Slow Cooker Questions!

Hi there,

I need some advice for those of you who own slow cookers. I have some major health issues that unfortunately are only getting worse. By the end of the day I can hardly keep myself up let alone cook a healthy meal for my family.

My DH is amazing and helps me around the house a lot. I feel bad because he works hard, helps me with the kids and then the housework as well. The last thing I want him to have to do is stand and do dinner at the end of the day. But this is now how it's ending up. Plus on Fridays he isn't home until 8-8:30pm.

We have no one else who can help out and there is only so many can't be stuffed dinners anyone can stand!

So I was thinking with winter coming that a slow cooker might be the way to go. So my questions are:

Is a slow cooker going to help me/is it something you use a lot?
Can I do all my casserole type dishes in the slow cooker instead of the oven - so in my QLD summers I don't have to crank up the hot oven?
What else can I do in it?
Can you use your own home made sauces in it - as the kids have lactose and food intolerances so we can't use those pre-packaged ones?
How long does it usually take to cook things?
Which brand do you have and do you love it?
Which brands should I stay away from - some people have told me that some of them lose their coating after a while and the taste can go into your food?
Is there anything accessory wise I should look out for?

Sorry for the novel. I just wanted you to know where I was coming from and why I am looking at one. I don't want to spend a fortune on just another useless appliance to take up valuable space in my kitchen.

Thanks for you help!

Is a slow cooker going to help me/is it something you use a lot? I probably only use it once a week during summer but nearly every day in winter
Can I do all my casserole type dishes in the slow cooker instead of the oven - so in my QLD summers I don't have to crank up the hot oven?
What else can I do in it? Yes you can do all your casserole dishes in it. I also cook corned meat, curry sausgages, devilled sausages, maracorni cheese, chicken dishes (the only thing i dont like in the slow cooker is mince dishes, i cant not make them taste like mush, but im sure others can)
Can you use your own home made sauces in it - as the kids have lactose and food intolerances so we can't use those pre-packaged ones? yes, you can but its sometimes a bit of trial and error in how much water you put in
How long does it usually take to cook things? i have a larger style one so i put it on at 12 and its cooked by 6, my parents have a small one as it is just the two of them and they put theres on by 9 to be ready by 6 (thats the hours they work so its on med)
Which brand do you have and do you love it? i have a ronson and havent had any problems with it
Which brands should I stay away from - some people have told me that some of them lose their coating after a while and the taste can go into your food? i have had mine for 4 years and i havent noticed that the taste goes into the food, and dh hasnt complained yet either
Is there anything accessory wise I should look out for? not that i can think of

Sorry to hear that your unwell. Maybe also get a vege steamer, cut your veges up in the morning so you just have to turn them on at night.

Thanks for that. I think DH and I might have to go out on have a look at a couple this weekend.

I do usually prepare as much as I can through out the day. But there is just some things you can't as you know.

Unfortunately with my health things don't seem to be looking an better soon or ever. So I am trying to put things in place now that makes life just that little bit easier.

Thanks for the kind words and help I really do appreciate it. I have been a member or years. But just don't get the time or energy to post/answer posts very often.

Thanks again!

Yeah it sucks big time. Not just feeling crappy, but the pain. I mainly feel sorry for my DH and my 2 gorgeous kids. My DD just turned 2 in Jan and my DS just turned 4 in Feb this year. They are so little still.

We try and keep as much of it away from them as we can. But sometimes it's impossible, like the days where I am bed bound. These are days that when I literally get out of bed I pass out, roll into a ball from the pain or have a seizure.

It makes me cry when my DS asks me why I need to keep taking so much medication (I am on 15 different med's a day - that's not including any extra's like panadol and I take them 9 times a day).

That is why I asked so many questions. So I can try and contribute as much as I can to the house as a whole. And even the days where I am bed bound at least DH can use the slow cooker instead of dealing with the kids being grumpy, me and trying to cook something.

Sorry I got off track a little - this was meant to be about slow cookers. I must say it did feel good getting it off my chest a little. It's been a hard week...

Thanks again!

Thanks for listening. I try and stay strong everyday for my kids. They are why I try so hard even when I just want to curl up and give up.

Both of the kid's have very high IQ's and are very advanced for their ages. And my son is a very emotional little boy. They are both mumma's kids to. So sometimes it's a struggle for my DH as you can imagine.

I really do hope that they feel that way in the future. I have tried to make everything pretty hassle free. The last of it is really getting dinner every night. The last few nights DH has had to cook.

When I feel ok I bake and cook enough that there is some to freeze for another time. But the days where I am ok are getting less and less so I need to find something else that will help and I think the slow cooker is the way to go.

Thanks you have been lovely.

DH is getting better with the kids. Like you said time. I don't know if it will ever be second nature to him though. He does his best and he loves them with all his being - so that's all that matters really.

That's a good point about making large quantities in the slow cooker, just like I do now on the stove or in the oven and freeze it for another time. I will make sure to look out for a larger one. So I can cook larger amounts and quicker if needed would be a bonus at times also.

Thanks for that...

i have two slow cookers one is abode brand and it sucks i dont like it so i thought i would let you know

i have two slow cookers one is abode brand and it sucks i dont like it so i thought i would let you know

Thanks for that, very much appreicated. I will make sure to put that on the "no no" list. What brand is your other one and do you like it?

Thanks for that, very much appreicated. I will make sure to put that on the "no no" list. What brand is your other one and do you like it?

cafe range tempo
and thats ok i know how much it xucks to get something that suck and sorry about your pain and troubles

cafe range tempo
and thats ok i know how much it xucks to get something that suck and sorry about your pain and troubles

Thanks for that. I just don't want to convince DH to go and get one and it doesn't do what we want or need it to. Especially seeing it's to cook meals for him and the kids. As I can't eat hardly any solid foods these days. I want it to do the job and the meals taste as good or better than how I would cook them normally.

Your little one has the most intoxicating smile. He is gorgeous. My youngest just turned 2 and I can't believe it has gone so quickly.

Thanks for that. I just don't want to convince DH to go and get one and it doesn't do what we want or need it to. Especially seeing it's to cook meals for him and the kids. As I can't eat hardly any solid foods these days. I want it to do the job and the meals taste as good or better than how I would cook them normally.

Your little one has the most intoxicating smile. He is gorgeous. My youngest just turned 2 and I can't believe it has gone so quickly.

aww thanks smile he will be two soon the time has flown and i know what you mean slow cookers ae good i cook roasts and stuff in them too

Thanks for all your help ladies. You really have been great. And thanks for letting me have a little whinge to!

I will have a chat to DH when he finally gets home tonight about going out this weekend to have a look for a slow cooker. He will be fine with it. Like all Men all I have to say is that it will give him lovely food and make his life easier wink

Again thank you all for your kind thoughts, words and help. You have been great. I will let you know what happens!