Tips for - Energy conservation

Tinkerbell · #1 (**permalink**) 20-04-2008, 12:49 PM

As I understand it, cooking a roast with a slow cooker uses a fair amount less energy and I believe the results are often much better than using an oven. I've had mine for some years now, and would not be without one.

What I noticed today too, was that although somewhat cool outside, I came into the room where the slow cooker is operating to find a lovely warm welcome emanating from the pot.

So not only is my dinner simmering away, but the slow cooker is generating some central heating too!

Tinkerbell

shei111 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-08-2008, 09:00 PM

Yes I find that when I put a casserole in the oven for a few hours it heat the kitchen lovely thats nice when you come home to warmth plus the smell of tea cooking. shei.

Susie · #3 (**permalink**) 13-08-2008, 10:47 AM

I had never considered using my slow cooker for a roast, just for casseroles, thank you for the suggestion Tinkerbell as it is such a good idea. I have a very large oven and to heat it must be a huge waste of energy when I am just cooking one thing.

As I have never cooked a roast in a slow cooker before are there any tips you can give me for good results? Should I put any oil or liquid in with the meat and do I need to brown it first?

ron1863 · #4 (**permalink**) 13-08-2008, 01:54 PM

Jamie Oliver had a great tip on one of his programmes where you used one of those large foil bags to cook an entire meal, I tried it and it was excellent.
I cut up peppers, onions, mushrooms courgettes etc. and put them into the bag and then browned chicken portions which also went into the bag along with a dollop of olive oil. Sealed the bag and shoved it into the oven at 180 and left it. You can leave it for hours as it cooks in the oil and it's own juices and as the bag is sealed, doesn't dry out.
I use this method a lot as everyone enjoys it and the chicken is never dry and there's no pot to clean.

Tinkerbell · #5 (**permalink**) 14-08-2008, 01:57 PM

Yes, Susie, I do add water (about 3/4 pt) and the other good thing about this form of cooking is that the stock can be used for soup some time too. We had a lovely bowl full this lunchtime (who'd have thought you'd appreciate warming soup in August!) made from such stock.

Tinkerbell

Davy Crockett · #6 (**permalink**) 15-08-2008, 05:00 PM

Ron's idea sounds just the ticket to me, no pot to wash, i'll try it when i can think of a way to put the bag on an open fire with out it burning.
Glad of any suggestions for a man who lives in the woods.
By the way Ron is that your birth date! 1863

Cheers Crockett

ron1863 · #7 (**permalink**) 15-08-2008, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davy Crockett

Ron's idea sounds just the ticket to me, no pot to wash, i'll try it when i can think of a way to put the bag on an open fire with out it burning.
Glad of any suggestions for a man who lives in the woods.
By the way Ron is that your birth date! 1863

Cheers Crockett

Feels like it at times, and foil doesn't burn

Davy Crockett · #8 (**permalink**) 16-08-2008, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ron1863

Feels like it at times, and foil doesn't burn

Thanks Ron as you will have guest I'm new to this foil stuff, and electrickory
D.C.

Tormentil · #9 (**permalink**) 16-08-2008, 08:45 AM

Do nothing. I find this works admirably

Although I must admit that HiD is against this policy.

Susie · #10 (**permalink**) 16-08-2008, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinkerbell

Yes, Susie, I do add water (about 3/4 pt) and the other good thing about this form of cooking is that the stock can be used for soup some time too. We had a lovely bowl full this lunchtime (who'd have thought you'd appreciate warming soup in August!) made from such stock.

Tinkerbell

Thank you, Tinkerbell,that sounds delicious. I am going to try roasting a chicken in the slow cooker tomorrow.