Has anyone got a slow cooker?

[WoollyNewty]

I am what I would describe as a lazy cook and I was flicking through a magazine the other day and noticed a 'slow cooker'. Now I thought these went out in the 70's but clearly not. In the winter I do like my stew/casseroles/beany things/cheap things so I wondered if it was a good idea to get one? I HATE making mess and fuss in the evenings so I reckon with one of these jobbies I could just do it all first thing in the morning and then by the evening all I've got to worry about it is eating the food!

Any experiences? (good and bad!)

[littlepinkpiglet]

I LOVE mine but I'm just off out the door so I'll get back to you on this one.

[Minky]

Moi. I lurve it so much I brought it with me from Kiwiland. I have a special crock pot cook book to go with it Woolly, so can be your recipe reference!

It's great for casseroles, stews and soups. Wouldn't be without it in the winter - also great for rustling up a curry.

YUM!!!

Mine is not very funky looking sadly, though you can get groovy stainless steel ones these days

[Blonde Girl]

Oooh I have been thinking about getting one of these too. Any recomendations as to which (cheap) one to get?

[Lois Lane]

We got one as an engagement present years ago and thought it was an odd present but we LOVE it! Like Minky says it's a godsend in the winter and the meat is SOOOOOOO tender it melts in the mouth. DH makes a mean meat pie and we put the meat in the slow cooker all day first - it's Paige's favourite.

Cathy I don't think mine was very expensive - it's by Morphy Richards but I don't know the model number.

[WoollyNewty]

Ohhh I'm getting really excited now !!! It sounds fab - the whole 'melt in the mouth' meat thing - plus like you say Lois I think toddlers like that kind of food so hopefully it will feed the WHOLE family easily. Minky - I will be raiding your knowledge for receipes!

I might even ask for one for my birthday - WHAT has my life come to.... (and yours Cathy! )

[Lois Lane]

Ohhh I'm getting really excited now !!! It sounds fab - the whole 'melt in the mouth' meat thing - plus like you say Lois I think toddlers like that kind of food so hopefully it will feed the WHOLE family easily. Minky - I will be raiding your knowledge for receipes!

I might even ask for one for my birthday - WHAT has my life come to.... (and yours Cathy! )

Woolly I got a Kenwood mixer for my birthday last year so I feel your pain!!!! (Wouldn't be without it though!) I was positively orgasmic in Williams Sonoma in the states this year when I picked up a really cool new icing gadget for cake making. GOD I'M OLD!!!!!

You're right about family meals - we tend to use ours more at weekends when we have the time to all sit down to meals together and Paige absolutely adores her Daddy's stews and meat pies.

[Bluebabe75]

I've got one too (but then I have a kitchen with more gadgets than space ).... only used it a couple of times so far, but am planning to use it a lot more this winter when I'll be home on maternity leave.

Made a really good beef in red wine casserole in it last time - only problem was the cork got stuck in the red wine, and then the wine exploded all over me and the kitchen, five minutes before I was meant to leave for work Was a bit late washing it all off, but the casserole was definitely worth the effort

[wotsit]

Everything I cook in mine is just bland casserole flavour - all tastes the same.
Anyone got any good recipes then?

[August Girl]

I have one but haven't had any luck with it, everything I have made has been a disaster! It's asleep under the stairs at the moment and I'd forgotten it was there till now. Shh, let it sleep