[Springlands]

I have been considering buying a slow cooker and have a query for any peeps who already have one. When you are cooking stews do the veggies get all soggy or do they stay reasonably firm.

Now that I see that written down it seems a funny question but I really do not like soggy veggies. 

[mumofstig]

sorry - but surely the veg are supposed to be soggy in  a stew because they are cooked for so long 
A slowcooker does 'just what it says on the tin' it cooks a stew slowly for hours to tenderise meat and veg, in the same way you cook a casserole in the oven for hours.

[Springlands]

Hi MOS - normally when I cook a stew/casserole I put in the meat, onions and seasoning first and then add the other veggies (carrots etc) later on so that they do not get soggy - is that possible with a slow cooker.

[Auntiemogs]

I don't like soggy veggies either Springlands but I do love stew made in the slow cooker.  
I think that with any method you have to consider the cooking time and I always cut my veg fairly chunky, as I do the meat (1" chunks).
I suppose if you cut the meat smaller and the veg. larger, it would stay relatively firm. The taste is wonderful.
I roast chicken in mine with a few tablespoons of water and it falls off the bone and tastes fantastic.  
Well worth the small investment considering you just throw it all in and leave it to do its thing!
Mags  

[Springlands]

Thanks for the suggestions Mags. At this time of year it would be really good not to have to stop work in the garden to start to cook dinner - as you said just throw it all in and go and do better things.

[mumofstig]

Hi MOS - normally when I cook a stew/casserole I put in the meat, onions and seasoning first and then add the other veggies (carrots etc) later on so that they do not get soggy - is that possible with a slow cooker.

Yes, you can add things as you go along, but to me the whole point is that I can bung things in in the morning and forget about them, even go out for the day - and come back to the finished stew  

[plum crumble]

well - you would be surprised how firm veggies stay after hours in a slow cooker  - they never mush. I have done stews where the meat has fallen apart - but the carrots and spuds etc keep their shape, but have beautifully absorbed the juices - you have no worries there

[Springlands]

Thanks everybody - Plum you have just made me hungry at the thought of a lovely stew. Yummmmm.

[Yorkie]

Many veggies take longer to cook than the meat does, sort of.  Carrots in particular are best chopped up small and put at the bottom.

Some other veggies don't take as long, but remember if you take the lid off to add 30 minutes' cooking time because it takes that long for it to come back up to temperature.

[Spana]

Is there any difference in flavour-or anything else- in a dish cooked in a slow cooker to one slow cooked in a casserole in the oven.   other than the power used that is

I do have a slow cooker but never use it, I always do casseroles which i like more than roasts.

I know lots of you use them and love them so tell me a reason to get it down from the top shelf and try it, please

[DD.]

Just get it down & try it for yourself!

Despite recent IT advances, you can't convey taste, aroma & texture via a PC yet.

[Springlands]

Just get it down & try it for yourself!

Despite recent IT advances, you can't convey taste, aroma & texture via a PC yet.

    Might happen someday - not. 

[Herb]

They are so cheap now, I can see no arguments for not having one.

Ours cost about £12 from Clas Ohlson, but I have seen them in supermarkets for about the same.

Amazing stews, and coming in from work to the smell of it cooking away is fantastic!

[Spana]

Just get it down & try it for yourself!

Despite recent IT advances, you can't convey taste, aroma & texture via a PC yet.

Well, i'm a bit old fashioned and will stick with my old cast iron casseroles unless someone can say why a slow cooker gives a better result You do get all the taste , aroma & texture you would ever want doing it in the oven DD

The other thing is i will usually put 3 casseroles in together, so i would need some convincing

But I would be interested to know why others use them over a casserole in the oven

[Auntiemogs]

The other thing is i will usually put 3 casseroles in together, so i would need some convincing

But I would be interested to know why others use them over a casserole in the oven

I have a mahoosive one Spana and fill it right to the top so there is plenty for several meals.  I can't lift heavy pans into the oven so I just fill it up and press the button. I even roast large beef joints in it. Then my son cleans it for me!  Hungry now...