Want info on a good slowcooker at least 5 QT.
I never used one and want to find out if it is worth it.
I am retired and so I do not load it and leave.
would an oven on low setting do the same ?
Sergio

On Aug 6, 10:30 pm, "Sergio" wrote:
Want info on a good slowcooker at least 5 QT.
I never used one and want to find out if it is worth it.
I am retired and so I do not load it and leave.
would an oven on low setting do the same ?
Sergio

Sergio, you should specify that you don't want to use it for BBQ or
you will get hammered to pieces here. Good luck, sir.

Yes, your oven will do the same thing, but it will do it at a much
greater cost. With a slow cooker you are only heating the vessel you
cook in which is significantly smaller than the oven chamber.
Remember, with an oven you are heating the whole cook chamber with
much larger heating devices (gas/electric) than a small 750 or 1500
watt 110v electric slow cooker.

There is empirical evidence to support this, but I don't remember
where it is. But it is easy enough to see for yourself on the sheer
volume heating and maintaining a certain heat in an oven chamber
compared to the 5qt slow cooker that uses direct heat.

Robert

Sergio wrote:
Want info on a good slowcooker at least 5 QT.
I never used one and want to find out if it is worth it.
I am retired and so I do not load it and leave.
would an oven on low setting do the same ?
Sergio


As a retired person, with no children to feed, My guess is that you
would get better use from a 2 quart model. SWAMBO and I bought a 5
quart model a few years ago, and most of what we cook went into the
trash. (Beans only keep a few days.)

You can cook most anything in one of those things, and I wouldn't be
without.

Shawn Martin wrote:
SWAMBO and I bought a 5
quart model a few years ago, and most of what we cook went into the
trash. (Beans only keep a few days.)

You can cook most anything in one of those things, and I wouldn't be
without.
Nothing to do with slow cookers 'cause I don't own one but
for the leftovers being thrown out, get a Tilia FoodSaver.
I've had them for about 6 years and have thrown nothing out
since I bought my first one.

Here's my current model.
http://foodsaver.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productid=985

--
Steve

Shawn Martin wrote:

Sergio wrote:

Want info on a good slowcooker at least 5 QT.
I never used one and want to find out if it is worth it.
I am retired and so I do not load it and leave.
would an oven on low setting do the same ?
Sergio


As a retired person, with no children to feed, My guess is that you
would get better use from a 2 quart model. SWAMBO and I bought a 5
quart model a few years ago, and most of what we cook went into the
trash. (Beans only keep a few days.)

You can cook most anything in one of those things, and I wouldn't be
without.

I'm a single guy and I have both a 5-qt and a 2 1/2-qt slow cooker.
It's a great way to cook a lot of things in the summertime without
heating up the house by using the oven.

I do a lot of stews in the 5-qt cooker. I find that they freeze well so
I can eat what I cook a little bit over a 4-to-5 week period. A
Foodsaver works ok but just normal freezer containers also work fine.

Jim Lahue

Jim Lahue wrote:

I do a lot of stews in the 5-qt cooker. I find that they freeze well so
I can eat what I cook a little bit over a 4-to-5 week period. A
Foodsaver works ok but just normal freezer containers also work fine.

Jim Lahue

Jim,

I find the FS works fabulously for stews and that style of
food because to reheat you can just toss the bag into
boiling water. Freezer containers will freezer burn
eventually. With the FS I can keep foods literally for years
in the freezer (-20dF) with no loss in quality.

One of the problems I've had with stews is that when
reheated on a burner or in the microwave, the gravy tends to
separate. Not so in the water.


--
Steve

"Steve Calvin" wrote in message
...
Nothing to do with slow cookers 'cause I don't own one but for the
leftovers being thrown out, get a Tilia FoodSaver. I've had them for about
6 years and have thrown nothing out since I bought my first one.

Here's my current model.
http://foodsaver.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productid=985

Let me add in my own enthusiasm for the Foodsaver. I have two sets of the
acrylic containers and use them to vacuum marinade ribs, wings and even meat
for kabobs. They are also great for storing things in the refrigerator.
Today, for instance, I made up a big bunch of chips, where I cut french
bread into thin slices, brush it with garlic butter and dust on some
shredded Parmesian cheese. After the broiler to set the cheese, I toss the
chips into a vacuum cannister and they stay perfectly fresh until used with
my cheese or liverwurst ball. Extra cheese seems to last forever in a
vacuum bag, as does leftover pulled pork or ribs.

