Hate all they like. Nothing wrong with a slow cooker - does a better job than an oven with dishes like this, use a LOT less energy, very handy when you're at work all day and can then come home to a delicious smelling house with no need to do anything else, cheap, easy - they're great.
Started making our own stock in them now - bung in the leftover bits you normally throw away (chicken carcass after a Sunday roast, discarded bits of veg etc), stick it on over night with some water and you've got some nice homemade stock to use.