Talking about slow cookers, I’ve been looking at some modern ones on the Argos website. The odd thing is they seem to use more electricity than the Tower models from quarter of a century ago.
In the mid-1980′s Tower had three models and they had the following power ratings:
Auto: 100w-140w
Carefree: 70w-90w
Compact: 55w (I have this one)
The marketing of these centred around the fact that they used about the same amount of energy as a light bulb (100 watts).
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Still going strong after nearly 25 years (and doing a chicken stew): Tower Compact slow cooker |
Compare those vintage models to the modern day Morphy Richards slow cooker, which is rated at 330 watts. Or the Russell Hobbs at 160 watts.
The stainless steel Cookworks is rated at 160w-190w (and a real bargain at just £9.98 currently).
Do these slow cookers consume energy the whole time? Or does a thermostat turn them on and off occasionally to maintain the temperature? If so, the wattage given is a maximum and doesn’t tell the whole story. My 25-year-old 55 watt compact model seems to stay on permanently.
You might expect slow cookers to be even more energy efficient these days but it looks as if that may not be the case. I wonder if it’s because most modern-day slow cookers have a glass lid rather than the ceramic lids that are to be found on the old Tower models? Style over function and efficiency?
By the way, if you like stews and casseroles and haven’t tried this method of cooking, you are missing a treat. Cheaper cuts of meat turn out succulent and, whichever slow cooker you choose, it will use much less electricity than a standard oven, which may be rated at something like 2,500 watts.
Interesting. I have the Tower 2 litre version which was given to me as an engagement present 28 years ago. It has been used a lot over the years but more recently simply for steaming the Xmas pudding. However, with a revival in the concept of slow cooking along with energy saving I have started reusing it on a more regular basis. However, as the pot is badly crazed and it be good to have a larger capacity pot, I have been looking at buying a replacement. The joy of having a removable pot would be also be a great plus. The temperature issue is however an interesting one and seems to be where most criticism lies. Most comments are on how they actually burn the food, something these antique ones don’t. However,on the minus side, I always found that, if using the low setting, casseroles always seemed to have a rather unpleasant greasy taste which would be countered by using a higher temperature. Based on the comments I am reading I think I shall carry on with my antique until it does finally pack up unless I can replace it with something comparable. Also why are so many oval? Try cooking a large Xmas pudding in that shape!
Comment by Mary Lee
Friday 19 December 2008 @ 11:32 am
g7uk.com writes: Since I wrote this entry I’ve bought the Cookworks slow cooker from Argos that I mentioned. The larger capacity makes sense because I can freeze half or cater for several friends. You’re right, the removable pot is more convenient — especially for washing up. Also I’m finding the glass lid useful for seeing what’s happening in there. So far I’ve done chicken and leek soup and two different stews with beef and have been very happy with the results (both on low setting). I suppose the oval shape makes storage easier but not so good for Xmas puds!
Comment by GS
Friday 19 December 2008 @ 12:03 pm
Yes we have an old Tower slow cooker (nearly 30 years old), with two heat settings, rated at 80 and 120W (if I remember correctly). While it does not have a removable pan it is very efficient and excellent for cooking casseroles and stews plus a range of other things. While the glaze is now somewhatcrazed it is intact and still perfectly usable. I can’t see the point in having a higher power rating, unless the volume to be cooked is significantly greater (which some of the modern ones are). However, I don’t see the point in saving energy by slow cooking larger amounts only to then freeze half of it – freezers use a lot of energy! I’m sure you’d be better off with a smaller capacity cooker and not freezing. However, if you are trying to save prep time then I can see the point.
Comment by Trev
Monday 29 December 2008 @ 1:24 pm
I have broke the ceremic lid on my Tower slow cooker (approx. 27 years old, dont know the model but its not the compact version and it has high and low temperature settings). Do you know where I can get a replacement? Thanks.