Nonny
--
Nonnymus
You don't stand any taller by trying
to make someone else appear shorter.

Steve Calvin wrote:
Jim Lahue wrote:
snip snip snip


Jim,

I find the FS works fabulously for stews and that style of food because
to reheat you can just toss the bag into boiling water. Freezer
containers will freezer burn eventually. With the FS I can keep foods
literally for years in the freezer (-20dF) with no loss in quality.

One of the problems I've had with stews is that when reheated on a
burner or in the microwave, the gravy tends to separate. Not so in the
water.

Yes, regular freezer containers will allow freezer burn to take place.
However, I don't have a big enough freezer to allow storage of stuff for
months on end so this isn't a problem. The FoodSaver would be nice but
it isn't economical for me for short-term storage.

Jim Lahue

On 8-Aug-2007, Jim Lahue wrote:

Steve Calvin wrote:
Jim Lahue wrote:
snip snip snip


Jim,

I find the FS works fabulously for stews and that style of food because
to reheat you can just toss the bag into boiling water. Freezer
containers will freezer burn eventually. With the FS I can keep foods
literally for years in the freezer (-20dF) with no loss in quality.

One of the problems I've had with stews is that when reheated on a
burner or in the microwave, the gravy tends to separate. Not so in the
water.

Yes, regular freezer containers will allow freezer burn to take place.
However, I don't have a big enough freezer to allow storage of stuff for
months on end so this isn't a problem. The FoodSaver would be nice but
it isn't economical for me for short-term storage.

Jim Lahue

It might be if you could get bags for a dime each like I do. I just finished
bagging ten pounds of counry ribs that I got for $0.98/lb. Actually, I
used 8 X 12 bags and they're closer to 12¢ each.

--
Brick(Save a tree, eat a Beaver)

Thanyou all for the input on the slow cooker.
I would like to get a Food Saver, but I can't stomach to spend that much,
(over $ 100.00 )
I figure that I can buy fresh even if it cost more.
and in the long run it will cost less amd I'll be using fresh food.
On freezer burns.
I do freeze some tomatoes,and basil.
The tomatoes I blanch and remove the skin and most of the seeds and put them
in half gallon freezer bags, remove all the air and zip em shut. lay flat
in freezer No air No freezer burn
I do the same with basel, I put it in a food processor with some parsley
( parsley has chlorophyll and keep it green )
and some Olive Oil and put about one cup in a quart freezer bag, lay it flat
and remove the air, lay it flat in the freezer
and when you need some just break off a piece, or if you want to make pesto
thaw it out mash the nuts
add more Oil, salt and cheese and pulse in food processor.

Sergio


"Brick" wrote in message
news:tauui.18084$J13.15322@trnddc02...

On 8-Aug-2007, Jim Lahue wrote:

Steve Calvin wrote:
Jim Lahue wrote:
snip snip snip


Jim,

I find the FS works fabulously for stews and that style of food because
to reheat you can just toss the bag into boiling water. Freezer
containers will freezer burn eventually. With the FS I can keep foods
literally for years in the freezer (-20dF) with no loss in quality.

One of the problems I've had with stews is that when reheated on a
burner or in the microwave, the gravy tends to separate. Not so in the
water.

Yes, regular freezer containers will allow freezer burn to take place.
However, I don't have a big enough freezer to allow storage of stuff for
months on end so this isn't a problem. The FoodSaver would be nice but
it isn't economical for me for short-term storage.

Jim Lahue

It might be if you could get bags for a dime each like I do. I just
finished
bagging ten pounds of counry ribs that I got for $0.98/lb. Actually, I
used 8 X 12 bags and they're closer to 12¢ each.

--
Brick(Save a tree, eat a Beaver)

"Sergio" wrote in message
...
Thanyou all for the input on the slow cooker.
I would like to get a Food Saver, but I can't stomach to spend that much,
(over $ 100.00 )
I figure that I can buy fresh even if it cost more.
and in the long run it will cost less amd I'll be using fresh food.

Everyone has different priorities and lifestyles.

I make brisket during the summer and freeze some for the winter. In the
Foodsaver bag, it last for a couple of years with no damage and is as good
as the day I put it in. That does not save money, but give me what I want,
when I want it.

