry...omg. Nuff said...I withdrew graciously and ordered take away.

Sorry a typo Not just you!

I agree with the above poster who said pressure cooker is best . It has never let me down!

It's a relief to hear it's not just me! I did 5 recipes this week but I am done now. Back to pressure cooking I think.

My kids are still traumatised by slow cooker macaroni cheese!

They're alright for stew or casserole. Anything else nope.

Have never quite gotten over the awfulness of the grey-glue once served by a relative who claimed it was "slow cooker mushroom risotto".

Tastes of slow cooker

This is what I say.

Very little I ever do has a distinguishable taste of a meal.

However everyone else, including my mum seemed to make good stuff (and she cant cook whereas I can)

So I limited what I use the slow cooker for, slow cooking chicken thighs on their own to freeze for recipes, slow cooking down stewed apples for breakfasts, slow cooking salmon fillets (succulent) obviously not very long!

But actual stews and curries or casseroles, no.

Oxtail possibly although Ive done it 3 times so far in the oven because I had other things with it but I may well try that.

I do think people have widely varying ideas of what constitutes a delicious meal. Which makes it hard to judge from just recommendations to be fair.

@Blowyourbeans I knew exactly who it was going to be by your description horribly aggressive little man.

I made lasagne in the slow cooker once, it got renamed lasagne soup and I have never been allowed to forget it. I now only use it for stews, bolognese and chilli oh and the occasional joint of brisket.

I use mine once a week when we are all eating at different times due to after school activities. Of late I've been using it for jacket potatoes. The skin doesn't crisp up but the flesh cooks nicely, and what's good about it is that each person can take their foil wrapped spud from the SC when they're ready to eat, and the others stay warm etc. I'm not pretending it is earth changing but it is quite handy 😆

@soupfiend the slow cooked apples sound interesting 🤔 🤔 can I ask how you do this pls? Haha after swearing off slow cooking i can't believe I'm even asking this!