To not really see the point in a slow cooker?

[Hippodisk]

I keep seeing slow cookers recommended on quick or cheap meal threads. I've also noticed that good food mag has started including slow cooker recipes.

How is it any quicker than cooking a casserole in the oven? You still have to chop veg, brown meat etc. Is the appeal that you can leave it on while you're out?

I will say I'm probably biased as I used one years ago to cook a casserole and it was bland and watery, I also cooked a whole chicken and ended up throwing it in the bin it was vile.

So did I try the wrong recipes, are they really that much of a time saver?

Convince me to give it another go

I love my slow cooker can throw things in then get on with my day we stumble in the door and dinner is ready to go

It's also fab for my teen as I can prep leave the bits he bungs it in before collage then he has a home cooked dinner when he gets back
Made chilli for all his mates last week they think he's some sort of cooking wizard

See I can make a lovely casserole in about 15 mins prep time and just chuck it in the oven for 2 hours

But if you're at work all day and your oven doesn't have a timer that's not workable unless you want to eat late.

I am known to love cooking and I have been given three three slow cookers ( one a wedding gift, one from my mum when DS1 was born and a massive double pot one from mates for a significant birthday). Each time I have thought 'okay, let's give this a go' and used them a few times but I hate the way everything in them ends up looking and tasting the same and eventually give them away. They take up way too much storage space as well. I find it much more convenient to prep a meal in a normal casserole dish and put them in the oven on a timer.

4 quick slow cooker vids

I love mine, make curries, lasagne, gammon and pea soup, stew, goulash. Have a smaller one for rice pudding, mulled wine, bread and butter pudding. Always make enough for some to freeze.

Oh can I also recommend porridge nothing like waking to the smell of cinnamon porridge with 3 kids often it's much quicker to have it all ready when we wake

I use my SC for 2 things, brisket which I often cook for 48 hours on low and pulled pork.

I work full time so I have become reliant on the slow cooker and use it about four times a week - I get in the teenage DD and DS are STARVING and voila dinner is served. Last night casserole with extra veg done quickly while I took my coat off and tidied round... this week we have had spaghetti sauce in there, meatballs, chicken and veg served with pasta and garlic bread. We like those kind of meals - rather than chops and potatoes or whatever. Curries always turn out fab, as does chilli. Easy dinner is the key to a stress free life for me. I also did chicken in there and then added it to stir fry veg and noodles when I do got in.

I've had some lovely meals from my slow cooker, you just need to learn how to use it properly.

I have a lot of free time on the morning so I find it easier to do my prep then, then I can relax more on the evening.
I did a great cheat cake the other night. Cheap vicky sponge mix, mixed in lemonade and chucked it in the cooker for a couple of hours. It was so light and delicious 😋

I always read these threads with interest but it doesn't sound like there would be any point in us getting a slow cooker as vegetarians. Sounds like they're good for tender meat but I can't imagine veg. that's been cooked for hours being anything other than mushy and flavourless.

I replaced my giant slow cooker with an instant pot last year and it's been great...the IP even slowcooks, so totally best of both worlds.

for a SC you must season more, and use less liquid, and in spite of any number of people saying it makes no difference I always sweat the veg off properly and brown the meat otherwise there just isn't that back bone of flavour you get in a oven cooked casserole.

See I can make a lovely casserole in about 15 mins prep time and just chuck it in the oven for 2 hours

But if you're at work all day and your oven doesn't have a timer that's not workable unless you want to eat late.

you couldn't leave soup or a curry on the stove a go to work😕

Also it's awsome for party's last year we hired a hall with out a kitchen cheaper but wanted hot but and bobs

Bungee some hot dogs in while the party was in swing the kids loved it

I do a great pulled pork in mine.

I think there's a knack to it. All I know is if you stick a chicken in it it comes out beautifully moist, I can do a wicked chilli in there and I do a slow cooked lamb shoulder at Christmas the your sell your grandma for 🙊

Heirhelp veg stews and soups come out wonderfully. Roots roast very slowly and have a delicious caramelliness to them. Beans need to be boiled for 10 mins first, of course, but can then cook gently in all sorts of stews. Or you can just bung a tin in at the end. Dried lentils can go in at the beginning, as they don't need pre-cooking.

I do a lovely veg curry in mine. It makes the veg all soft which is how I like it.

I use mine for gammon and beef joints. I have no idea why but something terrible happens to beef if I try and cook it in the oven. Is the instant pot really worth the investment? I'm tempted but I don't want to get one and then just have it sit there sulking at me!

This thread has inspired me to dig mine out of the cupboard and give it another go.

Do you have to add water to joints of lamb, beef or pork, if so how much? Or are own juices enough? I only used mine for stews when I first got it, hence ignorance.

Loving the idea of waking up to hot porridge as I can't be bothered in the morning as usually in a rush.

I'm a fan and use mine a couple of times a week some weeks. Good for days when I'll be out all day, or days when I have to do a lot of driving to drop/collect various family members in the gap between school and dinner, or sometimes on the weekend if we want to go out for the day as a family and come home to something ready or nearly ready to eat, instead of starting from scratch and everyone being weak with hunger by the time it's on the table. Use mine for veg and fish meals as well as meat, and occasionally overnight for special breakfasts. Have also done soups and preserves. I have a couple of recipe books but this is my 'go to' one.

I'm umming and arhing whether to take the plunge. I often make casseroles/ spag bol and curries etc.

Generally I them make in 15-30 mins in the morning then put in the oven on timer so they are ready when Dd gets in from school starving. Really useful when I'm on a late shift as dh can just cook some pasta with his limited culinary skills and a home cooked meal is on the table in minutes.

Pros of a slow cooker would be possibly less energy used but anything would need to cook in 8 hours.

Cons everything tasting similar and having to get used to a new method of cooking. I would still want to sauté my veg and brown my meat anyway.

People mention a power cut, yes this would screw the oven timer up but surely it will also turn off the slow cooker.

Is it worth the investment?

I love mine. Coming home to pulled pork with freshly made bread is just the best thing ever in winter months. Even the DCs (who usually shout "what is this abomination?" at my food) love slow-cooker pulled pork and casseroles.

I use mine lots. I don't work. I can prep dinner and put it on to cook once the kids are at school. It makes after school when there's HW and activities to be done MUCH less stressful.

You can get them dead cheap now if you're just wanting to try it out.

I also take mine camping.

I never used mine but now with a newborn it's been a lifesaver. I can just chop and chuck and leave it on. We eat as soon as DH gets in at 7.30 so no faffing needed then.

I have found a great receipe for overnight porridge which dd1 and I can't wait for it to be cold enough to have.

We have 2 as I use one at night for making porridge and another one for making dinner. DH wasn't a huge fan but I tricked him once, making him think the meal had been cooked on the stove, but it was done in the slow cooker.