My slow cooker sits on the counter of my tiny kitchen, and boy has it earned it’s space!  I am not one for clutter, and only the most indispensable or prettiest items make the cut to be lovingly displayed on my countertops.

Motherhood has taught me many things, but most of all, it has taught me how to manage time effectively.  Over the years I have become an expert at time management.  Anything and everything that claims to save time, I try, in an effort to free up more time for the things I love.

The slow cooker was one gadget that promised me more time on my hands along with healthy and wholesome food options.  Of course, I was keen to try it out for myself!  Mamas, let me tell you – if you do not own a slow cooker you are missing out!  It is worth its weight in gold!

Why you should buy a slow cooker

1. It cooks food to perfection.

I have never tasted meat so tender!  It literally falls off the bone or melts in your mouth.  In addition, the slow-cooking process gives the flavours of the food time to develop, giving you that incredible authentic home-cooked taste every time.

2. It saves you time.

Lots of time!  Imagine coming home a to hearty dinner everyday, with minimal effort.  Hard to imagine isn’t it?  This is the kind of freedom that a slow cooker is able to give you.  A half hour of prep work in the morning can absolutely mean that you do not need to slave over the stove everyday.  Prep work in the morning doesn’t sound good to you?  No problem!  After the kids go to bed, put on some nice music or your favourite TV show and prepare your ingredients in the slow cooker.   In the morning, put the slow cooker to work.  Your food will be ready to devour in the evening.

3. It’s affordable.

Slow cookers start from around € 50 for basic models.  Prices vary according to brand, size and features.  I opted for the ‘Crockpot’ brand. It is THE best! The one I own is the Crockpot Duraceramic 6L.  It sells for € 209.95 from VJ Crockpot Malta delivered to your door (Maltese Islands).  It is their top of the range model. You can use the pot on the hob and in the oven too, lid and all!  It is also large in size, with a capacity of 6 litres. At the time of writing this blog post, I have a 20% off discount code for this model and the other Duraceramic option, and 15% off for the others. Use MAMAMANUAL20 at checkout, or MAMAMANUAL15, to get your 20 or 15% off.

4. It’s cheap to run.

Yes!  Even though most recipes require your food to cook for 6 or 8 hours, it is cheaper than switching on the oven.  Every 8 hours in the slow-cooker uses up approximately the same amount of electricity an oven uses in half an hour.  Talk about energy-efficient!

5.  It’s safe to cook on its own

The slow cooker cooks at such a low-wattage that the appliance in itself never gets too hot.  Of course, as with everything else, simple safety measures must still be followed.  Always place the slow cooker on a flat, heatproof surface.  Never fill more than the recommended 3/4 of the pot and move it away from your kitchen wall to give the heat space to circulate.

6.  It’s easy to clean.

The inner pot is non-stick and extremely easy to clean.  It is also dishwasher safe! For best care, I recommend handwashing, but when I am in a rush or it looks a tad too messy I pop it into the dishwasher.

7.  It’s convenient.

As soon as your food cooks, the Crockpot automatically switches to the ‘keep warm’ function.  This barely even uses up any electricity, and keeps the food just ever so warm.  This feature is a lovely addition when the family is eating at different hours.  You do not need to plan ahead to warm up plates of food, you can simply serve.  I find this so handy on the busiest of days!

8. You can cook SO much more than you imagined in it!

Let’s just focus on the ‘slow cooker’ function.  I have very successfully cooked roasts, stews, curries, soups, lasagne, casseroles, oatmeal, enchiladas and brownies in my slow cooker!  If you opt for the one I have, you have the added bonus of being able to sauté, steam, bake and roast in it too!

9. Batch cooking is super easy.

If you buy a larger-sized slow cooker, you can prepare double the ingredients and prepare ahead by freezing.  This is why I opted for the largest available size.  Cooking everyday has become a thing of the past.  Here’s one recipe which I love to prepare in bulk!

10. Meal prep, and forget about it.

What a relief to be able to carry on your day without having to check on the food in the oven, or stir the contents of the pan on the hob.  You are able to come and go as you please without having to even think about the food that is cooking in your kitchen.

I’ve now been the proud owner of a Crockpot for a little over 3 years, and use it 3-5 times a week.  I seriously cannot imagine my life without it!

I do hope you enjoyed my first blog post about slow cooking!  Read more here:

• how to choose the slow cooker for you
• a review of my Crockpot – the Duraceramic Saute 6L

Happy slow-cooking beautiful mamas!

Nakita xxx

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