Slow cookers, do I need one and which one would you recommend?

[Ineedsomesleep]

Do I need a slow cooker or can I just use the S setting on my cooker?

If I do get one which one should I get? There are 4 of us, the DC are 6 and 3.

I have a Tesco 3.3L one.
It was on special offer last year at £10 so I thought I'd get a cheap one to see if I used it.

I did....alot, but would get a larger size next time.
If I'm going to the trouble of making a big hearty casserole with expensive ingredients I want it to last a couple of days.

It is good for one meal though and I'd recommend it.

Uses less elec/fuel than having your cooker on low.

Yes, get the largest one you can find/afford. It should be able to hold a whole chicken or half a ham.

So what is a good size then?

i got a slow cooker on friday and i'm trying it out for the first time today. it's a 5.5 litre one! will let you know how i got on

I have one that cost about £15 in tesco and holds a whole medium chicken. Or a large Gammon joint (cooked in Coke last night = happy family!!)

I use it at least once, if not twice/3 times a week. Baked potatoes/chicken/all kinds of casseroles/irish stew etc. I LOVE my slow cooker!

beef casserole is yummy. the meat just melts. so easy and with left overs i can use another day. even fussy ds1 ate it!( in oz hence time difference)

i have found ours brilliant for making something very quickly early in the morning when i have 2 seconds break from my two babies and the feel smug for the rest of the day or tell hubbie that dinner is done and sorted on the email to his work. chicken and lamb or beef casserole seem to work best although my mum had a lovely pork and cashew nut recipe too

That smug feeling does sound good and so does your Mum's recipe ]smile]

That was supposed to be . Must try to remember to wait until my eyes have actually opened properly in the morning before I start posting on MN

I have one, used to use it now pointless, the electric oven has a timmer which is better. I always find the stuff over stewed and no where for the steam to escape so everything was watery.

The oven does the same job.