Come and boast about your Slow Cooker here :)

[MrsGokWantsatidyhouse]

There has been several threads recently about slow cookers and the recipes you can do in them but those of us looking to buy one NEED to know which ones you have, so we can make an informed decision about which one to buy. So please can you tell us

1. The make

2)The capacity

3)Features and if they are useful ie: timer, high or low, auto, removable pot.

4. How much it was and where you got it from

So roll up, roll up come and boast about YOUR slow cooker

Just giving this a little lunch time bump

"Boast" may be bigging my slow cooker up rather more than it deserves, but here goes.

The Cauldron, as it is known, is a Morphy Richards; capacity 6 litres (can fit a whole chicken, shoulder of lamb etc in there quite easily); timer; high or low setting ("cook" or "warm" I think they are called); glass lid so you can see what's going on in there; removeable ceramic inner pot which is easy to wash etc but can't be used on the hob.

It cost about £25 a couple of years ago from Amazon. It was half price at the time and I wonder whether that was the result of various complaints...the knob on the lid cracked pretty soon after we got it and has since mostly disintegrated, and the same is now starting to happen to the handles on the sides. DH who is very much of the "make do and mend" mentality (apart from when it comes to cars) stuck it all back together with araldite or something but I suspect its days are now numbered.

I will watch this thread with interest to spot likely contenders for a replacement

Just marking my spot!

1. The make - Russell Hobbs

2)The capacity - 6.5litres

3)Features and if they are useful ie: timer, high or low, auto, removable pot. - no timer but everything else

4. How much it was and where you got it from - £30 from Debenhams, but I think they are selling them for £25 in Asda

I love it! It is huge though - easily could cook enough for 8 adults!

Hi MrsD and MrsGok and dressagenut, too!

Well, you knew I would be over here didn't you??

Can't actually help as I am embarrassed to say that mine is so old and well used the name has long since eroded away. It is huge, but haven't got a clue how big ( good enough for a family of 7! )

Keep thinking i may invest in a new one, but while mine is working, why waste the money?

Oh well, not a lot of help from me I'm sorry, but i will watch the thread in case my ancient relic dies soon. I certainly would need to buy one the next day!!

I'm glad you asked
Mines really old (could be 70s even). It's a Tower family deluxe, £2 at a boot sale about 8 or 9 years ago.
I love it so much I picked up a compact Tower (a smaller one that does 1-2 people) too when I saw one in a charity shop.
It's proper slow, which I really like. These newer ones seem to run very hot for slow cooking and must use more electric. My friend's modern one almost simmers and the lid rattles.
It's also got an 'auto' setting too, where it starts off on HIGH then cuts down to LOW by itself later on....I'm not to bothered about this feature though.
Pot lifts out (I thought they all did) for washing up, browning meat over the hob etc.

this is mine from Tesco

Tesco 3.3l, high, low and warm. Removable pot.

Wish it had a timer and auto setting. Also would like one that browns on hob

Used to have a cookworks round one. Had high, low, auto. Moved to the oval shaped one as easier to put chicken legs, and joints etc

Look what I've just found

slow cooker reviews

Haven't had time to read it yet, will browse once DCs are in bed

1. Cordon Bleu

2. 3 litres - bit big for 2 of us but I usually make enough for 4 - 8 people and freeze what we don't eat.

3. High, low, auto setting & removable pot. Don't need a timer

4. No idea how much or where it came from as it was a gift and I love it.

Have you tried a whole chicken in your slow cooker- do you need to put any stock in the pot with it- if so how much? And what happens to any veg you put in with it- does it get too greasy or soggy?
Please help- planning on doing it tomorrow!

Am veggie so no help with chicken, sorry!

This is ours,crockpot

I love it, the pot bit comes off completely, dead easy to wash, it can be used on the hob or in the oven, goes in the dishwasher and even the freezer.

Mind, the high setting is pretty high, so if I'm leaving stuff on all day, it's best to set it to low.

The keep warm setting is handy though, once something is cooked enough.

Highly recommended.

I have the crockpot too.
Ilike it as you can brown the meat on the hob in it.

i have two slow cookers, as dh & dd are veggie and ds & i eat meat...

so stick that in your crockpot and smoke it

I have a lovely slow cooker and am waiting to get a crockpot but if you buy either from here they give a lifetime guarantee on the item so you can take it back and get an exchange or refund in 10 years + if you so required.

I was looking at that one wubbly, mixed reviews on Amazon though.

Paranoid that is a good idea, it's just a shame they aren't on Top Cash Back or Quidco for cashback.

teddymummy - I have done whole chickens by just adding a very little stock, just so that the bottom doesn't stick/burn. Lovely succulent chicken that just falls off the bone. First time I did it I got worried half way through as it seemed to smell not so good, but keep going and it gets better! HAve to admit to doing my veg in the steamer as I like it done that way.

herladyship have you got some good veggie recipes to share, please?

Asda,

3.5l.

High 6-8 hours cooking time

Low 8-12 hours cooking time.

Some slow cookers low is just to keep warm so double check first.

Can still cook whole chickens etc in it. There is only dd, ds and I with plenty of leftovers.

Have to look at mine will post later.

HasNoIdeaWhatMakeEtc.ButWasMegaCheapTiggaxx

The whole chicken is looking good, added veg, water and potatoes. Just about to serve to Dcs

mine is a hinari (3.5l) around £40 off amazon - it is brilliant. i don't come from a family who uses these kinds of gadgets but i had a go and i would not be without one now

I have 4.5L Morphy Richards from Asda it was reduced in price I think.

Low/High/Auto (no timer)

It is pretty large and we have made a huge chilli in it feeding eight people before.

Don't think a large whole chicken or joint would fit in though.