Slow Cookers

[Frozzie]

Just wanted opinions on what slow cookers you have for those of you who have them, what brand it is, what you think of them and also any suggestions on cookbooks for them??? oh and how much you use them??  Thankyou lovelies 

[obbie]

 Frozzie, I just have a Belle brand. It was $40 from BIG W. Holds about 6 litres.

I make stews, casseroles in them, a lot of chicken dishes.
just put all the meat/veg in, and what stock / water, herbs, spices.

I just make things up as I go.

I use our at least 1 or 2 times a week.


I do a chicken curry, with coconut cream, and chickpeas which is yummy.

My thermomix nearly every night, and all weekend.
there are alot of recipes on line for slow cookers / crockpots

Robyn

[johnro]

I have a Breville (Avance meal maker model) and I really like it. Great when cooking for larger numbers (and believe me if I don't really watch what goes in my mouth I become one      ), kidding aside I never cook corned beef, pickled pork etc by any other method, the shape is ideal to fit lamb shanks with the keep warm setting being so convenient. I have found the AWW Slow cooking books great (same as all their recipe books), there is a great potato bake done in the SC which is popoular every time  it is served.  Hope this helps Frozzie!!!!1

                                 

[Halex]

I habe a George Foreman brand. It has a ceramic bowl, it got chipped, i havent bought a new one as yet. Nect purchase will be an upgrade to one with a stainless steele bowl. It is still useable.

Before tm, it was used 2-3 times per week in winter. Now i use it for silverside and lamb shanks. Would probably use it more if it wasnt at the back of my cupboard, also i still get so much pleasure using my tm.
The WW book s great, loads of recipes on line.

Hally

[Yvette]

I have a Breville same as Robyn, there is a new one on the market now you can remove the middle and place it straight onto the hotplates if you want to brown something first only using the one thing. This is a little dearer but I will be getting that one when mine dies. The insert on mine is sometimes a pain to wash, although DH does it. I would like to use mine more must find some new recipes

[johnro]

That one is also programmable Yvette - the browning function would certainly be so handy. 

[ahoney]

I'm looking for one with a stainless steel insert/bowl, apparently the ceramic ones leach a "safe" amount of lead into the food!

[Halex]

Thanks for that ahoney that justifies me throwing mine out and buying a new one. YAY

H

[Amanda]

I have the one that lets you brown on the stove-top and really love it.  It is a good size and save on washing up. I don't use mine as much as I should, but find it very handy both in the cold weather as well as the hot weather when I can slow cook a pot roast or pulled pork without heating up the kitchen.

[Halex]

Amanda, what brand do you have? I like the browning ootion.

Wont buy ie until next winter, but feel i can throw my other one out now. Silly me, but i need to jutify thungs.

I amalso wondering if I really need one nw i have tm and also my new Le Creuset pots.

Silverside is my only problem but think youbcoukd put that in the oven on 160 for hours.

I am a stay at home mum, so not needed for dinners.

Hally

[CreamPuff63]

I'm a Pressure Cookin' gal, and can recommend them 100%

[Frozzie]

thanks girls that gives me something to get started to look at.... 

[leesmac78]

Oh glory - we have two of the jolly things.  Have not gone near the jolly things since the arrival of Thermie!  And we have two pressure cookers that never see the light of day now either.  Ed used to swear by the slow cooker.  I did use it from time to time, particularly in the wintertime. Might need to start ebaying some of these items...

[katesjoy]

I love Sally Wise's slow cooker book

[Frozzie]

thanks katesjoy...will check that one out too..

i have a pressure cooker but since thermie not much else in kitchen appliances get used just mainly saucepans and oven dishes etc but I have been interested in getting a slow cooker just to change it up a bit for a while now...and it will help on the days that i dont want something quick but dont have the time to cook...

for those of you who have them and use them does it create great flavours like when you simmer a dish for hours??