Should I get a slow cooker?

[bangersmashandbeans]

So I'm about to go on mat leave with my second baby. DD is nearly 3 so will soon be at pre school most mornings. I have grand plans of getting a slow cooker and preparing all meals whilst she is out of the house and looking like domestic goddess when DH gets home from work having spent the afternoon with both kids and still manage to serve a healthy home made meal!! Are they worth it? And any tips on what size I should get, whether I need a 'medium' setting etc etc. thanks!

My step mum always has it on the go and the food comes out really yummy so I'd love to get into it too. I think you can cook whole chickens and things as well as the typical stews, bologneses etc

If your regular oven has a delay timer or a very cool setting you don't actually need a slow-cooker.

Yes, yes, yes. They are life changing, especially with children!

Personally I would always go for the biggest you can afford as one of the benefits is batch cooking in big quantities so you can stock up the freezer as well as eat it on the day. Only other requirement is low, high, warm settings. I have a timer on mine too, but you can easily do without one. I would also go for a reputable brand, rather than just tesco or something but loads of people have them and like them, just a personal pref.

Go and buy one!

Thanks wrenster! My sister works for Wahl so I'm hoping she'll be able to get me a decent one.

I cooked a whole chicken in my new slow cooker today. It literally fell apart when I took it out and was delicious!

I found everything disgusting coming out of a slow cooker. I wouldn't waste my money for one. I only use it to cook dried beans. It's very very good for that though.

I bought my Morphy Richards one a couple of momths ago and already love it. There are only two of us to cook for, so I usually do double quantities of things and freeze them. I find that I am tired at the end of the day when I have had my DGS so it is really easy to put something on in the morning and it's ready whenever I want it in the evening.

Thanks everyone - I'm convinced! It's my birthday on Saturday so my sister is going to buy me one! Not the most exciting of presents but not much else I want as I'm 35 weeks pregnant.