General Chat

I decided to use up some mince from the freezer so thought I would do a big batch in the slow cooker I bought earlier this year. I haven't used it since the first time or so.
Apart from not having the bag of frozen mushrooms I could have sworn was in the freezer, I have all I need for a batch of savoury mince so will nip over and get some and other things we need, in a mo.

However, nowhere can I find the instruction booklet, o.h. has the wonderful system of putting things where only he knows the location and he is at work!

Can someone just tell me how long I have to switch the cooker on for before I put things in, I do have to heat it first don't I? Then I have to start the food off so it's hot before it goes in? and leave it to be magically transformed, or is my memory completely up the creek ?

Will be back later after the quick shopping trip so any help gratefully received, thanks.

Lizx

I put my mince in cold, not all slow cookers have to be heated. But you can fry the mince off and onions etc, if you are using carrots part cook them first or cohp small. heat the stock, tinned tomatoes etc and put all into the slow cooker. if you are cooking for a long time I would do an hour on medium and then about 7/8 hours on low. Cooking for a short time about 4 or 5 hours on high. Take lid off and stir and check it is cooked, if not leave for another hour. But all slow cookers vary so this is only a guestimate.

Thanks Ann, I have tinned chopped carrots and chopped onions ready to fry off with the mince and can go from there. I want to bag most of the mince up for freezing and use the rest tomorrow night, it's always better a day older lol

Mine is a Cookworks slow cooker from Argos.

Lizx

Not the same as mine but there is not a lot of difference. I would go for longer and slow then about 8 hours on low should do it. Check at 7 hours you should be able to tell if it is cooked.

Thanks, it's all bubbling in the big wok I use to cook it, and ready to go in slowcooker. I found a bag of frozen chopped mushrooms so they went in too and it can simmer now in the slowcooker for as long as it needs for the flavours to meld.

I am not the only one who finds a wok very handy other than for stir fry!!!

Chris, I use mine for lots of things, it's a great size and so easy to wash up afterwards too.

Savoury mince was tasty for dinner and three bags full ready for freezer in a little while so some easy meals when I come in late.

Lizx

Whilst I 'seal' meat pre putting in slow cooker with t'other stuff I've never heard of the need to warm up a slow cooker. Ours is donkeys years old. , for example when I make up a curry I'll put mix in the slow cooker whilst it's switched off, add owt else I feel like, put meat, usually with some chopped onion in frying pan give it a quick cook for 3 or 4 minutes to seal it then bung it in slow cooker put cooker on timer for about 3 hours and thats it. Never a problem yet. Never had problem when used to leave meat unsealed either. But.. never put frozen meat into slow cooker make sure fully defrosted first.

Happy cooking

I often load ours up the evening before, and have a timer switch it on, say around 5-6:00 am.on high
so its well on the way by the time we get up........we normally eat 1 pm......ish

Bob

Thanks for the further info, I did put ours on while I browned the meat and onions but will try it again using other meat rather than mince and see how it goes the way you do it. I know the instructions are around somewhere, might find them later today when I have a good clear up.

Lizx

I am such a wally, just remembered I bought my son the same slowcooker so will borrow his instructions and copy them.