​Tip Store: Slow Cooker Hints

Ready To Cook Freezer Meals

​I have been making freezer ready crockpot meals. When I buy my meat, chicken etc. I come home and make up ziplock bags with the whole crockpot meal, squeeze out all the air and write instructions and use by date (3 months) on the bag and put it in the freezer. When I have a busy day coming up, I thaw one meal overnight and pop in the crockpot in the morning. At dinnertime I only have to add sides. It's healthy, soaves so much time and no money spent on take-away. 
Contributed by Marissa Tanti

Perfect Slow Cooker Roasting

Usually when you're cooking a chicken or piece of beef in the slow cooker you need to either use a rack or balls of foil to keep it raised. This is so it doesn't stew in it's own juices, but rather roasts. 

Instead of wasting foil, use whole potatoes. Scrub them, but leave the skins on, then arrange them in the base of the slow cooker. Place your chicken or beef on top and cook.

The potatoes will cook in the juices, becoming soft and delcious, and the chicken or beef will "roast" away. It's usually fork tender by the time it's cooked. Serve it with the potatoes, and use the juices in the bottom to make gravy. 

Yum!
Contributed by Ann Fergusson

​Slow Cooker Must Have

Your Slow Cooker MUST have a removable bowl. Always brown your meat before putting it in the Slow Cooker.
Contributed by Pat Parkin, 16th April 2018

​Another Breville Slow Cooker Fan

I was very fortunate to win a Breville Fast Slow Pro. It sauté's, stir fries, slow cooks and pressure cooks. Everything I make is successful. Once meals are cooked, it goes into keep warm mode. We took it away on our 3 month caravan holiday and recently on a weekend getaway. There are Facebook pages devoted to slow cooking. 
Contributed by Gwen Grosvenor, 15th April 2018

​Facebook for Slow Cooker Advice

I don't have a specific slow cooker to recommend, but if you join your local Buy Nothing group on Facebook, you can ask if someone has one to give away. Frequently they will be much better quality than you could afford yourself, or an oldie but a goodie that will last forever.
Contributed by Sarah Wise, 14th April 2018

​No Need for a "Flash" Brand

I bought a no big brand for $29.00 a few years ago and it is still going strong but it is a small 4 litre one. I bought my son a 6 litre one from Kmart for the same price and he uses it all the time as he is a single dad that works full time with 3 growing boys. I don't think you need to buy a flash brand name one; they all work the same. And I freeze the leftovers for another day.
Contributed by  Karen Witek, 13th April 2018

​Look for Op Shop Bargains at a Better Price

Try your local op shop, they usually have a few to choose from at a much better price. The option of an "auto" setting is great as it will turn down and simmer until you get home from work. Yes, some of the more expensive cookers have fancy options, but they are not necessary. I've had my cheap brand for years. Think about the size that will suit you best, if you have the freezer space I'd recommend a larger size cooker.
Contributed by Jenny McManus, 12th April 2018

​Watch for Department Store Sales

I got a new slow cooker late last year, and although I have only used about six times am already in love with it and plan to use it a lot during winter months. It's a 'Russell Hobbs' 6 lt. cooker. Got it at Harris Scarf, watch for when they are on special.
Contributed by  Margaret Trounce, 12th April 2018

KambrooK!

Had mine for ages, big capacity (great for freezer meals), never fails and was cheap to start with. Also bought a Thermos Thermal Cooker for camping. Two pots you just bring to temperature, then stick in the outer pot and leave for hours. The beauty of this is you can cook two different items e.g. Curry and rice or stew and pudding etc. and it uses no power. How Cheapskates is that?
Contributed by  Fiona Hofmeyer, 12th April 2018

Breville is a Trusted Brand

I have had a large Breville slow cooker for 8 years and it is still just as good as when new. I also have a Breville stick blender that is over 10 years old and still going, so i would recommend that brand. Slow cookers warm the house, make it smell delicious and ensure there is a home-cooked meal for dinner, even when you've been out at work all day.
Even the simplest combinations of veggies/meat/lentils and some stock, cook down nicely in the slow cooker. Good luck with experimenting!
Contributed by  Mandy Spink, 12th April 2018

​​Broaden Your Horizons When it Comes to Slow Cookers

My best advice is broaden your horizons and consider an all-in-one cooker. Not only are they an awesome slow-cooker, they are also a pressure-cooker, rice-cooker, pasta-cooker, steamer, and baker! You can do everything from ribs to risotto, cakes to casseroles, and soups to slow-cooked anything! Best thing is, the included recipe book (and online resources) will give you the slow-cook AND the pressure-cook option for relevant recipes. So if you are prepping in the morning, you can select the 8-hour slow-cook option, and if you didn’t have time in the morning and need to whip up dinner after work, you can select the 20-minute pressure-cook option. Same-same! Plus, everything becomes a one-pot meal due to the sauté/sear functions. I have the Philips All-in-one and LURVE it! If you have littlies that are likely to try to open a pressure cooker, then perhaps worth paying the extra for the Pro version, but otherwise save your money and get the original. You’ll wonder what you used to do without it! 
Contributed by  Tracy Cobb, 12th April 2018

​No Fail Slow Cooker Silverside

I cook silverside in my slow cooker all the time. I cook it on slow for about 8 hours. I put in cloves, vinegar, sugar, bay leaves, and a chopped onion. I have never had a bad piece of meat since I started doing this.
Contributed by Cheryl Mahony, 1st November 2017