I love cooking with my crock pot! Not only does it keep the heat down in my kitchen, but it only uses as much electricity as a single light bulb!
Here are s few tips and tricks, and further down the page are some great recipes!
My food seems to be cooking too fast – what should I do?
If cooking the High setting, and food has been
cooking for less than 5-6 hours, turn the setting to low to slow down the cooking process.
Can I place ingredients in the slow cooker the night before and leave it in the refrigerator?
Yes, but it is very important to understand that
starting cooking with cold stoneware and cold food will affect the ramp up time of the slow cooker. Always add sufficient time into the cook time to ensure food is safe, as well as tender. It is recommended to use an instant read thermometer when cooking with chilled stoneware and chilled food to ensure food temperatures reach well above 165°F and test to ensure food is tender.
What’s the difference between "Low" and "High" cooking?
Both High and Low stabilize at the same temperature, it is just a matter of how long it takes to reach the simmer point.
Once food reaches the simmer point, total cook time is dependent on cut and weight of meat to reach the point of maximum flavor and texture potential.
(Most dishes can be prepared on either High or Low.)
What are the typical cook times for Crock-Pot® slow cookers?
Typical cook time for Crock-Pot® slow cookers to
reach simmer point (209°F):
Low: 7-8 to reach the simmer point
High: 3-4 hours to reach the simmer point
Does the water evaporate in a Crock-Pot® slow cooker?
Slow cookers have very little evaporation. If making a stove top recipe for a soup, stew, or sauce reduce liquid or water. If the meal result is too thick, liquids can be added later.
Can I open the lid or stir when the food is slow cooking?
Due to the nature of a slow cooker, there is no
need to stir the food unless it specifically says to in your recipe. In fact, taking the lid off to stir food causes the slow cooker to lose a significant amount of heat, extending the cooking time required. Therefore, it is best not to remove the lid for stirring.
These questions and answers are from The Crock Pot website.
Here are s few tips and tricks, and further down the page are some great recipes!
My food seems to be cooking too fast – what should I do?
If cooking the High setting, and food has been
cooking for less than 5-6 hours, turn the setting to low to slow down the cooking process.
Can I place ingredients in the slow cooker the night before and leave it in the refrigerator?
Yes, but it is very important to understand that
starting cooking with cold stoneware and cold food will affect the ramp up time of the slow cooker. Always add sufficient time into the cook time to ensure food is safe, as well as tender. It is recommended to use an instant read thermometer when cooking with chilled stoneware and chilled food to ensure food temperatures reach well above 165°F and test to ensure food is tender.
What’s the difference between "Low" and "High" cooking?
Both High and Low stabilize at the same temperature, it is just a matter of how long it takes to reach the simmer point.
Once food reaches the simmer point, total cook time is dependent on cut and weight of meat to reach the point of maximum flavor and texture potential.
(Most dishes can be prepared on either High or Low.)
What are the typical cook times for Crock-Pot® slow cookers?
Typical cook time for Crock-Pot® slow cookers to
reach simmer point (209°F):
Low: 7-8 to reach the simmer point
High: 3-4 hours to reach the simmer point
Does the water evaporate in a Crock-Pot® slow cooker?
Slow cookers have very little evaporation. If making a stove top recipe for a soup, stew, or sauce reduce liquid or water. If the meal result is too thick, liquids can be added later.
Can I open the lid or stir when the food is slow cooking?
Due to the nature of a slow cooker, there is no
need to stir the food unless it specifically says to in your recipe. In fact, taking the lid off to stir food causes the slow cooker to lose a significant amount of heat, extending the cooking time required. Therefore, it is best not to remove the lid for stirring.
These questions and answers are from The Crock Pot website.
Crock Pot Recipes
BBQ Chicken
Ingredients
* 4-6 pieces chicken (I use boneless breasts)
* 1 bottle BBQ sauce
* 1/2 cup white vinegar
* 1/2 cup brown sugar
* 1 tsp. mesquite seasoning (you may substitute with 1 tablespoon liquid smoke)
* 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
* 1/2-1 tsp. red pepper flakes
Directions
1. Mix BBQ sauce with all ingredients listed under it.
2. Place chicken in crockpot. Pour sauce over all.
3. Cook in crockpot set on low heat about 4-5 hours or until chicken is falling-off-the-bone tender
BBQ Chicken
Ingredients
* 4-6 pieces chicken (I use boneless breasts)
* 1 bottle BBQ sauce
* 1/2 cup white vinegar
* 1/2 cup brown sugar
* 1 tsp. mesquite seasoning (you may substitute with 1 tablespoon liquid smoke)
* 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
* 1/2-1 tsp. red pepper flakes
Directions
1. Mix BBQ sauce with all ingredients listed under it.
2. Place chicken in crockpot. Pour sauce over all.
3. Cook in crockpot set on low heat about 4-5 hours or until chicken is falling-off-the-bone tender