Slow cooker yay or nay?

I have been wanting a new slow cooker for some time and had not got round to getting one. Went to john Lewis pensioners lunch last week and won one in the raffle!!! RESULT!

Marks and Spencer have a very good recipe book for slow cookers - gives a lot of info about the different cookers available plus mouthwatering recipes - £6 - bought one last week to get more ideas and have just been reading it.

Oooh, what is the John Lewis pensioners lunch gma? Sounds interesting x

Just bought a slow cooker from Lidl..........it was only £13.99!
Can't really go wrong can I? Need to gather enough energy now to open the box

Welcome to the slow cooker club Lona, may you spend many happy hours enjoying the results of your prep! I cooked my gammon hock yesterday with , potatoes, carrots, parsnip, turnip,onion, pearl barley, bay leaves, black pepper corns and veggie stock cube, absolutely delish, lovely to come home to after an afternoons walk.

Well nanapug...........JL Pensioners lunches are for retired partners and their partners/spouses/carers etc. There are certain criteria to be met before you are eligible, length of service etc. Most branches and Waitrose have one and it's free for the retired partner and a nominal payment for a guest (if you want to bring one!!!) ours this year was a very good meal (3 course) glass of wine etc etc and a raffle (where I won the slow cooker) it's a lovely way to keep in touch with retired work friends. We have local retirement meetings, (organised and financed by the pensioners) speakers, visits etc, or a trip to the local end of the pier show!!!Well that's how our local one works. There must several gransnetters who are retired JL partners, perhaps they can let us know what they do??

There's a nice little book called Slow cooking just for yourself by some body called Catherine Atkinson - Amazon have the paperback at £5.75.

I've just made a batch of vegetable and lentil soup in my slow cooker - the smell was gorgeous. I'll freeze it in portions to have with my breadmaker bread. I love a gadget! I still use the toasted sandwich maker I bought over 20 years ago.

Do you think I could cook my gammon in the slow cooker? I usually simmer it on the hob. If I did it in the slow cooker, how long should I cook it for? It weighs 1.8kg

Yes, Gammon is wonderful in the slow cooker. Rub half a cup of brown sugar into it, pop it in on low and leave for 6 hours or so, no water, tip the remaining brown sugar in with it. Its sheer heaven. If you got the thick skin you can cut that off and crisp it under the grill later if you like.. or not. Thats what we are having Christmas Day, my husband and me. On our own for the first time in our lives I think!! Not a child, grandchild, sister, brother, cousin, friend, hanger on in site. Wonder if we will like it? Let you know later.

oops. forgive the spelling mistakes!

Thanks tilly , not sure if I would be brave enough to do it without water though!

The one I've just bought says not to use it without liquid, so check yours phoenix.

I've been looking at cookbooks today but didn't buy one as all the recipes started on the stove and then it was all transferred to the slow cooker.
I have had one before but I can't remember much about it!
What I'm trying to ask get on with it woman is...........is it worth getting a cook book or shall I just follow my instincts?

Try just Googling, Lona and you will find enough slow cooker recioes online to keep you fed for decades. The principles are easy enough - long and slow. You will soon get the feel for how to use it.

I would be very reluctant to use my slow cooker without liquid !

Believe me, it works! I kept having to peek every half hour the first time, but there is soon liquid in the bottom from the meat, so its ok. Really!!!

Yes, I've used mine without liquid, cooked a whole chicken in it stuffed with an onion, there is loads of stock at the end which sets to a jelly, so good for you when used as a soup base.

I've done the same, Caz - including the onion! Sometimes I'll substitute a well-pricked lemon for the onion.

Can I ask you all, well the ones who have cooked without water/stock, does your instruction book say that it's ok?

Not that I always follow instructions you understand , just checking really.

My original slow cooker - a prestige - actually said to add no liquid as enough was produced by the meat and vegetables themselves. I only ever put in the minimum amount.

My slow cooker was second hand from a friend who was emigrating, so I have no instructions.

I thought I'd break mine in gently with a corned beef hash, then my dd phoned to ask if she could stay here tonight. I told her what we would be eating, and she said "I had that last night!"

She must like it then -- if she was home that is

I have googled using a slow cooker without liquid and it seems to be ok but I think I would add a spoonful or two to get the steam going.

I cook a joint of brisket in mine without adding water, just sprinkle herbs on top. When served there is always plenty of juice for a gravy.