NBR- I need crock pot help.

ChelseyB5186

Since starting meal planning last week, I've been making a lot of dinners in the crock pot, which I LOVE.  However, I'm finding that almost all of my meals are becoming dried out.  I don't know what I'm doing wrong.  I've made pot roast, chicken, and pork, and almost of all of them are dry.  Last night I made chicken teriyaki, and the chicken was really dried out, I was so bummed.  I follow the recipe, and leave it on low for usually around 8 hours.  Most of the recipes contain a lot of juices, so you wouldn't think it would dry the meat out, since it sits in moisture all day, right? The obvious answer would be, don't cook it as long, but how do I know how long to cook it, if you're not supposed to lift the lid to check on it all the time?  Any tips, tricks, or advice?  I feel like my low setting may be too hot, but I have no way of changing it.  I just have a simple, low, high, or warm setting with a timer crock pot, nothing fancy. TIA!

huahualove

Does your crockpot have a warm heat? My low is still pretty high so half way through cooking on low I drop it down to warm and mine never drys out. Could be what I make also. ETA: I see you said it had a warm heat. I meant to ask if you've tried using it on warm.

ChelseyB5186

huahualove:

Does your crockpot have a warm heat? My low is still pretty high so half way through cooking on low I drop it down to warm and mine never drys out. Could be what I make also. ETA: I see you said it had a warm heat. I meant to ask if you've tried using it on warm.

I've never tried cooking it on warm...I usually cook it entirely on low, and then when it's about ready to be served, or the time goes off, I turn it to warm.  It's not usually on warm for very long though. 

manning15j

Do you put any broth or water in the pot, about an inch, I have also browned the outside of my meat before putting it in the crock pot to seal in the juices.

kimdw1

Oops. Nevermind. I can't read.

MegSowers

I really have no idea- but just a thought - have you tried cooking something that requires juice/water on the bottom and seeing if that dish stays moist? If it does, then maybe it's the cooking time or recipe. If it is dry, can there be something wrong with the lid? I have found that many recipes don't require as long in my crock pot, but it's just a matter of experimenting. 

katieh1017

My crockpot cooks fast on low like yours. I cook on low for 6 hours and its perfect. Why don't you check on it at some point around then and see how it's doing around 6 hrs? I know you let out some heat but it's ok, I do it all the time because mine cooks hot and I've had things dry out and that sucks after smelling it all day! 

DinabethL

Make sure you are adding enough liquid. Because it cooks over a long time, the liquid will evaporate. Always make sure there is more than you think you need. I usually add chicken broth.