topic Re: Anyone else not like cooking in a crockpot? in Kitchen

Anyone else not like cooking in a crockpot?

Junebug54 — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 22:14:13 GMT

I have been trying a lot of new recipes the past months. Have come to the conclusion that those cooked in a crock pot are not my favorites. Some recipes don't seem to be any easier than, or less work than, my old favorites. One being pot roast braised and simmered in juice for example. Never went wrong with that one. In general, I guess I have found my old favorites (crock pot or not) are the best. Even my old fashioned mac & cheese with white sauce and (can I say it) velveeta cheese!! Going back to my tried and true recipe box. Have a great day everyone!!

Re: Anyone else not like cooking in a crockpot?

Eliana — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 22:17:55 GMT

Nope. There's a roast in my crock pot as I type this.

Re: Anyone else not like cooking in a crockpot?

gulf coast girl — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 22:19:09 GMT

Me, I can't stand slow cooker food. I think everything I've ever made has turned out watery. Yuck, I prefer cooking my roasts in the oven low and slow. I threw my crock pot out.

Re: Anyone else not like cooking in a crockpot?

duclane — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 22:19:19 GMT

Have never liked the crockpot. Everything seems to taste the same. I like layering the flavor of food with seasonings etc. doing each individual step.

Re: Anyone else not like cooking in a crockpot?

chickenbutt — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 22:20:27 GMT

I'm sure you'll take plenty of fire for that stance on this board. I, too, am not a fan of the crock pot cooking.

I get that it's convenient and easy and all that, but I'll go for quality food over convenience every time. But then I've been cooking for well over 50 years, so I can cook pretty much anything. I think that some folks might consider cooking to be complicated. It's really not at all.

Re: Anyone else not like cooking in a crockpot?

Catlove125 — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 22:25:02 GMT

I like the idea of preparing dinner before work and coming home to it cooked in a crock pot. However, I'm scared to leave an appliance plugged in and unattended with no one home! That's why I don't use mine. Weird I know but I'm paranoid of house fire. Otherwise, food I've cooked in it have turned out great, the few times I've used it.

Re: Anyone else not like cooking in a crockpot?

Preds — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 22:28:54 GMT

Love my crock for weekday meals. Prep at night, toss everything in in the morning and ready when I get home. DD is loving hers for the same reasons. We still cook other ways when we can, but will never give up our crocks.

Re: Anyone else not like cooking in a crockpot?

Zita — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 22:29:37 GMT

On 11/16/2014 Catlove125 said: I like the idea of preparing dinner before work and coming home to it cooked in a crock pot. However, I'm scared to leave an appliance plugged in and unattended with no one home! That's why I don't use mine. Weird I know but I'm paranoid of house fire. Otherwise, food I've cooked in it have turned out great, the few times I've used it.

I'm with you! Even when I use it (occasionally), I make sure I'm around the house. I don't know if we're weird or super-cautious. Everyone who cooks this way seems to love it. I tend to add water, just in case, and therefore my food is watery.

Re: Anyone else not like cooking in a crockpot?

Clover29 — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 22:29:57 GMT

Some meals work well in a crockpot, others not so much. I love it for a veggie sausage casserole, that I can start and then leave for the day. I wouldn't dream of making mac and cheese in a crockpot.

Re: Anyone else not like cooking in a crockpot?

Barbarainnc — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 22:31:42 GMT

I don't like to leave anything cooking, while I'm not there.

Re: Anyone else not like cooking in a crockpot?

Goldengate8361 — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 22:35:18 GMT

I love my crock pot for roasts. It's great to put something in and have dinner ready when I get home from work. It doesn't bother me in the least to have it on while I'm gone during the day.

Re: Anyone else not like cooking in a crockpot?

Vamp — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 22:35:22 GMT

Some things are better and easier in the slow cooker, but my experience is even if you can make it in a crock pot doesn't mean you should! In other words, there are some recipes that are not improved, either in taste or in ease of making, by a slow cooker. Nevertheless, I love my crock pot and use it a lot.

