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Slow cooker yay or nay?

(117 Posts)
nanapug Sat 07-Dec-13 22:06:26

Am tempted to buy a slow cooker as I have heard good things, but am worried that it will just sit on the side with my ice cream maker and juicer. What do you feel?

Galen Sat 11-Jan-14 11:33:25

MineS a crockpot and you can use it on the hob to brown first if yo want to.
My biggest problem is cooking for just one! After 10years I still can't get the knack of it.

cazthebookworm Sat 11-Jan-14 17:31:19

Nanapug, just reading through the thread and wondered if, after all the advice from GNs, you have tried the slow cooker out yet that we pursuaded you to buy!

Galen, I used to have the same problem, mainly putting too much salt into everything thinking there were double portions. I have solved it now by not using any. An added bonus, much healthier. I do sometimes cook extra though and freeze it for another day when I haven't got time or don't feel like cooking.

Charleygirl Sat 11-Jan-14 18:52:14

Galen I am like you, I do not cook with salt, I add it afterwards. I do the same if I go out for a meal and I am 100% certain that salt was used in the cooking. At least my method I am not getting a double dose.

I always cook extra and freeze so that I have 2-3 portions ready to microwave for the times when I cannot be bothered to cook.

Galen Sat 11-Jan-14 19:19:18

I don't use salt either. My late husband was on a low salt diet and I got used to not having any.

nanapug Sun 12-Jan-14 12:04:30

Hello everyone, have enjoyed reading all the comments as I have not been on here fro a while. Yes cazthebookworm I am really enjoying my slow cooker and have joined a lovely group on FB who are really helpful and come up with some amazing recipes. I cooked a whole chicken, dry, the other day (*Nonu*) and it was amazing. The liquid it produced was fantastic and made wonderful gravy once I had allowed it to settle and removed the fat. The mistake I made was to not put folded foil under it before cooking as it was difficult to get out as it was falling apart. The other mistake I made was to put the pot in the oven to cook my dumplings, when I made a stew (which was amazing) and the lid handle melted. Oh well I have learnt from that and apparently, according to my FB group, dumplings are fantastic cooked in the SC; so will try that next time. The gammon I cooked on Christmas day was incredible (I am running out of adjectives!!). Today I am cooking a curry in it. As you can tell, I love it!!

Riverwalk Sun 12-Jan-14 12:19:42

Oyez, Oyez!

Just to report that Ocado have gammon joints smoked/unsmoked half-price today! smile

Galen Sun 12-Jan-14 12:27:41

I've one in my fridge. Much to big for me but I'll cook it and give most to my cleaner

Riverwalk Sun 12-Jan-14 12:32:34

Why not slice into portions and freeze?

Galen Sun 12-Jan-14 12:42:53

Freezer is over flu of stuff I've bought then CBA to cook so put in freezer sad

Galen Sun 12-Jan-14 12:43:08

Flu? Full!

Lona Sun 12-Jan-14 13:32:04

I cooked a full chicken over Christmas without any liquid and it was good.

nanapug you can buy large four pronged forks for lifting large joints, they are great for getting chicken out without it falling to bits!
I think my local Waitrose have them, but most kitchen shops stock them.

My cooker is on at the moment with skinned chicken thighs, mushrooms, small can of sweetcorn, pack of baby spinach, bacon lardons and a tin of cream of mushroom soup.
Smells delicious.

KellyTown Wed 28-Dec-16 08:45:16

Buy an advanced slow cooker to get your meals ready while you’re busy attending other jobs. You will still get tasty zest in your final dish even if you leave it there, just set the required cooking time.

PRINTMISS Wed 28-Dec-16 09:07:06

I found another use for my slow cooker over Christmas/Boxing day. I had some bread rolls which I had bought from the Supermarket which needed to be cooked, which I did in the oven, but since I was using every cooking space for something or the other, I decided to put the cooked bread rolls in the slow cooker - no liquid and leave them at the lowest level. They kept warm and crisp for ages.

gettingonabit Wed 28-Dec-16 13:33:17

Nay from me.

I'm giving mine away. Waste of space.

BlueBelle Wed 28-Dec-16 14:04:52

A yes yes yes from me too seem to have had a slow cooker in various sizes for ever big when the kids were at home smaller now on my own inherited my mums two when mum and dad died so a variety in the cupboard Use it regularly especially gammon ummmm yummy never tried without liquid I will get adventurous and give it a go

ginny Wed 28-Dec-16 14:15:36

I have two. Large for when there is a crowd and a small one I use for just DH and I. Wouldn't be without one. Lovely to go out for the day and come home to a ready cooked meal, especially when it's cold outside.