do you use a slowcooker??

[mamajess]

Do you recommend any particular brand? Is it one of those appliances that just sits in the cupboard or is it a really handy one that u use often? I'm looking into buying one and need feedback! Cheers!

[Chunkydunks]

I have an 8lt cascade (warehouse brand) that I can't fault. Mum and Dad have had theirs of the same brand for about 3 years now and nothing has gone wrong with it. I use my a fair bit. I love stews and things like that but you can make a really nive bolognese in it too. They're so versatile.

[Shakey]

i've got one, and use it, love cooking a corned beef in there, always turns out so scrummy, I genrally only use it in the winter time though, cause stews and cassaroles and stuff like that is winter food in my books

they are also great for making food for bubs, the meat is so tender and falls apart in it, so its easy to mash up or give to bubs straight

[sairpaul]

I have a breville 6lt slow cooker. the best $90 i've ever spent i do everything in it. Put it on before i leave of a morning and teas cooked when i get home. I do meatballs, casseroles, shepards pies, puddings.

[Mum2Bug]

I couldnt live without my 6lt Ronson. They quite often come out on special for about $50. I use mine for soups, casseroles, roasts, curries and potato bakes.

[camcat]

I couldnt live without my 6lt Ronson. They quite often come out on special for about $50. I use mine for soups, casseroles, roasts, curries and potato bakes.
Thats what I've got and highly recommend it also. definately worth it as it's soooooo convenient to just chuck everything in there and switch it on in the morning - no stress, no hassle and dinner is ready when you need it that night

[jag5000]

I couldn't live without mine... fantastic for having dinner ready before the 'witching hour' strikes. I love not having to think about dinner after it's all in there in the morning. I make so many things in it - stews, shanks, curries, pasta sauce... even have made cakes and sweets. it's great too as my DH gets home late and I can serve DD at 6ish, me at whenever I feel like it and it's still warm and good when DH gets home which could be anywhere from 7 to 10pm

I don't think any brand is better than another.. I got mine about 10 years ago and it's looking a bit crook but still works a treat! the cheap ones are just as good as more exy ones going on reviews from friends

[kirstenriley]

[QUOTE=jag5000;2845547]I couldn't live without mine... fantastic for having dinner ready before the 'witching hour' strikes. I love not having to think about dinner after it's all in there in the morning. I make so many things in it - stews, shanks, curries, pasta sauce... even have made cakes and sweets.QUOTE]

:iagree: Its so fantastic for getting things ready in the morning and just serving it up at dinner time, will come in so handy when my new bub arrives.

[milly D]

how do you do a shepherd pie in a slow cooker???

[elissas]

I use it every weekend to make up DS' meals and freeze them in portions so I never have to worry about cooking for him during the week. It's great too because it brings out the natural flavour in foods and makes meat really tender. There's no need to add any rubbishy flavours and flavour enhancers like in commercial stock or sauces.

I also use it once or twice during the week, on my cleaning days. I have the meat pre-chopped in the freezer ready to go, so I take it out in the morning, defrost it in the microwave and throw it in the cooker with some wine or a tin of tomatoes. As the day goes I add veggies, when I get a chance to chop them (do potatoes and carrots early if you can). I also half cook potato in the microwave so it's softer at the end.

I have a 3l Ronson and it's brilliant. A full batch makes enough for dinner for DH and I, plus another 4 serves to freeze, more if you mix it with some rice, pasta or quinoa afterwards. A full batch for DS makes about 10 serves of dinner, which I freeze in small plastic containers or snap lock bags, labelled and dated.

Saves a lot of money too! I use it before I do my fruit and veg shopping and use up all the veg, no wastage!

[pookiesossige]

Not something that gets used in summer because 1) hot food ain't my thing on 40 degree days:no: and 2) they all generate some degree of heat around them. I love using them in winter partly because of that- the warmth and smell in the kitchen is divine!

However, now that it's cooled down, mine is permenantly on my kitchen bench and in use several times a week :D:yes: And I just have the original 70's retro orange 'crock pot' slow-cooker. 35 years old and still the best appliance I have!!


Favorite uses:
Slow-cooked lamb shanks..
Chicken or beef casseroles...
Extra tasty bolognaise/stroganoff etc
The creamiest, yummiest comfort food like porridge and creamed rice....*drooool*

Basically, I love it because we produce good, cheap food with enough leftovers to freeze for DH's lunches and for the kids to eat the next day. We can add whatever vegies we have in the fridge or garden, use soup, tomatoes or a little stock as a base and go from there. Get a slow cooker!!! :D:thumbsup:

[Missus S]

We bought one in February and have used it at least once a week since then............love it!

We spent $100 on a 6 litre Russell Hobbs one but both my Mum and Sister have bought cheaper brands since and they are OK too. They are often on specials in the catalogues and you can pick one up for like $30 or something.

They are great because you can buy cheaper cuts of meat and make up big batches of food so you have leftovers.

[InSaneOne]

i love mine. a friend brought me one just after the birth of my second child 4 months ago and i use it at least once a week. i would love to use it more but dh isn't a big fan of casseroles and stews. it makes a mean roast. i have chicken drumsticks that i need to cook for dinner tonight so about 2pm i will be putting a dozen drumsticks into it and cooking it on low. they will be so juicy and tender by 5pm that i only need to cook some rice or pasta and veges to go with it just before i serve at 6.30pm

if you find that you aren't using it much you can always sell it/pass it on to someone else.

[michelleB]

i love my slowcooker! when i get home i can smell the dinner as i come in the door and i think ' thank you slow cooker!'. the best thing is you dont have to do anything but chop and mix. then the meal is ready whenever, so even if bubs takes ages to go down, the dinner is done, which means DP can eat without me if he needs to. plus the food stays at the right temp without drying out or burning. and you can use cheap cuts of meat and it still comes out delicious. i mostly cook stews and things, but in summer i cook chops and chicken wings and make salads to go with it. you gotta get one! slow cookers are awesome!!!!

[mamajess]

Wow I thought they'd be some positive feedback but everyone has GUSHED!! I am definitely getting one! How exciting! ebay here I come....