I am considering investing in a slow cooker: is theer any reason when using one, that I cannot prepare the lot the night before ie brown meat and then pop on the next morning?
You will wonder how you managed without! I don't know what the official food safety argument would be but I've done it that way for years with no ill effects! Having said that, I have also done it by chucking together all ingredients cold and then putting on in the morning, can't say there is a difference (i.e. don't need to bother browning meat?).
I agree with Brawbird. I usually do a quick and easy chicken casserole in mine. Chop Chicken, onion, potatos and add to slow cooker pour over two tins of vegetable soup. add two chopped dried chillis. switch on go to work. Its great when you get home and dont have to cook.