topic Re: Slow Cooker Questions in Kitchen

Slow Cooker Questions

sipp — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 05:00:56 GMT

First- which do you recommend as safest to leave on when not home?

Second- I have weird hours- I go to bed around 4:00A.M.-5:00A.M. Don't feel like "fixing" a dinner at that time--- BUT rest of family has "normal" hours and we like to eat dinner together around 5:30 - 6:00 pm--- SO since Most people prepare their meals in the A.M and it's done when they get home- How would I work this? It would seem if I tried to make a meal before "I" go to bed-- then it would be mush by the time everyone is ready to sit down to dinner. Or not? Will a slow cooker cook frozen? Dh and kids are not "kitchen appliance" "savvy" and wouldn't remember to turn it on in the AM.---- TIA

Re: Slow Cooker Questions

kristan — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 17:02:38 GMT

I don't think you are suppose to cook frozen meat in a crockpot. You could prepare the night before, put it in the fridge & then plug in the morning. I've never had anything turn to mush. A pressure cooker seems like maybe it would be better for your situation.

Re: Slow Cooker Questions

faeriemoon — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 17:12:16 GMT

Don't know much about them, but wanted to let you know that WS is having a sale on them.

Re: Slow Cooker Questions

RainyDayGal — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 17:14:46 GMT

For things like roast I like them to cook a long time. You could always get things ready before you go to bed and turn the slow cooker on "low". Or put everything in the removable insert and put it in the fridge. Then have a family member remove it from the fridge and turn it on before they leave for the day.

As far as brands, I think mine is a Rival.

Re: Slow Cooker Questions

9PLUS5 — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 18:04:26 GMT

I have prepared a meal in the crock pot at night (not cooked it) , I have also set everything up in the morning & plugged the crock into a timer, like the ones you use for Christmas window lights. I work full time, so I am not home to turn it on at 10:00 or 11:00 AM to have it done by 6:00 PM, so the timer works out great. I get home & dinner is ready & no one has to wait around for me to cook.

Maybe this method will work for you ?

Have a Good Day !

Re: Slow Cooker Questions

ChynnaBlue — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 18:11:58 GMT

You should not put frozen foods into a crockpot, as they may not be safely cooked in the time the recipe gives, which is based on thawed foods.

Check different recipes. You can add meat at one time and vegetables later - I do that so that the veggies don't get too mushy. It depends on the veggies you want to add, but some I'll add an hour or 30 minutes before serving.

You can assemble the meal in the crock pot or in a baggie and keep it in the fridge (the whole crock pot or the baggie) and then remove and plug in when you're ready to turn it on. If the meal was in the baggie, just dump it out of the baggie into the crock pot and then cover and turn it on.

I'm sorry you don't feel like your husband is capable of remembering to turn the pot on before he leaves, but I would work with him on that. He should be able to take some responsibility for the family meal - anyone in the family should. Plugging it on and turning it on shouldn't be too much to ask. If he can't do it or forgets, I'd say he should be picking dinner up that night until he learns. You can leave a note for him on the coffee pot, the front door, wherever to help him remember. Tell your kids to remind him in the morning and make it a family responsibility to get the family meal ready and everyone has a part - mom sets it up, the kids remind dad to get it out of the fridge and turned on, and dad turns it on.

Re: Slow Cooker Questions

RainyDayGal — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 18:14:59 GMT

When I need my husband to give the dog her medicine, I set the kitchen timer and put it by his computer. He can't forget that way!

Re: Slow Cooker Questions

ccassaday — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 18:34:34 GMT

You could get a programmable one that switches to warm automatically after 4 or 8 hours and stops cooking.

Re: Slow Cooker Questions

VaBelle35 — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 19:54:14 GMT

On 8/21/2014 ccassaday said: You could get a programmable one that switches to warm automatically after 4 or 8 hours and stops cooking.

And if you are in an area prone to power outages, you will want want one with memory so that it turns back on where it left off when the power went out.

Otherwise, you will be tossing whole pots of food.

All of mine are Crock Pot brand and never had an issue with any of them. You want to make sure that they have good, sturdy feet and are off the counter so that air circulates under it. You want to make sure you don't have any kind of towels or hot pads under them or near them. Slow cookers are safe, but you have to use common sense, too.

Re: Slow Cooker Questions

dfyre — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 20:11:11 GMT

I have two - one is a Rival that I think cooks a little hot, and the other is a Temptations that I got about 4-5 years ago from Q. This one is my favorite since on one setting I can brown foods and then just flip it over to slow cook. Sadly, they no longer carry it. I like the time suggestion best but have also assembled the ingredients in a slow cooker liner and then just plop it in in the morning to cook.

So, maybe it's not technically safe, but I put frozen stuff in there pretty often.

Re: Slow Cooker Questions

Sweetbay magnolia — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 20:13:00 GMT

What a great idea - an inexpensive automatic timer plugged into the wall and the slow cooker into it!

I have two Rival Crock Pots - one big (5 qt), one small (2qt). Love them! I have, many times, put frozen meat in mine. Simply cook it long enough to be done. Maybe you could make up a salad ahead and cook just your protein of choice in the cooker, unless you want your veggies in the pot to infuse flavor (onions!). Fresh sliced tomatoes on hand? My husband insists on a "starch", so I often have cold pasta in the fridge that can be tossed with dressing/veggies/olives, to serve with the meat (I don't eat it but I enjoy preparing it).

