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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...to think there’s nothing that a slow cooker does better?

323 replies

Bebepoor · 04/01/2018 09:54

Cheaper running costs maybe. More convenient with timer etc, granted. But not better tasting than the traditional way of simmering for hours on hob or sitting in low oven.

OP posts:
blaukop · 05/01/2018 19:16

Great for pulled pork. Much cheaper to run in terms of power, than in the oven or on the hob. Brown the meat of first, to seal in the juices, thus avoiding the dreaded soggy results!

Sara107 · 05/01/2018 19:17

Reading with interest. I got one with the intention of having tasty meals ready when we come home, but so far I haven't had any wild successes. Lasagne was awful. I did a tandoori spiced chicken the other day - marinade in the spices, brown the chicken all over and then slowcooker. But when I came to brown the chicken the spice mix started to burn so it wasn't well browned. I was a bit disappointed with the flavour (unexciting) given there were 5 table spoons of spice and two limes in there!

mrsnoname · 05/01/2018 19:36

You're missing the point, which is to do with the fact that you pack your slow cooker, leave the house and come home to a lovely hot meal Wink!

mrsnoname · 05/01/2018 19:38

How do you make lasagne in a slow cooker???

JustAnIdiot · 05/01/2018 19:42

Exactly mrsnoname - it's as if someone else has done the cooking Smile

purplebunny2012 · 05/01/2018 20:41

We got rid of the slow cooker after using it the sum total of once. We use a pressure cooker now

3out · 05/01/2018 20:41

I don’t think we’ve ever had a disappointing meal with our SC! Lovely texture, deep flavour, convenient. Our SC is huge, so meals made in it always last 2-3 days.

jarhead123 · 05/01/2018 21:28

I love mine. It cooks beef so it's all lovely and tender

SherbrookeFosterer · 05/01/2018 22:46

Curries, beef, lamb, goat meat, apart from that they are best used as plant pots.

ginghamstarfish · 05/01/2018 23:27

Ooh, I love mine, for curries,chili, gammon with lentil soup, pork,lasagne, and have a smaller one for rice pudding and bread and butter pudding. All done from scratch, healthy and delicious! Agree that it takes time to get used to a different way of cooking but I think worth it.

niccyb · 05/01/2018 23:32

I do slow cooked pulled pork in mine, roast lamb and beef brisket. I always finish the cooking for the last 20-30 minutes in the oven to crisp up. Tastes great and the meat falls apart and is really tender

RidingWindhorses · 05/01/2018 23:37

To the person who asked I've done beef Stroganoff in the slow cooker, it was better in the pressure cooker - the organical recipe was designed for high quality beef cooked quickly.

TheSmallClangerWhistlesAgain · 05/01/2018 23:37

I like fast cooking. I'd rather spend ten minutes prepping some bits and pieces and then chucking them in a pan after work than chopping veg before I leave. Plus, that style of cooking just suits my tastebuds better.

My dad -threatened- offered to give me a slow cooker a few years ago. I never eat casserole-type dishes and DH is pescatarian, so I have no idea why he thought I'd like one.

RidingWindhorses · 05/01/2018 23:41

^^ Original not organical

franktheskank · 05/01/2018 23:45

I think people who can't cook from scratch or like shit food (like those who mentioned they use frozen veg and packs of casserole mix Confusedor jars of ready made sauce) like slow cookers.

I think once you can cook nice fresh food any of the ready made sauces,packet mixes taste rubbish however they're cooked.

Meowstro · 05/01/2018 23:56

If you like hot water with bits in it then, sure, slow cookers are fantastic. I know people who use slow cookers religiously and everything tastes the same, my cat eats cat soup pouches better than that.

sashh · 06/01/2018 01:09

Was planning to cook a beef stroganof in slow cooker, does anyone know if this is a good idea or would it be better done in the oven?

That's a bit of a marmite question.

I think people who can't cook from scratch or like shit food (like those who mentioned they use frozen veg and packs of casserole mix confusedor jars of ready made sauce) like slow cookers.

I can cook. Not as much now due to disability but I know HOW to cook. Do I use jars? Occasionally, the recipe I gave upthread had a tin of kidney beans and passatta in it. I probably can make passatta but, well I don't think it is worth the hassle and I'm sure the tomatoes in the supermarket wouldn't work well.

PyongyangKipperbang · 06/01/2018 02:00

I think people who can't cook from scratch or like shit food (like those who mentioned they use frozen veg and packs of casserole mix confusedor jars of ready made sauce) like slow cookers.

Wrong

People who like SCs are the people prepared to learn how to use them properly. Just as I once learned how to use a hob and an oven, I learned how to use a SC. If you cant or wont learn how to use it then fair enough, but dont assume that those of use that use them are happy to eat badly cooked crap because you couldnt be more wrong!

My SC has never seen a jar or packet in it's very long life.

PyongyangKipperbang · 06/01/2018 02:02

Oh and frozen vegetables make good soup and are often fresher than so called "fresh" veg. So maybe ease up on the smug a bit, yeah?

abitoflight · 06/01/2018 02:12

Can't see stroganoff in SC - that's a fast meal imo
I don't do casseroles in SC but do joints for easy roasts when working all day and juices for gravy. No water added I just put in lamb leg or pork shoulder or brisket or gammon and home to lovely smell and comforting dinner

FrivolouslyFancifulFannie · 06/01/2018 02:58

i never do savory stuff in mine, prefer stuff done in the oven or on the hob but i have done loads of sweet stuff in it which has turned out great.