how does a slow cooker work, is it electric, and if so is it expensive to use?

[suzie1]

[rinkins]

Yes they are electric and it costs the same as running a nightlight. Love mine,, I'd recommend them!

[craft1948]

don't use mine now that I'm at home all day........but highly recommended if you're out at work....

[suzie1]

im getting one, my kids and partner are not happy with me these days as so busy with work and things that i have not made a decent meal for a while, but they do eat! def gonna invest in a slow cooker, which would you reccomend

[Sachs]

Hi suzie,
I can reccommend slow cookers! Cheap to run. Just remember meat always on the bottom, veg on top. You can use frozen veg without thawing or fresh veg. Half pint of thickish gravy granules, it may look 'gloopy' going in but what happens over the cooking time is it mixes with the juices of the meat & if using frozen veg / veg, the water! No precise quantitys really. I just layer the meat on the bottom, a sliced / diced onion, enough frozen veg for everyone, half a pint of gravy! Oh and here's a website for recipes too! x
http://www.slowandsimple.com/

[coccinelle]

Don't make the mistake of buying one too small; much better getting one too big and being able to make enough for two meals or freeze a meal for another time. If you prepare everything in the cooker the night before, put it into the fridge overnight, don't leave it out.

[jamesnan]

I prefer to soften my onions before putting in the slow cooker, either using a fry pan, and browning meat slightly at the same time - or - put them in some boiling water and make gravy using the same water. This makes a difference to the finished dish.
A slow cooker also makes lovely soups, and the rice pudding is delicious - make a large amount, and you can keep it in the fridge, add extra milk and warm through to serve.

[sara3]

I used mine today and cooked duck. it's great to get in from work and the kitchen smells like you've been cooking all afternoon :o)

[str]

I got one recently and haven't stopped using it. The meat is so tender and moist. I just chuck everything in it, even frozen - the only thing to remember is to half the amount of liquid as none is evaporated during the cooking process. Its fab to come home to the gorgeous smell of a cooked meal.

[Buenchico]

Slow cookers usually have two or three power settings. They vary between models but the following are typical examples:

A 'Low' setting might be around 180W. That's what you'd use if you were going out to work at 8am and returning at 6pm. You'd use 1.8KWh of electricity, so (with a typical price of 10p per KWh) it would cost you 18p to cook your meal

A 'High' setting might be around 360W. That's what you'd use if you were only going out for half as long but (with double the power cancelling out half the time) you'd still pay 18p.

I've never used a slow cooker but I've often left casseroles in the oven, at Gas Mark 1, while I've been out for the day. They're always vastly better than casseroles cooked for the more usual times of, say, around 45 minutes. (For example the meat just falls off from chicken breasts and is full of flavour. Even the cheapest cuts of beef come out beautifully tender. Marinaded meats absorb loads of flavour).

Asda were recently selling slow cookers for £7. They seem to have gone up since then (to £12, I think) but they could still be worth trying.

Chris

[aims1202]

My mum bought us one when my daughter was born, i would never have thought of it myself but its excellent. It means we have a lovely hot dinner ready after our long walk home from school and no hungry kids while i cook. I would recommend getting a slo-cooker cook book as there are so many more things than casseroles. We also do spaghetti bolognaise, curries, soup and puddings like rice pudding, even steamed sponge. I have a Morphy Richards one that is big enough but doesnt take up too much space. Definitely recommend it.

[Drisgirl]

I love mine and use it every day.I got mine out Tescos for a tenner.
I am currently having a lentil curry which has been cooking all afternoon.
I make soup every day in it and love the smell when I come home from work.I also make stews ,chill curries bolognese when my husband is home.I havent burnt anything yet.
It makes the cheapest meat tender -best thing ever !!
Enjoy it and the spare time you will have !!