I was given this by my mother in law who thinks I don't cook enough meat for her son and grandchildren. I think this was her way of getting me to make hearty stews and the like. I have to say it worked! I now use the slow cooker at least twice a week, and my family seem to prefer the food that comes out of this more than anything else.

It is very simple to use. Literally, you just fill it upm plug it in, and switch it on. It has three settings - slow, fast and warm, so you can cook things in approximately 4 hours, 8 hours, or just keep cooked foods warm for a while until meal time.

The capacity of the machine is good. I regularly cook for friends, and manage to feed four adults and four children out of the pot. It is really easy to clean too. The pot just lifts out of the cooker, and can be washed along with the rest of your dishes.

It is also quite compact, so easy to store, although the stylish design makes it a nice addition to the kitchen anyway.