I hope you will not be slow to answer this question, folks.

[JonnyBoy12]

I have recently learned to cook a few things but would like to know more. Can anyone here tell me a good slow cooker to buy and what would be a good meal to cook in it?

What sort of price range am I looking at and what sizes do they come in?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[DaisyNonna]

Go on line for best deals. If you live alone go for the smaller size. Good for casseroles, curries, stews, soups. Most come with a cookery book. Otherwise again you will find them on line. Good luck.

[gingejbee]

One of the cheapest Best Buys in Which? is the Cookworks Signature from Argos at £20. Then go to The Works (cheapo bookshop) for a slow-cooker recipe book at 99p. Lots of ideas and recipes.

[grasscarp]

I got one from tesco around £9 though they may be £12 now. Excellent. Have done veg soup and a salmon risotto. My daughter uses hers most days as you put it on in morning and by early evening supper for children and later ready for husband. Flavours are great, no loss of liquid and. Food does not spoil as it doesnt over cook.

[tenrec]

I bought a bigger one and cook, then freeze half the contents for a future meal.

[erin-x]

My brothers girlfriend was making Goulash the last time we were there... It sounded delicious but we were leaving that day :|

[nungate]

I have a slow cooker from Lakeland, I also got a cook book there as well which we use often. They have the cookers in different sizes so you would be able to find something to suit. They do have a website which you could check out.

[JonnyBoy12]

Thanks for your ever helpful answers, folks. As you can see I do not yet know everything about cooking. The price of these things seems to be all over the place but I suppose you get what you pay for. I will have a look in Brum next time I am there as what you can not get there is not worth having.

Do you think that we could all have an AB slow cooker evening? Sounds good to me.

[humbersloop]

Try the "Properly Explained" title jonny, it'sg ood - and secondhand for a penny too!

http://www.amazon.co....723875&rnid=184297031

[humbersloop]

* good

[percypineapple]

We had a slow cooker, and slow is the word for it. put the ingredients in at 8 AM,
Still not cooked by 5 PM. found it much easier to cook a stew or similar in the microwave, just 20 mins to cook and you can prepare the ingredients in the morning, stick them in a dish, keep it in the fridge, bang it into the micro any time you want. still tastes good.

[grasscarp]

Looks like slow cooker is a bit like marmite in that you are either sold, or dont like it. I am sold. It is perfect for people who dont quite know when they will be in, and if someone else is eating another time. Benefits it wont spoil and costs very little to actually cook things. I have just baby sat this weekend. Daughter went away Saturday morning leaving Bolognese in slow cooker. We had this for Sat night, and turned it on again today lunchtime. Great - so tasty. Unlike conventional cooking, no loss of liquid.

[shaneystar2]

Not convinced on microwave stew percy.

I'm on my third slow cooker in nearly forty years .
Best bit of kitchen gear ever invented .
I cook joints of meat in it ,brisket ,leg of lamb ,chicken,gammon etc and comes out mouthwateringly tender .Same with stews , casseroles ,soups
It makes lovely rice pud and porridge .

What on earth sort of meat did have that wasn't cooked after nine hours ?

[humbersloop]

I'm with shaney and grasscarp big stylee

[owdhamer]

Mrs Owd bought our's in Tesco last year for £12.

[jamesnan]

I do prefer to brown meat and soften onions when I put these in the cooker, since I think it cooks better afterwards. I usually add chopped veg to the browned meat and onions, and also put in stock/gravy etc. so that the whole lot is hot when it is left to cook. Cook mine on automatic setting, and have never had a problem with it.
It makes lovely rice pudding which I usually do with 1 litre of longlife milk, and keep the leftover in the fridge to warm later.