When I first saw these stock pots advertised I really wanted to try them. They are quite expensive so when I saw them on offer with 1/3 off of the price I couldn't resist. Now when I say they are expensive I mean compared to other stock products, obviously a few pounds is not a lot of money but for this type of product it is, to me anyway.

I was very keen to see what they would be like. I like to cook from scratch whenever I can. However I do not have the time and patience to my own stock and normally use a stock cube as these are the best value and taste ok. After using stock for a while I have sometimes found that it can taste a bit too salty, so was hoping that these stock pots would be different.

I have used a whole pack of the beef stock pots and a couple out of a pack of the chicken flavour and have to say I am not at all impressed with them. I tend to use stock cubes a lot for cooking dishes such as stews, casseroles, chilli con carne and to flavour vegetable, just all the usual ones really. I have found that these stock pots are like a very thick jelly and don't dissolve very easily. They take ages and the water has to be actually boiling for them to work. Even then I have to stir them a lot. I also tried just adding them into a dish, that didn't work at all. I ended up with a large lump of jelly, when I served it up.

I have tried all different things but I don't know if it's just me or the product, I just can't get on with them. I have continued to use up the ones I brought but wont be re-purchasing them. I think they are quite overpriced and harder work than stock cubes. I can't compare it to fresh stock because I never buy it. The only thing I will say is that it isn't quite as salty as a stock cube, but it doesn't taste much better either.