So I'm finally upgrading my 20 plus year old slow cooker to a programmable one. I need to be able to put the meals in around 7 am and leave them until 5:30 - 6:00 pm. Since I have never had a programmable slow cooker I've had never left food in it for 10 plus hours. So when you cook on low for 6-7 hours then have it turn over to "warm" have you had problems with it drying out, reducing too much etc? I plan on doing Chili, Soups, Sloppy Joe's, pulled pork etc. Will these things dry out or reduce to much being in there for so long?
What are your favorite slow cooker meals that do well in the crock pot for this long?
Thank you! I've left food in while running around for a few hours but never 10 plus hours. My old one only had a low and a high and would surely dry stuff out I think. Can't wait for the new one to arrive!
always add more water or broth to a crockpot then you think it needs, you can always drain the extra water or broth off at the end of the cooking cycle, less chance of it drying out too. K. h.
For my girlfriend's birthday, I bought her a programmable crock pot...she's in love!!! She even used it for her Christmas Ham!! (she do a ham and turkey)...and it was great!!!
You need to keep the lid on it and sealed until you are ready to eat it.
I do a lot of pot roasts in the crock pot...and chicken...no real recipes...sorry!! Kinda fly by the seat of my pants!
Don't be afraid to leave a crock pot on while you're gone. That's the whole point in what they're for. lol I use mine all the time, it doesn't usually dry out, it gets more liquid from the meat. But I would still make sure it's set to warm after probably 4-6 hours. I have 7 crock pots and the newer ones heat up way hotter than my older ones. You will be able to judge easier once you do a couple. One of our favorite CP meals is put in b/s chicken breasts then add a rinsed, drained can of black beans, drained corn and a jar of salsa. Last half hour add a block of cream cheese. Serve it with baked potatoes. Did you know you can do those in the CP too? Just poke them, wrap in foil and put in the CP and cook on low all day. DO NOT add water. They taste better than baked. Also, I put a roast in and sprinkle with seasoning and that's it. There are a ton. Good luck!
I make roasts (beef and pork) I make chicken, I make soups, stews, lasagna etc in my crock pot. I love it. my favorite roast recipe is super easy. if you want it let me know I will private message it to you. I have a whole bunch of easy crock pot recipes. and my fav cookbook is called fix it and forget it. grab one of those. they are wonderful. But wanted to say you can leave things in for 8 -10 hours without a problem. as long as there is liquid. but don't over do the liquid either or your meat will come out like mush lol.
separate note. The crock pots do not start houses on fire. There is a huge difference between leaving a crock pot going and leaving a fan that can tip over. so no worries about that.
I never go off and leave small appliances running. I usually keep most of them unplugged and put up. The toaster goes under a rack, the can opener sits in a cubby, the Keurig...well, I only get it out when I want hot cocoa.
I had a friend lose her house and pets when they went down the road to a baseball game. Their fan tipped over and the house burned down. So I just make sure everything is off.
If I'm going to cook in a slow cooker I do it overnight or on the weekends. I put the inside crock in the fridge and then I heat individual servings as we need them in the microwave.
I use mine all the time and don't have any issues with dried food. Just be sure to program it to go to warm from the high or low setting after 4-6 hours. My favorite recipe is shredded chicken. I make it and then freeze it and put it into various dishes:
4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Top with a packet of low sodium taco seasoning
top with a jar of salsa.
Cook on low 6 hours. Shred and serve in tacos or over salad.
I only use out slow cooker for the kind of stuff you mention (soups and wet stuff... not roasts etc) and my schedule is similar to yours.
I never have had a problem with it drying out.
Things don't really reduce or dry out much in a slow cooker because the lid is on tight. They get soft.
Chili works well. Taco soup (aka tortilla soup... don't add chips to the pot.. put them in the bowls pour soup over). Spaghetti sauce (then just make pasta quickly when you get home), Beef stew.
It could reduce quite a bit, at least I've found that to be true. Maybe put in a little extra sauce? Just a thought. Happy Cooking!
I love mine! much less likely to dry out than the old one!
ha! i didn't even realize they came in 'programmable'!
i've had the same one for over a decade now. i throw whatever it is on low, and have yet to have any issues with drying out. but i generally use plenty of sauce.
khairete
S.
