Which slow cooker should I buy?

[DesolateWaist]

I have some John Lewis vouchers burning a hole in my pocket. So I need a slow cooker that comes from them.
I like the look of the Crock Pot CSC 024 but I wonder if it might be over kill for a novice slow cooker owner like me.
I would appreciate any thoughts and advice.

www.johnlewis.com/browse/electricals/cooking-appliances/slow-cookers/_/N-ag9

Anyones, I'm off to JL, help me spend my money!

Try Charity shops. They turn up all the time from people who've no idea how to use them.

I'd get something quite simple - the beauty of them is that timings don't need to be exact and everything can be done on one temperature, so no need for anything too complicated. Also, don't go too big, unless you have a large family. The cooker needs to be 2/3 full to work well and the meals don't lend themselves brilliantly to freezing and reheating (tend to turn to mush!)

And of course spend vouchers on something nice you want.

Size. I find small ones don't hold enough for a family, so I would get a 6 litre or larger. Make sure the crock pot lifts out of the outer part for easy washing. Mine are basic, on/off, warm, low and high settings, that is all. but my son's have more heat choices than mine and timers, and they use them regularly. I am wanting a new one myself.

I can't tell which one is Crock Pot CSC 024

Make sure you get get on that you can put the dish on the hob to brown the meat off etc first before it goes in the slow cooker...saves on having to wash up to separate pots at the end of it all. I spent about £30-40 ish on a 4 person slow cooker a few years ago even though it was just for my partner and I and it's perfect! You can always make less in it if you aren't feeding as many people, but equally you can then use it when you have people over or for batch cooking!

I found it, and like it. Pretty fancy!

Oh I didn't know they made ones that can brown meat on the hob, sort of like a Dutch oven!

I brought a cheap little one years ago from tesco for £20 and it was great, I use it now for making smaller dishes

Then I had vouchers for house of fraiser and brought a Sage one.... I love it! And use it all the time, best bit is it can sear the meat/veggies first saves a pan :)

I decided against getting one in the end.
I just couldn't work out how I would fit using it into my day.
Also, as a vegetarian I'm not sure that there is much to be gained by using a slow cooker.

Good call. What did you spend your voucher on instead?

Nothing yet. It's one from having a John Lewis card so I might just wait until I have some more.