dumb crockpot question

[Anonymous]

I just got my first crockpot for Christmas. My mom had one growing up but I have never used one. My goal was to be able to put something together the night before, pop it in the crockpot on my way out the door in the morning, then have a basically ready dinner when I get home from work (have 1 kid with another on the way, plus DH is about to have major surgery).

I started looking for the first time at recipes and it seems many of them only require 3-4 hours of cooking. Presumably this wouldn't work for my day to day needs, because it would be all dried out by the time I'm home. Is it really doable to use the crockpot as I was hoping--just stick to recipes that require 8 hours or so cooking time? Or presumably you can keep it at a temperature high enough to keep away bacteria but not so high as to overcook the food?

I realize this is a dumb question, but would appreciate some advice before I actually start using the thing...

[Anonymous]

We do lots of things that take all day, make sure you use the low setting. For a lot of things, extra cooking time won't hurt it.

Our go to recipes include chili, pork for pulled pork, pot roast, and various bean dishes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just got my first crockpot for Christmas. My mom had one growing up but I have never used one. My goal was to be able to put something together the night before, pop it in the crockpot on my way out the door in the morning, then have a basically ready dinner when I get home from work (have 1 kid with another on the way, plus DH is about to have major surgery).

I started looking for the first time at recipes and it seems many of them only require 3-4 hours of cooking. Presumably this wouldn't work for my day to day needs, because it would be all dried out by the time I'm home. Is it really doable to use the crockpot as I was hoping--just stick to recipes that require 8 hours or so cooking time? Or presumably you can keep it at a temperature high enough to keep away bacteria but not so high as to overcook the food?

I realize this is a dumb question, but would appreciate some advice before I actually start using the thing...

Most have multiple settings. So usually recipes will say 4 hours on high but 8 hours on low, in which case you'd just use the low setting.

Others have a timer/programmable function that lets you cook it x hours on low, and then it switches over to the warm setting, which just keeps the food hot and safe for a few hours.

[Anonymous]

PP here. By the way your question is not dumb. My parents never owned one and I got my first crockpot as a gift when I was 30.

[Anonymous]

Although recipes that only take 3-4 hours won't work during the week, they can be useful on the weekend, when you go out for the afternoon and come home to a prepared meal. But for during the week, you want to look for recipes that take 8-10 hours to cook.

I have found that the convenience of the crock pot, to come home to hot, prepared, ready-to-eat meal is awesome. The meal itself is never as good as the same meal made on the stove or in the oven, but you can't leave those meals unattended while you leave the house. Don't set your expectations too unrealistically high, taste-wise.

[Anonymous]

Suggestions for crock pot recipes that don't involve beef or pork? DH doesn't eat those but I would love to use our crock pot more this winter! We do a chicken taco in them that I like and I will often roast a chicken on the weekend to shred and use in various things during the week but would love other ideas!

[Anonymous]

Also know that newer crockpots cook at higher temperatures than older ones did so you may have to adjust the times a bit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Suggestions for crock pot recipes that don't involve beef or pork? DH doesn't eat those but I would love to use our crock pot more this winter! We do a chicken taco in them that I like and I will often roast a chicken on the weekend to shred and use in various things during the week but would love other ideas!

http://www.eatliverun.com/crock-pot-chickpea-butternut-squash-and-red-lentil-stew/

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/vegetable-chickpea-curry

http://therecipecritic.com/2012/07/slow-cooker-cashew-chicken/

[Anonymous]

I know a lot of people who leave them on all day while they're at work, but I just can't feel comfortable doing that. I wish I could, though. But OP--when I use it when I'm at home I will put it on the lower setting for 8-10 hours. I think it goes directly to "warm" after that.

[Anonymous]

I use a timer that turns the crockpot on at 1 or 2 pm so it cooks 4 hours and is ready by 5 or 6. You need to have a crockpot with a physical switch, not an electronic one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I use a timer that turns the crockpot on at 1 or 2 pm so it cooks 4 hours and is ready by 5 or 6. You need to have a crockpot with a physical switch, not an electronic one.

So the food sits in the crockpot with no heat for hours before it starts to cook? Is that safe?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I use a timer that turns the crockpot on at 1 or 2 pm so it cooks 4 hours and is ready by 5 or 6. You need to have a crockpot with a physical switch, not an electronic one.

So the food sits in the crockpot with no heat for hours before it starts to cook? Is that safe?

I usually start with frozen meat so it thaws for a few hours then cooks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Suggestions for crock pot recipes that don't involve beef or pork? DH doesn't eat those but I would love to use our crock pot more this winter! We do a chicken taco in them that I like and I will often roast a chicken on the weekend to shred and use in various things during the week but would love other ideas!

http://www.eatliverun.com/crock-pot-chickpea-butternut-squash-and-red-lentil-stew/

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/vegetable-chickpea-curry

http://therecipecritic.com/2012/07/slow-cooker-cashew-chicken/

Turkey chili, curried chicken thighs, turkey sausage with marinara, anything with chick peas

[Anonymous]

I would dump the recipes that come with it. There are a lot that need 7 to 8 hours. Also, probably too late, but they sell crockpots with timers so it switches to warm after the selected amount of time.

[Anonymous]

The book Make it Fast Cook it Slow is a great intro to crockpot cooking. I love it. There's another one (Not Your Moms Crockpot Recipes? I can't remember the name and can't find it right now) that is also good.

There is a ton you can make over an 8-10 hour day. I prep stew the night before, store in the fridge overnight and then just hit start in the morning. Chilli is another that can cook all day, there's tons of soups that you can make, and pulled pork is a good crock pot recipe.