Recommend a slow cooker?

CantGetNoSleep

Looking for a first slow cooker, probably buying from Amazon DE? Anything in particular I should look for, or any specific one to get?

Cheshire Cat

Slow cookers are very simple gadgets. There's no point in spending a lot of money on one. Aldi will have slow cookers for sale next Thursday (April 20), price is €19.99

More info here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=101419917

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=58706572

Layinghen

Agree totally with Cheshire Cat get the Aldi one as your first slow cooker. It will do all you require.

Shenshen

I think the slow cooker I've got was from Aldi (or could have been Lidl, either way it was one of the cheap special offers ones). I've had it for years now, and am definitely happy with it. My advise would be to go for one of them, they're not very complicated things so there's little point spending good money on a brand name.

arian

We've got one of those Aldi slow cookers (though branded Crofton), and it's very good. However, it's 6.5 litres, which is big. The OP may be better off with a 3.5 litre model.

The OP also mentions Amazon.de. Don't know if this will be available this week in Aldi Germany - couldn't see it on their website, but I didn't try very hard.

Pistachios & cream

As others have said they are simple machines so cheap is the way to go. The only thing i would look out for is to buy an oval rather than a round one. i have a 3.5 liter round one and it can be hard to fit some larger things in it. I also read somewhere that oval cookers distribute heat better.

dxhound2005

I have two of them a large oval and a smaller round one. I mostly use them to make batches of porridge which I keep in the fridge and heat up portions in the microwave. The only thing which would help would be a timer, because I have forgotten about the porridge on occasions and overcooked it. Separate timers can be got for cookers without timers.

They are simple technology and the only variation I have seen online is the ones with stirring devices attached to the lid. More expensive, but might improve certain recipes, including porridge.

http://www.crock-pot.com/slow-cookers/crock-pot-6-quart-digital-slow-cooker-with-istir-stirring-system/SCCPVC600AS-P.html

Porridge "recipe". One measure of porridge e.g. pint glass, two measures of water, handful of golden raisins. Allow to soak overnight, add some milk and give it about 8 hours on low (in my oval slow cooker). Stir at about 6 hours to break up the skin that forms. Allow to cool completely and it is easy to remove to a container for the fridge. One pint makes about 5 or 6 portions which keep well for a few days. Heat a portion in the microwave, add some cold milk and a banana and it is a very quick and tasty breakfast.

phormium

Of all the things to use a slow cooker for is porridge not the greatest waste of electricity ever

Sure a portion would be cooked in the microwave in practically the same time it takes to heat it up or are you using the pinhead oatmeal or some type that takes longer to cook than the usual stuff?

I have two as well, the oval and the round, just because I got them both very cheap. I do a lot of stew type things and use the oval for whole chickens or joints of meat. I actually use it more on high than on low setting as I don't like food in it for a very long length of time but luckily I am not depending on it to be on while out at work for example. I just find it handier to use for a lot of recipes even if I am at home all day. A stew/casserole put in at lunchtime on high will be just perfect by dinnertime without having to use cooker or oven.