Hi moms! I'm looking to buy a new crockpot with a timer on it. Would like to start using it more this fall, but I'm a working mom who is gone roughly about 9 hours from the time I leave in the morning, to when I get home early evening (usually by 5:30).
In looking at many crockpots recipes, the average times are usually 4 or 8 hours. By the time I get home...I've often noticed that my food is a little overcooked and obviously cannot try any recipes that require less than 8 hours (except for on the weekends....but during the week is when I can use it more). So I am interested in buying a new crockpot, but was hoping that maybe some of you may have one that you would recommend?
Also any tips on the shorter timed recipes .... would be better to cook first thing in the morning and have it sit there till I get home or have the timer start cooking it later in the day, so it'll be ready when I get home. Which is safer?
Any recommendations and tips would greatly be appreciated.
Thank you everyone! I checked out all the suggestions you gave. I found that the Hamilton one Diane mentioned would work out the best for me. I tried it today and cooked a Pulled Pork and it came out great. It was the best one yet.
I have a rival with a digital timer. I get it going around 7 in the morning and we eat around 6. It also has a warming feature once the cooking time is done. I love it.
I have a cuisinart that is amazing. It not only has a timer, but it has a warm setting it will switch to when time is up. Perfect for all of your stews, ribs, pot roasts!
Hi T.-
I have Rival Crockpot Smart Pot. It has a high setting for either 4 hours or 6 hours, and a low setting for 8 or 10 hours. It will changed to a warm setting once is it has finished it's intial set cooking time. I have had it for almost 2 years now and am very happy with it. There are tons on recipes online if you search for easy crockpot recipes. Hope this helps.
J.
have you tried all recipes.com.they have some easy and delicious meal ideas? i am not sure about different crockpots.
I second the idea of getting the light timer - they work great! As for your second question, I would have the timer start cooking it later in the day - if it turns off to not overcook, it just sits around tepid, which is prime location for food-borne yuckiness. You can always set it to be done just a little sooner than you'd get home and then have it sit on "warm."
I don't know anything about the newer crockpots with timers but I had this same question about ten years ago. An older, more experienced working Mom told me to use a timer that you usually use for lights...and I still do. I just plug my crockpot into the timer and set it for when I want it to turn on and off. My crockpot has a warming feature so I usually set it to be done about 45 minutes before we plan to eat and then work backwards (the food stays plenty hot). I sometimes make the larger quantity and then freeze the leftover portion for another meal. Good luck and enjoy -there's nothing like walking in the door to great smells!
Hi,
I got a Hamilton Beach crockpot a few months ago and have been happy about it. You can usually find them on sale someplace. This one can either be set to cook for a certain time (either high or low) can be set to cook to a certain temp (it has a probe so you can put it in a chicken or whatever and it will cook until it is up to temp) and when it is done it stays on warm until you turn it off.
good luck
