Slow cookers. A must have?

[~Hestia~]

Everyone keeps telling me I need a slow cooker, do I? Are they that good? What do you love about yours? Can you adapt stovetop/oven recipes to use with them?

[Rouge]

Yep most stovetop/oven recipes can be adapted. I just remember to use less liquid I love mine because if I'm feeling lazy I can throw frozen gravy beef in there and whatever veg I have and some tomato paste, red wine and make an awesome casserole which I can serve with rice or mash and then freeze the left to mix into a basic risotto base with fresh baby spinach and its DIVINE!

[*TripleJ*]

i like mine i dont use it much but its awesome i want to do chicken in there but i still havent done it lol i mostly just do corned beef or roast beef but thats about all i really should use it more coz it is much easier to just chuck everything in and have it done we normally do meat and onion and potatoes

[MrsFabuloso]

Yep, I love mine, it's sooo easy, and the meals are hearty and healthy. You can make so many delish recipes in it! And it's so simple.

[Purple Penguin]

They're great for days when you can't be bothered doing anything or you know you're going to be out all day. Just put it all into the slowcooker in the morning and dinner is ready and waiting for you that evening.

[mzcatieboo]

my mum brought me one and i just let it sit in the cupboard.. yesterday i decided to get it out & use it.. I LOVE IT. ill be using it again Tomorrow night

[briggsy's girl]

ours get a work out during winter - not so much in warmer weather

we make a lot of stuff in there - spag bol, soup, heaps of pastas/stews etc. so simple to make it all up in the morning and just let it go

[Lisa]

I LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE mine. It was a blessing when I was working. I would just get up in the morning, throw all the ingredients in and come home from work, cook some rice and dinner was served.
We definitely use it more in winter, but it gets used still on a regular basis. During winter we kinda need 2 in this house

[~Kim~]

Yep, what all the other girls said. Love mine. I have a huge one and it's used at least once a week.

I can also highly recommend the women's weekly slow cooker recipe book too.

[~breeze~]

I agree, they're great!!! Its so convenient, just throw all the ingrediants in, turn it on, set the timer & temp & forget about it until dinner time!! Awesome!! & the food tastes sooooooooo good too!

I recomend them

[danniellabella]

I got one a few months ago but due to the summer it's only been used 3 times so far. DH isn't a fan of the meals from the SC so far...I have it on while I'm at work so it's about 10 hours and I've been finding that things have always been dry. I know everyone says to not use as much liquid but I'm finding that I need to play around and increase the liquid. I haven't found the balance yet.

I do think they're a wonderful invention though - especially as a mother who works full-time.

[AnyDream]

I recently bought a much bigger (5L) oval shaped slowcooker and I'm totally in love with it. I love to throw everything into a single pot and this replaces all the oven-cooking that I was doing (and I'm sure I'm saving a mint in electricity too) and I save the oven for when I want more of a baked effect.

I have found it great during summer because it doesn't heat the kitchen up like cooking on the stove does. Also, looking forward to lots of hale and hearty meals as the weather gets cooler. In fact I'm trying a chicken soup in it tomorrow. Mmmm yummy

[~Hestia~]

Alright, I'm convinced They do sound rather convenient & easy to use.
Any brand recommendations?

[AnyDream]

Not so much brands but these are the features you want:

High low and "auto" settings. Auto heats up quicker if you've forgotten to put something on but then switches to the low setting which cooks nicer.
Think about the size you want. I used to have a 3.5L old-style "crockpot" - it did 1 meal but I could never cook an extra large batch & freeze. I have a 5 L and it's just the right size (but I cook with loads of veggies) - think oval if you want to be able to do bigger joints of meat in it.
Glass lid. Plastic lids are crap.

[Visitor7]

Not so much brands but these are the features you want:

High low and "auto" settings. Auto heats up quicker if you've forgotten to put something on but then switches to the low setting which cooks nicer.
Think about the size you want. I used to have a 3.5L old-style "crockpot" - it did 1 meal but I could never cook an extra large batch & freeze. I have a 5 L and it's just the right size (but I cook with loads of veggies) - think oval if you want to be able to do bigger joints of meat in it.
Glass lid. Plastic lids are crap.

Yep, exactly what Marydean said. Mine has all of that, and I use it probably 3-4 times a week.
I use mine all throughout summer. It doesn't heat up the kitchen like an oven would.

[FabFiona]

I have a kambrook one which is around 6.5L. It too is oval and with a glass lid.

I find it perfect for when people are coming over. I've done all the prep earlier in the day so when they arrive it is ready to serve. No cooking or fiddling required.

I still haven't worked out to convert recipes so I just use slow cooker cookbooks and all works perfectly.

[LionsandBears]

I haven't used mine much cos DH does most of the cooking here. It is great though. Last week I did baked potatoes. Washed potatoes and threw them in the slow cooker on low. 9 hours later, came home and served up with all the yummy condiments. So easy!

We're doing it again tomorrow night.

I have a 6.5L rectangular cooker. It's a bit big for just 2 people, but is good for cooking extra and freezing left overs.

[ElleJay]

I love mine, but the stuff we usually cook aren't the best in a slow cooker, so I've used it all of once since we got it (and we got it as a wedding present a year ago)
It's definitely something good to get if you've got a busy day and night ahead and you just want something that's already done