Comment by Christine
Friday 16 January 2009 @ 9:12 am
My partner broke the lid of our Tower slow cooker last night. It is a vintage tower approx 28 years old and like Christine’s ,it’s a large ceramic lift out pot If anyone does know where I can find a repacemetn lid I would also be very pleased to buy one .
As I don’t know how I will survive with out it.
Alison – Hampshire
Comment by Alison Thatcher
Friday 20 March 2009 @ 6:26 pm
g7uk.com replies: You can’t see in the photo above but I actually broke the lid of mine some time ago. I glued it with super glue and it still works absolutely fine.
That may be your only option as I reckon replacement parts won’t be available from Tower after all this time. But who knows?
Tower is a brand name used by Salton Europe. You can contact them via their website:
http://www.saltoneurope.com
Let me know if you do get a lid!
Comment by GS
Friday 20 March 2009 @ 7:12 pm
Have been handed down a Tower Slow Cooker, which sounds like the one described in the first article: compact 50 watt x 240 volts, 1.5 litre, 2.64 pints. The model number is 3872-B. It also has marked T1. There is just one problem, no instructions, as how to use it. Any help or advice would be most useful.
Comment by Robin Lambert
Saturday 9 May 2009 @ 6:33 pm
I bought a Tower slo cooker on Ebay but the stoneware pot was broken during transport from England to the Netherlands because it wasn’t packed well enough.
Now I’m looking for a pot only, 2,5 ltr.
Can anyone help me please?
Thank you very much in advance
Kind regards,
An Veenman
Comment by An Veenman
Monday 14 September 2009 @ 11:27 pm
Re broken lid
If you measure the diameter of lid required and browse kitchen shops with the measurement , any ceramic or glass lid will do the job. Your not looking for an airtight seal its not a pressure cooker
Comment by alan
Sunday 27 September 2009 @ 6:55 pm
blimey, my mum has just given me the very model of slow cooker in the picture. I’ve been trawling the internet for recipes. I think the first time i use it, i will need to babysit it, incase its faulty after all these years. I have to say, it doesnt co-ordinate with my kitchen………….
Comment by AM
Tuesday 6 October 2009 @ 9:43 pm
I have had the Tower family-de-luxe model for 20 odd years and love it, however, last night my son dropped the lid – I felt like crying Have tried a pan lid this evening but it does not fit tightly enough. May have to buy a new one but will bear in mind energy ratings as I’ve always thought of them as energy efficient.
Comment by Jax
Monday 12 October 2009 @ 7:43 pm
Need a replacement indicator bulb for my Tower Slow Cooker Model 2917.
Any idea as to where I might obtain one?
Comment by Russell
Sunday 1 November 2009 @ 12:05 pm
I have a tower slow cooker A(but the family size one not the compact one and my flat mate has just broken the ceramic pot but the lid is ok. Does anyone know where I could get a replacement as I can’t live without my slo cooker?
Comment by Julie Fox
Friday 1 January 2010 @ 10:54 pm
Hello.. .. I need the instruction book for the older Tower Compact Slow Cooker, been given one but no book so please help..
thank you regards Christopher
reply to..
[email protected]
other information
T1 Tower Compact Slow Cooker. 50 watt x 240 volts, 1.5 litre, 2.64 pints. The model
number is 3872-B.
This the all in one unit no removable pot.
Comment by Christopher Holdoway
Sunday 24 January 2010 @ 8:52 pm
I have had my tower slow cooker for 26 years and wouldn’t be without it. I recently bought my daughter a slow cooker but sadly it isn’t a patch on my old one. Does anyone know if you can still buy the old models or is it a beauty of the past.
Many thanks
Comment by pat ferris
Friday 2 July 2010 @ 3:03 pm
Hi, can anyone tell me what temperature a tower slow cooker cooks at on low. I own a really old one, a tower model 2917. I have read that cooking meat at less than 100 degrees farenheitkills enzymes so hope that the slow cooker will be the answer.
