I think I am going to but a slow cooker

[sameagain]

Just a few of questions:

• What capacity do I need - family of 4
• How long is slow ( i.e 12/24 hours? ) and if its less than 24, is it OK to do the prep, including browning meat the night before and then turn it on in the morning?

-Anything else I need to know before I go shopping

Thank you

I know it's been mentioned on MN before but I'm still looking for really good recipes for my slow cooker. Everything so far seems a bit insipid.

I used mine for the first time yesterday and also found the food a bit bland, did pork with mixed veg herbs and stock.
I'd love some inspiration!
Anyone?

Time for cooking depends, but for example a stew could typically be 8 hours on 'low', 6 hours on 'medium' and 4 hours on 'high'.

It is very much recommended to do the prep, browning etc beforehand! As someone on MN put it, the real benefit of a slow cooker is that it shifts the preparation time to a convenient time of day, eg the night before, and means you aren't rushing about just before you want to eat.
My main tip is to always put the liquid in as close to boiling as you can get it.

I have found that flavours need to be stronger, maybe that's because no water evaporates so nothing gets concentrated IYSWIM.

I have this book but probably use this one the most

I tend to always start mine on high for a couple of hours and then turn it down.

I also quite often finish off for the last half an hour in the oven if i'm doing dumplings or potatoes on top to crisp them up and intensify the flavours a bit.

I do lots of casseroles in mine - just basic chicken etc and cook if for ages.

I also find it fab for making stock - shove the bones, carrot, onion and bay leaf in it with water to cover and leave on overnight for lovely stock. May need to reduce a bit on the hob if you want a more intense stock.

A little tip.

Remember to turn it on when you start the timer and leave the house to pick up your child. Only lost half an hour luckily.

I love my slow cooker but am chuckling at the subject line of this thread

I should have said 8 hours OR 6 hours OR 4 hours! don't cook a stew for 18 hours!