Who has a slow-cooker?

[nadinastarr]

I have 2, a 5qt and a 7qt! I love using them. They come in handy for making meals in advance. My mom and dad joked because they got one when they were married, and hardly ever used it. My grandma used it for than they did.
Now I have 2 that I use, sometimes at the same time. I used both a few years ago to make Thanksgiving dinner!! I made some baked beans with a ham, in one and macaroni and cheese, in the other. Our favorite recipe is meatloaf though!!

Does anyone have a favorite recipe they use in theirs?

[mgint]

use mine a least once a month makes cooking easy

[taj75657]

My husband does most all of the cooking and sometimes uses a slow cooker. Whenever I do cook I always have some idea for the slow cooker. Before marriage I cooked in it at least twice a week. I just assume everyone has one. Even still that is the firs gift given when one of our families move into a new home. I need to start using them more often. Makes a mean pot roast. I have 3 normal size ones and one that has three combined smaller ones.

[kimber62372]

Love my slow cooker/crock pot! Try to use it a few times a week, usually the night before.

[sak4kat]

I have 2 myself.  One is rather large for doing a decent sized roast, chicken, maybe even a small turkey?  Never tried but I think I should.  I'm diggin the Thanksgiving dinner idea mentioned above.  My husband has a teeny one. (I call it mine now) When he was a bachelor his Mom would slice a hunk of beef off a slab, throw in a few potatoes and that was his meal for a few days. I use it for dips.  Last time I used my biggin' I made a pork roast...added apple cider vinegar to it and WOW! Delicious.

[Nancy5]

I have 2 (a small one and a 6 quart). I use the large one about once a week. 

[patriciaeclevenger]

That's awesome you have different sizes.  I have one crock-pot that I use. I keep saying I need to use it more often because when I do use it it's so convenient and there are so many great recipes to try.

[catherinedwhite]

I love crock pot meals. My problem is coming up with a variety. I end up cooking the same couple of things.

[nannycoe1]

I love slow cooker meals, so easy and the kitchen stays cooler.

[oldbuddy]

We have one of those big oval ones and my favorite meal is Corned Beef and Cabbage in it.

[betlynjua]

At last count, my husband and I have 4.  One of my goals in life is to take out all 4 and get them going at the same time - 3 main dishes and 1 side dish, or, 2 main dishes, one side and one desert. 

Anyway, I have a couple of favorite recipes: one is a chicken reuben and the other is lemon chicken piccata.

My hubby and I were just talking about making the reuben this weekend. 

Sounds like dinner's in the bag; or maybe in the pot. 

[marciaenglish]

I use my slow cooker a lot in the summer to keep the kitchen cooler!  The oven seems to heat the whole  house!

[nadinastarr]

I have 2 myself.  One is rather large for doing a decent sized roast, chicken, maybe even a small turkey?  Never tried but I think I should.  I'm diggin the Thanksgiving dinner idea mentioned above.  My husband has a teeny one. (I call it mine now) When he was a bachelor his Mom would slice a hunk of beef off a slab, throw in a few potatoes and that was his meal for a few days. I use it for dips.  Last time I used my biggin' I made a pork roast...added apple cider vinegar to it and WOW! Delicious.

I have made turkey in mine!! The way I found to do it is to thaw it as much as possible, about 24-48 hours. Take out the packages they come with. Put the bird in the insert, add the gravy mixes, even if it is still icy, and some chicken broth. Because the lid won't fit, we use aluminum foil over it and make sure it stays on when we put the insert in the cooking unit. After that, put it on Low and let it cook for 10-12 hours. Give plenty of time to do everything else!! Plus, less likely to end up with *bleep* bones. The only thing is, the skin does not end up crispy most of the time, BUT it falls right off the bone as you pull it out!!

I've also done Turkey Breast with Dressing!! Turns out great every time!

That's awesome you have different sizes.  I have one crock-pot that I use. I keep saying I need to use it more often because when I do use it it's so convenient and there are so many great recipes to try.

I have a TON of recipes!! What kind of meals do you usually like? I also figured out how to convert a lot of casserole meals for it. It is a lot less heat than the oven. With living here in southern AZ, I use mine frequently to avoid the oven during summer and also I hate cooking on the stove top!!

I love crock pot meals. My problem is coming up with a variety. I end up cooking the same couple of things.

What do you like? I can probably find you a ton of different recipes!!

At last count, my husband and I have 4.  One of my goals in life is to take out all 4 and get them going at the same time - 3 main dishes and 1 side dish, or, 2 main dishes, one side and one desert. 

Anyway, I have a couple of favorite recipes: one is a chicken reuben and the other is lemon chicken piccata.

My hubby and I were just talking about making the reuben this weekend. 

Sounds like dinner's in the bag; or maybe in the pot. 

Awesome!! I'm watching sales so I can get one more!! I have made a few main dishes in them as well as side dishes! I want to be able to make more with mine.

I found several sites that make meals in a Gallon size freezer bag. You freeze them, thaw over night when you want to use them and then just pour the contents in the pot. Some call for a few other ingredients, but for the most part, it's all in the bag!!

I use my slow cooker a lot in the summer to keep the kitchen cooler!  The oven seems to heat the whole  house!

Yes, same here. Supposed to be 100 today and I am rethinking I need to use mine! LOL! I have to clean them both out though, I had made some roasts the other day for taco meat. I'm thinking it's going to be BBQ Pork Ribs and Macaroni and Cheese. Not sure if I want to do that or not. I know I have to cook off the ribs though!

If anyone wants recipes, I will post some of the ones I have, along with the notes that I use to change them. I alter according to our preferences. I also have a group on FB called Kitchen Made, has a cartoon pic of 3 little chefs making soup. If anyone wants to join it, just let me know!! I have most of my recipes there! As well as some tips on how to do Freezer Meals, cooking in bulk and all that!

[sfreeman8]

I have one. I think it's a 6 qt. size, but it's over 20 years old and the insert is cracked halfway through. It's going to be a mess when it totally cracks, but....

I use it mainly for roasts and stuffed peppers. I tried chicken and it was horrible! It was like rubber. Bad enough hubby doesn't like chicken but that night, it was a throwaway meal.

I don't do sides in it either. In fact, I'm lucky if I use it once a week. It's heavy and it's getting hard for me to get it on the counter.

I have a couple Nesco roasters and they can slow cook, too. So, when the crock pot goes, I'll be using the smaller 5 qt. Nesco then.

[debidoo]

I have one and its the large size.  I rarely ever use it just never got into making much in it but I want to get a smaller one because there are only two of us and maybe try to get in the habit of making stuff ahead.