'2 meals at the same time!': Mum's time-saving slow cooker hack divides internet

Internet sceptics aren't so sure the pros outweigh the cons. What do you think?

You've probably heard of the 'slow cooker dump bag' hack that's currently circulating on TikTok.

The concept is simple: prep ingredients for a meal in a large zip-lock bag, pop it in the freezer, and then 'dump' the contents in the slow cooker when you need a quick weeknight dinner.

There's minimal hands-on prep time and no mess. Best of all, it saves you from having to think about what to have for dinner.

Genius right?

Right!

Wellllll... this article isn't about that, but if you want recipes for those, we have some here!

This article is about a very... different sort of hack. Yes - it still involves your slow cooker, and yes, you'll still use bags, but one woman has decided to put the bags inside the slow cooker with the aim of saving time.

She says it's a 'game changer' because she can now cook two meals at once, but internet sceptics aren't so sure the pros outweigh the cons. 

Let's get into it, and you can make up your own mind (in case one look at the photo doesn't do that for you.)

Want to join the family? Sign up to our Kidspot newsletter for more stories like this. 

Thoughts? Image: Facebook

RELATED: Aussie number plates reveal little-known road rule

"Set and forget"

The mum took to the Slow Cooking Australia Facebook group to share her recent kitchen experiment.

She wrote, "I tried this oven bag idea and love it! It's so easy! I made butter chicken and beef Massaman curry at the same time."

"I placed all ingredients in respective bags, set and forget for four hours on auto. Chicken and beef were both cooked to tender. Easiest way to get out the bag is pour into a jug and then serve."

In the photo, two oven bags are filled with food and fastened with what seem to be zip ties while sitting snugly side by side in the slow cooker.

Introducing our new podcast: Mum Club! Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode.

RELATED: ‘Irresponsible’: Mums rage over ALDI’s latest Special Buy

"Simmering in plastic"

The post quickly went viral, racking up 1.9k reactions and nearly 500 comments.

At first, some people praised the mum for the tip.

"Genius," one replied. "My husband always moans that I never cook anything spicy (myself and the kids don't like it). I will be searching for these."

Another chimed in, "This sounds like a great idea for someone who is single and wants to make multiple smaller meals!"

"I was today years old when I learnt this! Thanks," gushed one woman.

"I have been cooking in oven bags in my slow cooker for years now and no nasty cleaning up after as well," another convert wrote.

But then came the concern.

One commenter pointed out: "I'm not sure I'd want my simmering food to sit in plastic bags for hours. It may work, but the risk of consuming biproducts from the plastic bags is a bit of a turn-off."

"The idea sounds great, but I'm not sure about the safety of oven bags because the plastic may leach into food when it's heated," another echoed.

Then, one helpful user suggested using two glass dishes instead to recreate the same concept.

"Why not get some Pyrex dishes and use them instead - or some oven-to-freezer dishes? Slow cooking with the lids on means they aren't much work to clean, and you have them in a serving dish if people are helping themselves," they wrote.

Finally, someone defended the OP, saying, "Wow, poor woman was just sharing an innocent idea. You just have to do what works for you."

Originally published as '2 meals at the same time!': Mum's time-saving slow cooker hack divides internet