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?

You're absolute right and I normally wouldn't do anything extra...I only pressure-cooked the brisket as it was a large joint/bit of meat, and I realised after posting here that I stupidly set the slow cooker to low overnight!! Just did 20mins pressure cooking for it and it was fine, didn't bother searing it either as it looked fine. I use the IP (so just a case of switching the mode), so no extra faff or washing up. I've done pot roast type meals before (i.e. whole chicken or joint of meat and it has cooked perfectly.

I've got work the next three days (long shifts) so I've put in a dump meal just now...the Taming Twins recipe for chilli con carne, so will see how that goes :) I'll divvy everything up into portions later.

Add half the almond of liquid, double the seasoning and if it's two wet take the lid off and give it half an hour on high. You can also add cornflour to thicken.

I am a slow cooker advocate 😁

But then what I doesn't meet the convenience of normal slow cooker use - i.e. bung it all in at the start of the day and leave it.

I tend to stage the ingredients through the day depending on what they are - veg much later than meat, etc. And I take the lid off to vent excess moisture for a good hour at the end.

But I use it when WFH, so have the luxury of slowly fiddling through the day.

Pretty much the only thing that comes out really nice in the slow cooker are stews with cheaper cuts of meat like chicken thighs or lamb neck.
I've also had reasonable success with whole chicken (not for roast though more to eat with rice and salad).
Curry usually comes out ok.
I use mine for soup too, just chuck everything in then blend it when it's done.

I take all insta slow cooker recipes with a pinch of salt, pretty much everything tastes better not cooked in a slow cooker.
It's just so convenient at times it's worth it for a "nice" rather than "delicious" meal!
Also cheaper than having the oven on for hours.

Update....the Taming Twins chilli con carne recipe turned out beautifully. I didn't have garlic granules, so subbed in a couple of cloves of crushed garlic. I've not used that recipe before, so it was good to try out :)

@TicTac80 your post inspired me to make this chilli today. Fingers crossed for a good result as it is definitely the weather for chilli!

@TicTac80 the chilli was amazing. Thank you for inspiring me and so easy to make too!

Oh that’s great @Etoile12345! I had not tried the recipe before either, and it came out great. I set my IP to low temp on slow cooker mode and left it for the time stated, plus an extra two hours as I had to head out to a school thing.

I think my next recipe to look for/try out would be a savoury mince recipe (would be good to make that as a base for a cottage pie).

I'm relieved to see that someone else is actually happy with their slow cooker too. I made the taming twins chilli a couple of times already and it always comes out great. The honey garlic beef is fab as well. Made it this week and couldn't stop eating it... I just got an air fryer so next week will be trying her air fryer recipes for the first time 🤞🏻