To ask you to recommend a slow cooker?

[FizzyWizzyFlash]

I've finally decided to give in and get one because I see the benefit however there are just so many!

This will be used to make beef or veg stews mainly.

Any recommendations?

I'm happy to buy whatever lasts a long time and is really good.

My pressure cooker combo is a 'pressure king pro'

When I have used ordinary slow cookers I used to find they boiled everything and it tasted the same. With the slow cooker option in the one above I find it doesn't do that and food tastes much better. With pressure cooking I find you wouldn't notice any difference in taste to slow cooking. It's the one kitchen gadget that still gets used weekly.

Where is the best place to get slow cooker and pressure cooker recipes?

I love.my Instant Pot. I took it to France for five months as the tiny kitchen area in the ski apartment was too small to cook in.
I only used my Instant Pot. Porridge, soup, curries & rice in one go, spag bol all in one, ragus done by slow cooker..... Much more versatile than just a slow cooker. It even makes yogurt too!

Search Facebook for Instant Pot recipes & tips.....

Looked on Amazon at MR slow cookers, they get good reviews but don't have a timer. I'm out for 8 hours - is that too long for a stew?

Oh no! Now I'm going to have to look into getting an instant pot!

In response to the OP, I have the Morphy Richards sizzle and stew, which I use probably twice a week. Went for the metal pot having accidentally broken 2 crockpot inserts. I do 'roast' chicken in it, which tastes great but looks a bit wrong as it's so pale (could finish if off in the oven to brown it I suppose). I've also made jam, curries and chillis and do Gammon in coke about once a fortnight.

You can take out the inner stainless steel pot of an instant pot.
If I am doing a casserole or a curry, I actually sauté on the hob as I find it faster than the sauté function. Also add boiling water from the kettle to make stock, as the whole contents has to heat up until it reaches pressure.

You will never regret an instant pot. It is fantastic for rissottos. About 10 mins, no continuous stirring. In fact I think I will make one today!

Instant Pot is the brand name. I think there are similar types of machines available now - my sister has a Pressure King Pro, & I've seen various other makes that do combination pressure/slow cooker & possibly other functions too. I have the Duo 7-in-1, 6 litre version. Love it. I got it from Amazon in the sale (waited for it to be on offer - it fluctuates quite a bit, worth keeping an eye on the price). I went for the IP over the PKP as the PKP has a non-stick inner pot, which l don't like, IMHO it's just something that will get scratched. The IP inner pot is stainless steel, more hard wearing.

The inner pot can be washed like a normal saucepan. The base unit can be wiped with a damp cloth if necessary (ideally keep dry as it's the electric bit). The pressure lid can be fully hand washed if necessary, although I don't do this every time, I mostly just wipe the inside with some detergent & then rinse it out & leave to dry. The unit is quite heavy - according to Amazon the version I have is 5kg.