Thanks Mags
Comment by Mags
Saturday 18 September 2010 @ 1:12 pm
Hi I have an old Tower Slow Cooker, with Low & High settings. I have no instructions, and can’t remember which way the button should be to cook on high, can anyone help?
Comment by Wendy
Wednesday 20 October 2010 @ 1:10 pm
On mine, which is an antique auto with three settings I’ve had for 30 years or more, the bottom setting is the high, middle is low and top is auto. The lid’s been cracked for years, so I’ll be interested if anyone’s found out how to get a replacement.
Comment by Joice Williams
Sunday 31 October 2010 @ 10:17 am
g7uk.com in reply to Joice:
I doubt you’ll get hold of a new replacement lid on such an old slow cooker. Though you may be able to find one at a jumble sale or charity shop (perhaps a complete unit).
I broke the ceramic lid of my mid-1980′s Tower slow cooker, glued it back together using super glue, and it works just the same.
Comment by GS
Sunday 31 October 2010 @ 12:49 pm
Hi I have a tower compact model 3872 that I am just about to put on freegle – if any of you ‘lid hunters’ above want it, it’s going begging
Comment by SarahR
Saturday 2 April 2011 @ 9:46 am
I have just put my Tower Family-de-Luxe Slo-Cooer Model 4405 on an electric ring and melted the outer plastic casing! It was a wedding present from 25 Years ago. If anyone has a similar model they don’t want anymore I would love to purchase. Please please contact
Comment by Anne Ellis
Saturday 9 July 2011 @ 11:30 am
been using tower auto slow cooker without instructions.would like to know differences/benefits of the 3 settings; low auto and high.read on this site low can give greasy taste? also how does auto cook? anyone know where i can read manual on line? thanks
Comment by clifford
Sunday 28 August 2011 @ 10:15 pm
Its easy to replace a lid for the antique cook pots. Use a lid off a pyrex dish. Works perfectly.
My problem is my crock pot has now cracked and I have been searching ebay for a replacement. I most certainly do not want a modern one that can use up to 700 watts when mine only used 140 watts.
Another antique is fine by me!
Comment by Paula
Saturday 3 September 2011 @ 9:36 pm
I too have the compact Tower Slow Cooker and after 25years have just broken the lid but not able to glue it as it smashed in too many places.
Can I but a replacement?
Comment by Sue
Wednesday 26 October 2011 @ 5:21 pm
does anyone have the answer to no.17 regarding the temperature switch which is the high setting I or II
Comment by Beazer
Monday 31 October 2011 @ 4:56 pm
I have inherited an unused Tower family-de-luxe slo-cooker model 4405, complete with box and recipe book, but no lead! Does anyone know where I could get a replacement lead after all this time?
Comment by Jenny
Tuesday 29 November 2011 @ 11:00 am
I’ve only just seen your comment, you may have sorted out a lead, but I have the same model, the cable is the same as the old cables for corded kettles and also some old computer cables, you may be able to get a lead in an electrical or hardware type shop.
Comment by Lesley
Wednesday 21 December 2011 @ 1:03 pm
I was given a Tower Slow Cooker and now have 3 different sizes and makes.
The Tower one has a rocker switch and I can never work out if pushing it IN at the top means it’s on the top setting (can’t remember which way round they are) or if I need to have the switch OUT at the top for that setting… Help?
My lid has also been glued and is fine but for those who are after a lid and are in the UK, buy a copy of the Lady magazine if you’re stuck – they have a ‘crockery finding’ service and just may have a supplier who can help with slow cooker lids
Comment by Chaz
Tuesday 17 January 2012 @ 10:21 am
To answer #17 and #25, I had the same problem, then managed to find my old manual and recipe guide! The slow-cooker is on HIGH when the BOTTOM of the switch is pushed in – the white dot showing on my 2917D. It’s on LOW in the MIDDLE and on AUTO with the top pushed in – no dot showing. Simples!
Comment by SteveE
Friday 27 January 2012 @ 3:19 pm