Lucy: Why on earth is everyone obsessed with slow cookers?

Rebecca: Well, they’re a convenient way to make healthy and cost-effective meals.

Lucy: But what are they? Do I need to replace my actual cooker with one?

Rebecca: Erm, not quite. A slow cooker isn’t a replacement, but there’s definitely a lot of overlap. You can do most of the same things with your slow cooker as you can with your oven, and often with better results. At its core, it’s basically a portable pot with a lid and heating elements, which is designed to cook your food evenly.

Lucy: So, you can actually leave your slow cooker on and leave the house – is that safe?

Rebecca: Yes! That’s exactly what it was originally designed for. It’s totally safe to leave on while you’re at work, so when you get home you have a delicious dinner waiting for you.

Lucy: Okay, so are there any magical benefits?

Rebecca: Yep, tons. Firstly, it can help you cook more healthily, because fewer nutrients are broken down in the cooking process. I use it to make a lot of one-pot dinners that contain carbs, meat and veg, so I think it also helps you tick off quite a few of your food groups in a single cook. Secondly, it’s cost effective and energy efficient: even at its highest temperature, a slow cooker will only use about 200 watts of energy an hour (depending on its size), while an electric oven can use ten times that amount. Plus, if you’re batch cooking a curry, for example, you can portion up the leftovers and pop them in the freezer, which means you get more meals out of one cook and there’s less wastage.

Lucy: Are there any major slow cooker no-nos?

Rebecca: Don’t put too much water in. And if you’re cooking a roast, make sure you place your veggies and potatoes on the bottom, then your meat on top. Firmer vegetables take longer to cook so doing it this way keeps them in the juices and helps prevent your meat from getting too hot on the bottom. 

Lucy: Hmm, you’re really selling this to me. So, if I’m a rubbish cook, will a slow cooker make me better in the kitchen?

Rebecca: Funny you should say that. My brother is just learning to cook, so I’ve made an easy, six-week, slow-cooker plan for him. He started off with the basics, such as sausage casserole and roasts, but now he’s being really experimental with what he’s making. So, in short, I think a slow cooker can definitely make you more confident in the kitchen. 

Lucy: Does it come with lots of bells and whistles to look out for?

Rebecca: Not really. The main thing to consider before buying is the size. I have a huge one for roasts (I even cooked the Christmas turkey in it last year), a smaller one for casseroles and curries and a dinky size for side dishes. The small versions are also great if you have a vegan or veggie coming for dinner but the rest of you are meat eaters, and vice versa. There are so many different types on the market, you can choose one that reflects your family size. 

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