Recommend me a slow cooker please

[drspouse]

DH accidentally broke our old faithful Swan ceramic slow cooker today. We tried a large metal one with browning function a while back but it wasn't at all slow. So I think we want one like our old one (but DH points out with safe electrics!)

The dial panel came off my old faithful slow cooker last month. I really wanted something I could brown meat in so I wasn’t cooking on the hob then transferring everything over to a separate pot. After a lot of research I replaced it with the Instantpot and I love it.

I’m a complete convert and use it at least 3 times a week. I can brown the meat/sauté veg in it and then either slow cook or pressure cook. It has lots of functions for rice, porridge and yoghurt etc but I’ve just used it for dinners so far.

If you’re looking for just a slow cooker that can sauté , Lakeland had one that was my runner up option for about £50.

I'm actually not that bothered if I can saute but I'll look at the Instantpot too.

Love my instant pot. I don't use the slow cooker because the pressure cooker is FAR better than slow cook function. I cook chick peas, beans etc; any stew or pulled meat or mince based things; soup and stock; pot roast; steaming vegetables; porridge; proofing dough. There's heaps of recipes online but a Facebook group for your region (there's quite a few: US, UK, Australia etc) is really handy because people are very knowledgeable.

OK, having had a look I am fairly sure I don't want an Instant Pot. I mainly use the slow cooker to put stuff on and eat it later (or in the morning, in the case of porridge).

I love my instant pot. But sometimes still use my slow cooker, it's the basic cookworks big sized one from Argos and has been going strong for years.

I have a morphy richards sear and stew and love it, it's great that i can fry my meat off then put the pan in the slow cooker part and leave it, i find frying the meat off gives better flavour.

It was the Sear and Stew we got that cooked too fast, unfortunately.

Another vote for the Instant Pot here as well

If it's just a basic one to replace like for like, I'd just go for the cheapest. I've used several over the years and honestly can't tell the difference between them.

Lidl and Aldi often have them this time of year; I think Lidl's 6 litre one was under £20.

Just bought DD a Breville - pretty basic model but it has the auto function so she can leave it and go about her day. She's very happy with it.

Sorry to mention instant pot again
But I have one

I used it as a pressure cooker and occasionally as a slow cooker too.

I bought my latest slow cooker from swan - £19 delivered direct and it’s a gorgeous sunshine yellow colour

Ive had one from sainsburys and a crockpot. The sainsburys one was better. The pot washed better and nothing burned on.

@Otherpeoplesteens

If it's just a basic one to replace like for like, I'd just go for the cheapest. I've used several over the years and honestly can't tell the difference between them.

Lidl and Aldi often have them this time of year; I think Lidl's 6 litre one was under £20.

Seconded. It's basic 'technology' so nothing to be gained from paying for a brand.

Also Aldi and I think Lidl have a 3 Yr warranty on all their electrical, which is actually really good!