am deciding whether to get a slow cooker

[tiredlady]

would you highly recommend them?
I like the idea of bunging everyhing in one pot, then going out to work, then coming home to beef casserole, but is it really that simple?
If you do have one and use it, what stuff do you cook?
Thanks ladies

yes it is simple - bung it all in the pot and come home to dinner pronto

I use mine at least once a week, sometimes twice. What do I make?

casseroles and stews of various descriptions, often with dumplings or a cobbler on top.

Whole chicken. Then use it to mix with pasta or rice (cooked separately)

any joint of meat

bolognese sauce (I suppose you could do chilli too)

I have a recipe for rice pudding that I am meaning to try...

tiredlady - yes it is that simple, but you have to get used to it. you need much less liquid than normal and some things like pots don't cook. so with most of my recipes i don't include the stock - just the cube. a whole chicken would cook with half a cup of liquid - maybe none at all. i often make dinner whilst eating breakfast. you sound like my sort of cook and i use a slow cooker loads. if you are at work all day put on low. you cold prepare night before and then cook following day.

tiredlady - oh and i speak of someone who dislikes gadgets - but i wouldn't be without my slowcooker

Do it

Use mine masses and have done for years. At least 3 times a week. As you have been told it really is simple, and things will get better as you get used to it. I use mine for the same as the other posters but also for curries, Shepherds pie (add potato after work and shove under grill), Plain old chicken breast stuffed first and put in, the meat bit for pies, then just cover with pastry after work and shove in the oven to brown the pastry, lasagne meat part. The only meat I brown before throwing in is mince. Other than that it goes in raw and cooks slowly all day. A very unspecific science.
Perfect for when we are not all eating at the same time too. Everyone can dip in as and when they need to and it is always ready without any hassle from me.
I love coming home from work and knowing i ahve very little to do to feed the hoardes!

Thanks for all the replies.
Have just seen another thread going about slow cooker recipes, so will be nabbing some tips.
Am definitely getting one.Am hoping it will be a life changing experience