Best Crock Pot slow cooker? For returning-to-work mum.

[gerbo]

I'm returning to work in September full time and want a slow cooker to batch cook and leave on all day to make dinner for after work/school run. It's for a family of 4 so I'm wanting a 5.7-6.5 litre model to eat then freeze meals from.

For me the important thing is knowing it won't burn food if I put it on at 7am, and the crock pot brand offer a facility to cook, then automatically switch to "keep warm" facility, perfect for me. (They are quite high tech with a countdown timer, etc)

A friend has recommended the Crock Pot brand. I don't mind investing in a more expensive model if it's reliable when being left on all day and works for us.

My question is regarding the 5.7 litre models. There seem to be 2 kinds. One you can use the dish to sauté in direct on the hob then pop on the slow cooker cradle, and one you can't. They both have the automatic keep warm facility.

Does anyone have any crock pot experiences?! Good or bad? It's a lot to spend so thought I'd check in with the mumsnet lot! There are a few online reviews saying the can burn things but the overwhelming majority say they're great.....?

Thanks!

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This thread is very old now and some of the suggestions may be outdated, but we’ve recently refreshed our best slow cooker guide with plenty of options recommended by Mumsnet users, including Crockpots and other models with a 'keep warm' function. We hope you find it useful.
MNHQ

[guineapig1]

I am a slow cooker queen. Absolutely love mine and use it at least 3 times a week in winter. Agree that you can get away with not browning meat first. Usually pop mine on between 7 and 7.30 and never eat before 7 pm as neither of us are usually home before 6 at the absolute earliest.

I've got a morphy Richards one with a ceramic pot. Has high, low and auto functions on it. Auto cooks on high for 4 hours then switches to low so this is one I usually use.

Favourites include stews and casseroles of all sorts, cawl, brisket of beef, braised lamb shanks, oxtail stew, pulled pork, pork shoulder in Apple juice, curries and gammon joints.

I had a couple if practice runs leaving it on all day when I was home or popping in and out until I was confident to leave it on all day but haven't looked back since! If you are a bit nervous re the amount of liquid add a bit more and if it is a stew or sauce thicken with cornflour just before serving.

[guineapig1]

I am a slow cooker queen. Absolutely love mine and use it at least 3 times a week in winter. Agree that you can get away with not browning meat first. Usually pop mine on between 7 and 7.30 and never eat before 7 pm as neither of us are usually home before 6 at the absolute earliest.

I've got a morphy Richards one with a ceramic pot. Has high, low and auto functions on it. Auto cooks on high for 4 hours then switches to low so this is one I usually use.

Favourites include stews and casseroles of all sorts, cawl, brisket of beef, braised lamb shanks, oxtail stew, pulled pork, pork shoulder in Apple juice, curries and gammon joints.

I had a couple if practice runs leaving it on all day when I was home or popping in and out until I was confident to leave it on all day but haven't looked back since! If you are a bit nervous re the amount of liquid add a bit more and if it is a stew or sauce thicken with cornflour just before serving.

[sashh]

You don't need to braise/fry anything before you stick it in the SC. Wih the possible exception of sausages but that is for cosmetic purposes.

I have 2, both basic brands and never have a problem with burning.