Re: Anyone else not like cooking in a crockpot?

Mominohio — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 22:39:39 GMT

I could use some crock pot cooking lessons, I have some books, but they don't help.

Even when following established crock pot recipes, things seem to get overcooked, and mushy.

I have a friend that uses a crock pot a lot, and her food is really good. I should try again, and different things, because the little I have tried really isn't that great.

Re: Anyone else not like cooking in a crockpot?

GCR18 — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 22:40:00 GMT

I have never owned a crock pot, but have been thinking about getting one.

Re: Anyone else not like cooking in a crockpot?

mima — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 22:45:41 GMT

Love my crockpot. Wonderful for those that work all day and want a good hot meal when they get home!

Re: Anyone else not like cooking in a crockpot?

Sunshine Kate — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 22:47:53 GMT

I like crock pot cooking. As a matter of fact, I have chicken and dumplings cooking right now.

Re: Anyone else not like cooking in a crockpot?

Fifi1 — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 22:48:39 GMT

I'm lazy, and put in long hours at work so like the fact I can dump it all in and leave it in low. I'm doing chicken Marsala in mine today...home, but too,lazy to complete all the tasks for my traditional recipe. we shall see! I say whatever works for you, and enjoy!

Re: Anyone else not like cooking in a crockpot?

Junebug54 — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 22:56:33 GMT

duclane I agree with your statement. Everything seems to taste the same. I honestly feel it is just as easy to put something in the oven. I totally understand however, if you are stretched for time. I'm retired and don't have that issue. What brought this up is that I have a pork roast in the crock right now. Everything seems too mushy and liquidy (is that a word)!! Now I will get laughed at for this but........... my favorite kitchen appliance is my electric fry pan. Love it!! And use it a lot.

Re: Anyone else not like cooking in a crockpot?

goodstuff — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 23:00:24 GMT

I love the crock pot for slow-simmered standards like vegetable-beef soup, pot roast with veggies, sauerkraut with apples and pork, and a few other things -- but I don't use it to cook vegetables (with the exception of slow-simmered Southern greens), "casseroles", pasta dishes, desserts, etc., which IMO are usually better prepared other ways. The convenient thing about a crockpot is that you can put in all the ingredients, set it on low, go away for several hours, and come home to a delicious, ready-to-serve meal! But I use it just for a few favorites that are naturals for that kind of cooking and always turn out well. In these cases, the slow simmering is pretty much like what you'd get in an old-fashioned stew-pot on the stovetop or a dutch oven in your oven. Great results.

Re: Anyone else not like cooking in a crockpot?

WSfan — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 23:00:48 GMT

On 11/16/2014 mominohio said:
I could use some crock pot cooking lessons, I have some books, but they don't help.

Even when following established crock pot recipes, things seem to get overcooked, and mushy.

I have a friend that uses a crock pot a lot, and her food is really good. I should try again, and different things, because the little I have tried really isn't that great.

First, I'm going to comment on the posters here who do not care for a crock pot--I say, to each his/her own. If you don't care for it, so be it. You will not receive any bad comments from me. I own several different sizes, and use them all with good results. I understand why you say that things taste the same, but it could be because the recipes are similar. I really don't find that the chicken tastes like beef, and vice versa.

Now a suggestion to mominohio--I have found that possibly you are using too large of a crock pot for your recipe. If the crock pot is not at least 3/4 full, your food will cook too quickly, no matter if you set it to low or high. I have had that happen to me. Also, a lot of times the food cooks faster than the recipe suggests. If it is cooking on high, I turn it down to low, or if your crock pot has a warm setting, I turn it to that; then note it on the recipe and shorten the cooking time. Don't give up on a recipe because it wasn't to your liking the first time. I use my crock pot often and also my electric pressure cooker. I love the idea of doing a little prep work and then having your supper cook itself. It's like having a day off! I do own quite a few crock pot cookbooks. I would suggest the "Fix It and Forget It" series. You also might want to do a little research on crock pot cooking, and troubleshooting your issues. Hope this helps.