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Slow cookers
Posted: 04 Dec 2013, 16:25
by RenewableCandy
An older-and-wiser Renewable has offered to buy us one for Xmas, but put the actual purchase in my hands (this is not an unusual prezzie tactic in Famille Renewable). And so I shamelessly tap into The Great PS Fount Of Knowledge...
Has anybody here got one? Recommend any particular make-or-model? Anything to look out for?
All info/thoughts greatfully received.
Posted: 04 Dec 2013, 16:55
by woodburner
How about using only minimum power?
This is one example of minimum fuel use. A passive slow cooker. (Bet you were hoping for something that would increase your power consumption
) There are plenty of links if you search "wonder bags".
Posted: 04 Dec 2013, 17:04
by Snail
I used a slow cooker all the time when living in a glasgow bedsit. No steam, can leave it to cook itself, even made jam in it. I think they're great. Get a cheap one with a hi/low switch. And a slow cooker recipe book.
That wonderbag looks a waste of money to me. Why not just use a pot/food vacumn flask and wrap it in blankets or some other insulation.
Posted: 04 Dec 2013, 17:51
by woodburner
By the same token, a powered slow cooker can be waste of money, there will always be an alternative. Try a positive comment instead of negative. I have seen dozens of electric units of all sorts bought by or for people. They get used a few times, then ignoired as they don't fit in with the lifestyle. Buying cheap can be expensive.
Posted: 04 Dec 2013, 18:05
by Snail
I was being positive: for an electric one that is
. The bags look great, just too expensive for what they are imo. Maybe you can get cheaper ones elsewhere, and at least you can say they'll last a lifetime+use a variety of pots with them.
Posted: 04 Dec 2013, 18:44
by woodburner
Fabric is expensive stuff if it's any good. Even then it won't last a lifetime. Repairs would extend its life, the bad bit is the polystyrene, though having said that it supposedly uses less energy and materials to provide adequate insulation.
Used twice per week you could recoup the purchase cost in electricity in 1 year.
Posted: 04 Dec 2013, 22:51
by RenewableCandy
It doesn't say whether the fabric is washable. Cloth and food are not a good combo if it isn't! Apart from that, though, it looks like a good idea.
D'you know I don't even know whether all slow cookers need the food to be brought to boiling first: or do some have a 2-stage process?
Posted: 05 Dec 2013, 01:05
by SleeperService
Yes, some are two stage others have different heat levels for different food types.
In my experience getting one with a detachable liner is a very good idea (buy a second when you get the cooker) makes it easy to clean after use and could be replaced in the event of a domestic disaster.
My brother has a decent one I'll find out what it is and advise.
Posted: 05 Dec 2013, 01:46
by woodburner
Found in the comments section
Q: Why did you buy a Wonderbag?
A: I bought it because my electric slow cooker had malfunctioned. It had been overcooking food, and I didn’t trust it any more, I needed to get a new one.
I liked that you can leave the Wonderbag, and it’s not plugged in or using any electricity. And that I could take it camping, or to the beach. I like the idea that you can take it anywhere… And it looks good.
Posted: 05 Dec 2013, 02:57
by kenneal - lagger
We've got one of
these and one of
these to go with it which work really well, especially when placed on a cork mat with a tea cosey over the top. There's a bit of heat conduction from the handle which sticks out but the cosey takes care of that. It's more expensive than the bag but does include the cooking pot.
Posted: 05 Dec 2013, 07:12
by woodburner
That was a handy link KL, as I found
this. I've already got a dual-flush but you have to work to save water with it. With this one you have to work to use water.
Posted: 05 Dec 2013, 11:27
by emordnilap
kenneal - lagger wrote:We've got one of
these and one of
these to go with it which work really well, especially when placed on a cork mat with a tea cosey over the top. There's a bit of heat conduction from the handle which sticks out but the cosey takes care of that. It's more expensive than the bag but does include the cooking pot.
I might have missed something but how exactly do you cook with it, Ken? What is the heat source? Honestly, I couldn't see anything on the website that explained it.
Posted: 05 Dec 2013, 12:02
by PS_RalphW
I'm guessing you heat the food to boiling point on a regular stove, then transfer it to the super-insulated pot where it stews in its own heat until it is cooked.
Posted: 05 Dec 2013, 16:52
by RenewableCandy
Yes I think that's it because "sub for a Hay-Box" is mentioned.
I'm not sure how my elders-and-wisers'd react if I bought one of those! Anyway thanks for the link and keep 'em coming
Posted: 05 Dec 2013, 17:26
by kenneal - lagger
PS_RalphW wrote:I'm guessing you heat the food to boiling point on a regular stove, then transfer it to the super-insulated pot where it stews in its own heat until it is cooked.
10/10 and a Gold star.
It might look high tech and expensive compared to a hay box but there was a chance of getting this into the kitchen whereas a messy box of hay or polystyrene stood no chance. I've now got to get it used more often.