Slow cooker fans this way please..

[gallicgirl]

I'm thinking of getting a slow cooker but I'm a bit uncertain. So I need you to convince me.

Can I use it to make anything other than stews?

Do they come with a timer? We're out of the house for 10 hours a day during the week and I don't know if this is too long to cook. Is the food in the slow cooker kept at the right temperature to avoid food poisoning without over cooking?

Thanks all.

Do a search there are loads of recipes on here, but in answer -

Most don't have a timer, some have 'auto' which means they cook for a few hours then switch to keeping warm. 10 hours is fine.

A few none stew things - roast meat or chicken, just switch on the sc, add a joint or a chicken put on the lid and come back to a roast.

I use it for suet puddings, you can make a steak and kidney pudding to feed a family in a plastic or pyrex bowl, put an inch or two of water in the sc and leave it to steam all day.

Fabulous. I was a bit concerned about the time.
I hope to be able to scoop a portion out for DD when I get home then DP and I can eat later.

Could not cope without mine! Shove something in at at about seven in the morning, leave on low then ready for kids at about half four/five. Then some left when DH gets home anytime between 7pm and 10.30pm.

Also fab to leave a meal in for when MIL picks up kids - saves her faffing on.

Lovely for soups on autumn and winter days too. I sometimes make soup the night before, blend, leave in slo cooker pot in fridge then simply transfer to slo cooker base the next morning and we all come home to hot soup.

Get a decent cook book and you will be sorted!

That's exactly what I want. We don't get in until 6 and DP can be as late at 7 so getting food, bath and bedtime done can be a bit fraught. Hoping to free up some food prep time.