Okay I'm convinced. Am off to buy a slow cooker!

[monkeybumsmum]

Just been lurking on some of the slow cooking threads and now really want one, after having umm'd and ahh'd for years.

Anyone got any recommendations? Is there anything I should know? And is it possible to buy a rubbish one? If so knowing my luck I'd get that one

Thanks in advance!

A crockpot is a slow cooker. I think its the original american brand name. The advantage with a crockpot over the cheaper slow cookers is that the crockpots can be used on the hob to brown meat first, can be safely put in the fridge and microwave.

I started with an earthenware 1.2L slow cooker which I had for a wedding present many moons ago, it's still going strong but have recently upgraded to a crockpot 4.7L which I love. The warm setting is great for keeping soups warm once it is cooked.

I got mine from Tesco £38.

Thanks jelly! Will go and have a look at the Tesco website

What is the advantage of a slow cooker over just sticking a pot of whatever in the oven? Is it just lower power?

I recently got a slow cooker from Tesco (under £10) and love it, have used it nearly every day.
Our local library has quite a few slow cooker recipe books with some really tasty looking meals, not just casseroles and soups (think Catherine Atkinson one is my current favourite).
In terms of safety I read somewhere that it's essentially the same as leaving a light bulb on which reassured me sufficiently to leave it on and go out for the day - can report that our house hasn't burned down and we have come home to delicious meals. I don't bother browning meat 1st (except mince), just chuck it all in and switch on. All the meat I've cooked so far has been incredibly tender, far more so than when I cook it slowly in the oven for hours.
I wondered if it might be another kitchen appliance which would gather dust on the shelf but it's definitely not, would highly recommend getting one

oooh I want a 4.7l crockpot...

but can you actually do a joint ie pork/lamb leg in them? or just pot roast type things/casserole stew soup stuff?

I have this crockpot, large joints would be a problem in this one because the part of the pot that sits in the heating base is narrower.

Now this baby would be great for large joints. I originally looked at this one but decided that it would be too big for us.

hello...
I just bought the 6.5l crock pot from Tesco Direct for £34.27. Job done! Thanks for the info on this thread.