Cooking potatoes in my little one right now. Love it. Doesn't heat up the kitchen and frees me up to so other things. Once, I broke the insert for the big one and it was easy to order a replacement from the Crock Pot people.

Re: Slow Cooker Questions

dfyre — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 20:21:30 GMT

On 8/21/2014 dfyre said:
I have two - one is a Rival that I think cooks a little hot, and the other is a Temptations that I got about 4-5 years ago from Q. This one is my favorite since on one setting I can brown foods and then just flip it over to slow cook. Sadly, they no longer carry it. I like the time suggestion best but have also assembled the ingredients in a slow cooker liner and then just plop it in in the morning to cook.

So, maybe it's not technically safe, but I put frozen stuff in there pretty often.

Oops - didn't mean Temptations - it's Technique.

Re: Slow Cooker Questions

bells4me — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 20:28:39 GMT

Mine is a Hamilton Beach about 25 years old. I live alone so sometimes will start it the night before on low so I can eat it at noon & again at 6:00. I prefer my pot roast in my Nesco, but one of my favorite crock pot things to make are ham hocks & northern beans. Other items are chili & soups. I have lost a couple of meals when my electric has gone down so I don't use it if I will be gone all day. Besides, I will eat out then.

Re: Slow Cooker Questions

EatWell — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 20:35:10 GMT

On 8/20/2014 dgluvr said:
First- which do you recommend as safest to leave on when not home?

Second- I have weird hours- I go to bed around 4:00A.M.-5:00A.M. Don't feel like "fixing" a dinner at that time--- BUT rest of family has "normal" hours and we like to eat dinner together around 5:30 - 6:00 pm--- SO since Most people prepare their meals in the A.M and it's done when they get home- How would I work this? It would seem if I tried to make a meal before "I" go to bed-- then it would be mush by the time everyone is ready to sit down to dinner. Or not? Will a slow cooker cook frozen? Dh and kids are not "kitchen appliance" "savvy" and wouldn't remember to turn it on in the AM.---- TIA

Get an electric P.C. that also has a slow cooker setting. Then set the timer for "delay start". Done. Btw: do not cook "from frozen" in a slow cooker because of the possibility for bacteria to form. For cooking from frozen, better to use a NuWave Oven or microwave. Or pressure cook your frozen food. Also, use caution plugging your kitchen appliances into timers not meant to carry the electrical load of kitchen appliances. It could cause a fire.

Re: Slow Cooker Questions

sipp — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 20:52:54 GMT

Thank ALL OF YOU! for your suggestions!!! ( and I have a whole house generator so I won't have to worry about power) Really- Thanks so much!!!

Re: Slow Cooker Questions

docsgirl — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 20:55:37 GMT

I have a Rival that I've had for years. I set it before going to work. If it finishes cooking prior to me getting home, it automatically stops the cooking process and turns to the 'warm' setting. I love this feature as I don't have to worry about getting home in time to turn it off. My food does not get soggy. Since I live alone, I pretty much use it about once a week during the school year and it makes several meals for me. It's easy to clean and, to make things easier, I use the plastic liners that are made specifically for slow cookers. I am definitely a morning person and the thought of having to prepare a meal when I get home is not for me. Instead of grabbing junk for a meal, I have a hearty, healthy meal waiting for me. I highly suggest getting one with a 'warm' setting. Good luck. docsgirl

Re: Slow Cooker Questions

Peaches McPhee — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 20:56:59 GMT

I used to feel weird about leaving it on when I wasn't home, too, but then I remembered that I leave all sorts of electric stuff on all the time! Fridge, cable box, lights, alarm clocks.

Re: Slow Cooker Questions

VaBelle35 — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 00:31:50 GMT

On 8/21/2014 ccassaday said: You could get a programmable one that switches to warm automatically after 4 or 8 hours and stops cooking.

This might be a fire hazard. Usually the manual will say that you can't use an extension cord with it.

Plus, if this means putting raw meat in it and leaving it on the counter for a few hours, I wouldn't leave raw meat at room temperature for hours before it turns on. That's a hospital visit waiting to happen.

Re: Slow Cooker Questions

geegerbee — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 01:08:28 GMT

I think you could put it on HIGH when you wake up or when you get up to go to the bathroom. I usually use High and it only takes 2 or 3 hrs. instead of 8 and uses less electricity. I like the suggestion that you put all the ingredients in the liner and put it in the fridge till you get up.

Re: Slow Cooker Questions

Sweetbay magnolia — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 14:22:58 GMT

I checked my Crock Pot owner's guide. Here's what it says about frozen meats:

"When cooking frozen meats, at least 1 cup of warm liquid must first be added. The liquid will act as a "cushion" to prevent sudden temperature changes. An additional 4 hours on LOW or 2 hours on HIGH is typically required. For larger cuts of frozen meat, it may take much longer to defrost and tenderize."

Regarding vegetables:

"Many vegetables benefit from slow cooking and are able to develop their full flavor. They tend not to overcook in you slow cooker as they might in your oven or on your stovetop."

And of course there is the usual verbiage about avoiding sudden temperature changes with ceramic/stoneware to avoid cracking the insert, among other things.