I also buy pork loins for $1,89 a pound and freeze 2/3 for later. I can buy
fresh in smaller portions for $4,49. Quite the savings. In my house, it
has long been paid for.

On Sat, 11 Aug 2007 19:38:39 -0400, "Edwin Pawlowski"
wrote:


"Sergio" wrote in message
.. .
Thanyou all for the input on the slow cooker.
I would like to get a Food Saver, but I can't stomach to spend that much,
(over $ 100.00 )
I figure that I can buy fresh even if it cost more.
and in the long run it will cost less amd I'll be using fresh food.

Everyone has different priorities and lifestyles.

I make brisket during the summer and freeze some for the winter. In the
Foodsaver bag, it last for a couple of years with no damage and is as good
as the day I put it in. That does not save money, but give me what I want,
when I want it.

I also buy pork loins for $1,89 a pound and freeze 2/3 for later. I can buy
fresh in smaller portions for $4,49. Quite the savings. In my house, it
has long been paid for.


Here here!

When I can pick up meat on special, I'll cook up big batches. It's
nice to be able to take pulled pork, etc. out of the freezer at any
time and still have it in like new condition.

For fish, it's a no brainier. I live just a couple of miles away from
the fishing fleets in Port Canaveral, FL. When the markets have good
buys on something, they go to the Foodsaver. I also like to fish. The
Foodsaver allows me to store my catch so it's available when species
are out of season or to too expensive to buy in the store.

Like you said, it's paid for itself a long, long time ago. I just
hope it dies soon so I can upgrade models.
_____________________________________

Bkhuna

http://www.lp.org
http://www.ronpaul2008.com

I do understand that over time you do save some money, but since I started
to cook over ten years ago,
I like to make fresh meals and very seldom I do make the same meal.
With the advent of the Internet I can pick a new recipe each day.
To me it is a joy to make a new meal and taste something new, as I tell my
wife I do not change the recipes, I improve them,
( Sometime I should had left them as they were )
I also want to say that it's only two in the family, and each meal last a
couple of days.
I did invest in a food scale, and now I make or try to make just for one
meal.

and as for the Slow cooker question, I've decide against getting one, it
would not
be too practical for us.
Sergio

"Bkhuna" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 11 Aug 2007 19:38:39 -0400, "Edwin Pawlowski"
wrote:


"Sergio" wrote in message
. ..
Thanyou all for the input on the slow cooker.
I would like to get a Food Saver, but I can't stomach to spend that
much,
(over $ 100.00 )
I figure that I can buy fresh even if it cost more.
and in the long run it will cost less amd I'll be using fresh food.

Everyone has different priorities and lifestyles.

I make brisket during the summer and freeze some for the winter. In the
Foodsaver bag, it last for a couple of years with no damage and is as good
as the day I put it in. That does not save money, but give me what I
want,
when I want it.

I also buy pork loins for $1,89 a pound and freeze 2/3 for later. I can
buy
fresh in smaller portions for $4,49. Quite the savings. In my house, it
has long been paid for.


Here here!

When I can pick up meat on special, I'll cook up big batches. It's
nice to be able to take pulled pork, etc. out of the freezer at any
time and still have it in like new condition.

For fish, it's a no brainier. I live just a couple of miles away from
the fishing fleets in Port Canaveral, FL. When the markets have good
buys on something, they go to the Foodsaver. I also like to fish. The
Foodsaver allows me to store my catch so it's available when species
are out of season or to too expensive to buy in the store.

Like you said, it's paid for itself a long, long time ago. I just
hope it dies soon so I can upgrade models.
_____________________________________

Bkhuna

http://www.lp.org
http://www.ronpaul2008.com

"Sergio" wrote in message
I also want to say that it's only two in the family, and each meal last a
couple of days.
I did invest in a food scale, and now I make or try to make just for one
meal.


As I said, different ideas on how to cook. I intentionally make enough at a
meal for a lunch or two and perhaps another meal. Some days I don't want to
cook when I get home so it is simple to reheat a leftover something. Or
take a cooked half chicken from the freezer. Pork roast becomes pork
sandwiches. We enjoy leftovers. More important, some days I enjoy spending
the time with my wife instead of having to prepare a lengthy prep time meal.

Another single guy here. I have a 5 qt Nesco Roaster that I use for
stews, soups, chili...etc. Highly recommend it.