[Springlands]

I like to sear meat before I put it into the slow cooker which means having to use a pot or frying pan. I gave been looking at the new sear and cook slow cookers where the pot can be used on the hob before acting as a slow cooker. Has anyone used one of these and what did you think of it.

[chrissie B]

there are the 8 in 1 pots normally £69 saw one the other day at Dunelm for £49 they slow cook as well as fry , and other stuff .
chrissie b

[Springlands]

Thank you Chrissie - will have to check those out. 

[madcat]

My mother swears by hers - I'm not sure it fries hot enough to caramelise the sugars, but as she is a better cook than me, maybe I am being un-necessarily picky.

[Mrs Bee]

I have one and used it several times.

I like to get the pot very hot to sear the meat and the bottom has bulged at the bottom and no longer sits flat on the hob.

The metal inner also gets very hot and I have burned myself picking it up. You need a thick tea towel to pick it up.

I don't think I would replace it if it stopped working. It would not be on the top of my must have kitchen gadgets.

I tend to start off the meat in a heavy based frying pan then transfer it to the slow cooker.

Although in all honesty I prefer to use the cruset casseroles on the hob.

[devonbarmygardener]

My dad wants to fob off on me a gadget that does everything - fries, roasts, slow cooks - I might take him up on the offer as I always brown off meat before slow cooking too

[chrissie B]

sounds like one of those by Morphy Richards I think that's the name .
where hubby works they have one he says has a grill in the lid its  j m l and more expencive though
chrissie b

[Springlands]

Thank you everyone - I think that I will get one just a case of deciding which one now. Decisions, decisions. 

[Aled]

Hi thinking of getting one as well. Interested in the comments.
Cheers
Aled

[chrissie B]

I would love to get one but have 2 slow cookers  and no where to put it  ha ha
chrissie b

[wighty]

I love my slow cooker but when friends say they have bought one I always say ' cook your onions first, don't do what recipes say and put them in raw'.

[Springlands]

Wighty - that would be the advantage of the sear and cook type, you can pre- cook the onions and meat in the same pot that you then use as a slow cooker. Saves on washing up. 

[chrissie B]

I agree about the onions much better when pre cooked if im browning meat  usually throw the veg in after to pick up all the flavours .
chrissie b

[Headgardener22]

We bought a sear and cook slow cooker recently and have put the old crock one away, this one is soo much better. Yes the pan gets hot but so did the inner part of the crock one.

We got the larger size (because we'd already got a small crock one) but we might go and buy a small one as well.

[Springlands]

I have just ordered mine - will let you all know what I think when I have used it a couple of times.