slow cookers - any risk?

[SpydieNut]

hi all

thinking of getting a slow cooker as we're getting home too late to have hours to prepare a nice, healthy meal.

are there any risks with slow cooking - meat in particular? someone said the temp never gets high enough to kill all the bugs that should be killed, prior to eating.

i'd like to go ahead , but don't want to do us all in with undercooked meat. is this the reason why they went out of fashion?

also - what's a good one to get?

the recipes (i bought a book already ) look delicious



thanks

SN

[escargot]

You can eat raw meat providing it's fresh enough or been treated/cured correctly.

However, with a slow cooker, some people suggest browning the meat prior to adding it to the cooker, this should do the job of killing off any surface bacteria if that's a concern to you.

As for actually cooking the meat, i've never had a problem with it being underdone, providing you follow the recipe correctly you'll be fine... it's just like cooking lamb in the oven at 50 degrees for 24 hours. It does cook through but it becomes beautifully tender.

[SpydieNut]

thanks - full steam ahead then

i may brown the meat initially, but it would seem to defeat the object of time saving - just tossing all ingredients in a pot while on the way out the door to work.

also - which is a good one to get?

[escargot]

To be honest, the only reason I bother browning the meat is for that extra layer of flavour it generates. You don't have to though, you can just whack it all in the pot and really, that's the beauty of it.

We got bought one that's apparently big enough for 2, it's not though (particularly when I like to make more than necessary to freeze it etc). My bro got one of the own brand tesco versions which is pretty much identical to mine but much larger. He hasn't had a problem with it.

[SpydieNut]

escargot said:

To be honest, the only reason I bother browning the meat is for that extra layer of flavour it generates. You don't have to though, you can just whack it all in the pot and really, that's the beauty of it.

We got bought one that's apparently big enough for 2, it's not though (particularly when I like to make more than necessary to freeze it etc). My bro got one of the own brand tesco versions which is pretty much identical to mine but much larger. He hasn't had a problem with it.

thanks

i'm looking at a 5.7l one - there's 4 of us to feed and i like making enough to do 2 meals

[bint]

Someone bought us the Kenwood 'Curry' cooker (simply an electric slow cooker) and it has been used many a time for curries and stews. Perfect for saturdays when rugger is on at the pub and you can come home to a stew :P

Definitely takes sufficient for 4 as I frequently freeze half.

http://www.kenwoodworld.com/uk/product_detail.php?...