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Slow cookers

EmerionEmerion Posts: 599
in The potting shed
The Lidl air-dryer thread reminded me about my aunt’s slow-cooker, which I inherited, being the only keen cook in the family. She had it stored at the back of a high cupboard, which tells its own tale. The first time I tried it, on low, I went back to check on it, and the stew was bubbling really hard. Unsurprisingly, the meat was tough as old boots, and I never used it again. I had quite fancied a slow cooker until I tried this one. 

So, I wanted to ask slow-cooker users out there - should it have been bubbling very slightly on low, as I expected? Was this one faulty, and are there some good and bad brands? If so what would you recommend?
Carmarthenshire (mild, wet, windy). Loam over shale, very slightly sloping, so free draining. Mildly acidic or neutral.


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Posts

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Sounds like that one was faulty. There should just be little bubbles around the edges and the odd pop in the middle.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • rowlandscastle444rowlandscastle444 Posts: 2,612
    edited August 2023
    It depends on the type of slow cooker.

    Our first one (now 34 years old) simmers away slowly, and takes all day to cook.
    @Emerion

    The first one.



    The second one.



    Apologies for the lousy pics. I'm not holding a camera steady today.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I have one of these 
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crock-Pot-Slow-Cooker-3-5-Red/dp/B007XEJ322 

    Cheap & cheerful … I’ve had it about ten years. It’s the second or maybe third one I’ve had over many years. J use it lots … at least once a week in the summer and maybe four or five times a week in the winter. It’s big enough for a whole (3.5lb ish) decent sized chicken to fit in to ‘pot-roast’. 
    When cooking a casserole it does bubble (eventually) on Slow … but not for several hours. I expect a casserole made of beef shin to be perfectly tender in about 7 hours. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • EmptyheadtimeEmptyheadtime Posts: 366
    I have a cheap one from tescos and it doesn’t bubble. I love how tender it makes even a cheap joint of meat after about 8hrs. 
  • EmerionEmerion Posts: 599
    OK , thanks, that was what I was hoping to hear. I think I’ll get one then. 
    Carmarthenshire (mild, wet, windy). Loam over shale, very slightly sloping, so free draining. Mildly acidic or neutral.


  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    edited August 2023
    Mine has three settings, high, low and warm. I use high to get things started then turn it down and leave it. Even on high it doesn't bubble furiously. It's a Tesco one, cost £10 if I remember rightly (I've had it quite a few years).
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • EmerionEmerion Posts: 599
    Thanks, @rowlandscastle444, @Dovefromabove, @Emptyheadtime & @JennyJ. I should also have asked, what size do you recommend ? There are 2 of us, but I do batch cook a lot.
    Carmarthenshire (mild, wet, windy). Loam over shale, very slightly sloping, so free draining. Mildly acidic or neutral.


  • tui34tui34 Posts: 3,493
    Hello @Emerion

    I too, have a slow cooker and it is my friend!  

    I use it during the winter for lots of different dishes.  I am really pleased with it as the meat comes out tender and juicy.  

    I also had a crock pot in NZ when I was a 9-5er. I'd put it on before I left for work and the divine smell coming home on a winter's evening was almost worth all that financial stress!
    A good hoeing is worth two waterings.

  • rowlandscastle444rowlandscastle444 Posts: 2,612
    edited August 2023
    These are the details for the more modern one we have. Still on sale on Amazon. It does for four people. There's only two of us, so it does for two meals.

    It may not be large enough if you want to batch cook.

  • EmerionEmerion Posts: 599
    Would that be for 4 with all of the veg & potatoes in as well @rowlandscastle444 ? I.e a complete meal, rather than just the main course?
    Carmarthenshire (mild, wet, windy). Loam over shale, very slightly sloping, so free draining. Mildly acidic or neutral.


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