Thanks everyone for all these great ideas - think I'm going to have to buy a crock pot for this winter - easier than the large saucepan I currently use. Sadly don't think I'll be able to get those disposable liners down here in NZ.

Re the flare-ups from Pizza - it may be due to the tomato sauce - ie: concentrated tomato - tomato is from the nightshade family of plants. Also a lot of commercial tomato paste is imported in bulk from China and then repackaged for supply in the US - you never know what might be in it eg: MSG.