So - thinking of buying a slow cooker

[SinisterSal]

What are the features I should look out for?

There's me and DH, and two preschoolers with small appetites. I work a three long days a week, DH 5 normal days. We like slow cooker type food, stews, curries etc, and it would be lovely to come home to that. I am fearful of a canteen type of taste, though.

So, what kind of one should I get?

we have a 3.5 litre one for family of 5. you need low/high/auto settings and removable pot. suggest going for cheap one, as i can't see how you would need expensive.

the trick is that you don't need loads of liquid. so i follow normal curry/chilli/bolognese type recipes but only add the stock cube/pot and not the liquid.

some people complain of bland taste, but i think thats because they haven't added correct things. so if it tastes bland try adding herbs/garlic/chilli/mustard to buz it up.

using a tin of toms as the sauce base is easiest way to start - so stews, curry, bolognese and add spices etc.

suggest not putting root veg in, or if you do chop very finely as it doesn't soften very easily. there are loads of recipes/tips on here

I recommend the morphy Richards sear and slow. It has a removable non stick metal inner bowl which can be used on the hob so u can fry off the onions or brown meat without using a separate pan.

thank you.

what about timers? cn I set them to come on at two o clock, say, for 4 hours? all day would probably be a bit much, the house is empty for 12 hours

Oh that sounds great wheresmycaffeinedrip

i think there are timers. personally i wouldn't want raw food sitting for that long out of the fridge. if you only work for 3 days you could cook the food on your day off and reheat the following day? things like curry, stew taste nicer then anyway