Slow cooker yay or nay?

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.

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

Nay from me.

I'm giving mine away. Waste of space.

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.

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.

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.

Flu? Full!

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

Why not slice into portions and freeze?

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

Oyez, Oyez!

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

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!!

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

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.

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.

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.

I cook a joint of brisket in mine without adding water, just sprinkle herbs on top. When served there is always plenty of juice for a gravy.

I have googled using a slow cooker without liquid and it seems to be ok but I think I would add a spoonful or two to get the steam going.

She must like it then -- if she was home that is

I thought I'd break mine in gently with a corned beef hash, then my dd phoned to ask if she could stay here tonight. I told her what we would be eating, and she said "I had that last night!"

My slow cooker was second hand from a friend who was emigrating, so I have no instructions.

My original slow cooker - a prestige - actually said to add no liquid as enough was produced by the meat and vegetables themselves. I only ever put in the minimum amount.

Can I ask you all, well the ones who have cooked without water/stock, does your instruction book say that it's ok?

Not that I always follow instructions you understand , just checking really.

I've done the same, Caz - including the onion! Sometimes I'll substitute a well-pricked lemon for the onion.

Yes, I've used mine without liquid, cooked a whole chicken in it stuffed with an onion, there is loads of stock at the end which sets to a jelly, so good for you when used as a soup base.