Nwmr: crock pots

jd614 · October 2013

How long do you leave your crock plugged in while you are at work ? Mine would be about 11 hrs on low but most recipes call for 6-8 hrs. It's safe to have it on all 11 right ? If I have DH plug it in it would be 10
But that means I have to trust that he remembers while trying to get DS out of the house !

groovygrl · October 2013

You can have it on that long but the problem is that it turns to 'warm' and basically overcooks most things, at least in my experience.

ccam · October 2013

I leave mine one for about 10 hours and have the same problem as @groovygrl . I adjust my cook time a little to compensate for the extra hours on warm though.

I'll have to look into that timer plug that @PrivacyWanted mentioned.

groovygrl · October 2013

I agree the timer to turn it on at a certain time is the best solution...however that doesn't work w the digital ones to my knowledge....I would think by now someone makes one that is programmable like that? I have pretty much given up on crock pots for anything that is not a soup or chili type consistency after too many dried out flavorless mushy results

. Plus all the really good recipes I see usually require quite a bit of pre cook, and I would rather just cook when I get home if I am going to have to do all that...

shannm · October 2013

Assuming it is on low, it is probably safe. I have burned things on high before....

Having said that, I try to avoid extending times too long with most recipes because it gets really dry. Beef is pretty forgiving, brisket is my favorite. Also, if you plan to shred chicken or pork and then mix it in a sauce, it would probably be ok.

jf198400 · October 2013

I have the same problem, plus it makes me nervous to leave it on when were not home. I only use mine when I am WFH or on the weekend.

Divallyn · October 2013

Mine is a digital one and it turns off after the set time runs out.

Kewii · October 2013

I agree with using a timer.

Though the other thing I used to do was cook the food overnight (6-8 hours) the day before. Then in the morning pop it in the fridge so it just had to be warmed up for dinner.

Krisands · October 2013

I have a timer that I bought from Walmart that that it just plugs into.

Soxgirl07 · October 2013

Also, I put the food in a casserole dish inside the crockpot and water in between. It slows down the cooking time and allows me to make smaller portions. Doesn't work for all dishes though.

emberlee3 · October 2013

I almost never use mine while I am at work because I haven't found any recipes that survive 10+ hours. I love it for WFH days or weekends. I like to put the food in during naptime and cook on high for 3 hours. I have tried cooking overnight, but the smell bothers me. I just don't want to smell chili all night. I sometimes make chicken stock overnight, but that's about all I can stand.

NicoleWI · October 2013

I have often left ours about 10 hours on low with no problem.

Themetastic · October 2013

Mine has a timer on it, so after the 6 or 8 hour setting, it goes to warm. I am gone 13 hours a day.

EMOmamma · October 2013

I used to work with a woman who brought her crockpot to work with her. She'd get it all prepped at home then bring it in and just start it later.

DallasHorn · October 2013

I have a different timer solution...get a automatic timer that turns it on/off are your set times - like the kind you use to turn on / off a light in your house while you are on vacation. Prep the crock the night before and put it in the fridge. Before you leave, put the crock in the pot, and set the timer to START at the desired time. Since the crock is porcline, it will retain the cold for a while. I've done this to start things 2 - 3 hours AFTER I leave. Always has worked great so that things don't get dried out.

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Nwmr: crock pots

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