Crockpot Questions

[Joyce]

Could someone help me out? I am thinking of buying a crock pot, however in looking at a bunch of C/L recipes, they all call for 1 hr. at high heat before turning to low, and the majority of them call for seven hrs at low heat. Since I leave the house at about 7:00 am and return about 5:30 (a period of about 10 1/2 hr) the crock pot idea seems impractical for me. Does any one know of a way around these obstacles? I would love to come home to dinner waiting. Thanks.

[mightyh]

Joyce - MOST (but not 100%) of crock pot recipes can sit for longer than their posted times--the meat will usually just get more tender. Also, in general, one hour on high is equal to two hours on low so by being gone longer you might end up with the "right" time.

[SHERRY]

I recently saw an add for a crockpot that has an electric temp control. I think it would allow you to set really low for a specific amount of time then switch to high heat for a desired amount of time.
Anyway, with all the great advancements in kitchen gadgets, you should look into finding one that will allow you to adjust the time and temp to your needs.

If this doesn't work out, as mentioned above, many dishes can cook on low for a longer amount of time than called for.

[SandyM]

What do you all prefer - crock pot or slow cooker? Apparently there is a difference - you can't make crockpot recipes in slow cookers, and vice versa - at least that's what I've read.

I have a slow cooker, but wonder what I'm missing out on.

[lanie]

I just bought a CorningWare crockpot (think they are reasonably new) and it has an auto setting that starts HI for 2 hours then goes to LOW for rest of cooking time - I love it - it can also go in the oven, on top of stove, in Microwave - really good!

[Shirley Panek]

SandyM -

I think Crock Pot is a brand name. I have 2 Rival Crockpots (the Crock Pot has a little "registered" mark by the name), and they both say slow-cooker after the name.

I don't see why you can't use your slow cooker for all crock pot recipes.

http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
Shirley

[Joyce]

OK, I am learning a lot...I was under the impression that a slow cooker IS a crockpot and vice versa...does anyone have any more info regarding this???

[Joyce]

OK, if anyone is interested, after research, I have found that a slow-cooker cooks with heat coming from the bottom, and needs to be stirred several times, while a crock pot cooks by "surrounding" heat and mingles the flavors better (at least that is what the net tells me.) I guess I will go with a crock pot.

[SandyM]

Right, Joyce. My slow cooker (rectangular shaped) rests on a non-stick base, which plugs in and heats up. The base can also be used as a griddle. A crock pot rests inside the unit and cooks from all around. I don't know why they aren't interchangeable - maybe it involves food safety?

[LGBurns]

I'm still confused about which is which. I happened to be looking at an old Eating Well this morning and noticed that in the Patsy's Kitchen section, Patsy Jamieson had a column on "Crock Cookery." The picture on the front of the article sure looks like a crock pot to me, but throughout the article she calls it a slow cooker.

Some other notes she makes:
- brown meats and aromatic vegetables such as onions on the stovetop before placing them in a slow cooker.
- she claims food can be overcooked in a slow cooker; "watch cooking times."
- whole poultry will not cook evenly in a slow cooker; cut it into pieces and cook on high.

I don't have a crock ... slow ... one of those things, so I'm anything but an expert.

[Susan]

I thought this article from The Hartford Courant
September 20, 2000 might be helpful. http://www.ctnow.com/scripts/editorial.dll?render=y&eetype=Article&eeid=3109554&ck=&userid=282339793&userpw=.&uh=282339793,0,&ver=2.11

Slow Cookers Change
A reader e-mailed the Food desk to comment on a recipe story about crock-pots - or slow cookers, as they are now called - that appeared in the Food section last Wednesday. This man finds that his new crock-pot, a 6-quart Hamilton Beach model, takes less time to cook than his original cooker by the same company.

Through some research, he found that his old model had a temperature setting of 140 degrees for low. The new model is 180 degrees at low. He says food reaches the boiling point in about 4 to 5 hours.

A call to Hamilton Beach Proctor-Silex in Glen Allen, VA., confirmed that the new pots have a higher temperature on low. The change was made to prevent any food contamination and ensure that foods cook to the proper temperature.

Crock-pot cooks should consult the manual that accompanies the cooker and adjust recipes they find elsewhere accordingly. As our e-mailer points out, he has found that a 4-pound pot roast, cooked in his new pot, "is over-done after six hours on low." He compared his experience with the recipe for flank steak with gravy, published in the crock-pot story, which listed cooking times as 8 to 10 hours on "low." This recipe was taken from an older crock-pot cookbook, whose recipes were developed for the older models.

[Joyce]

This thread has turned into a definitive font of knowledge!! After searching the net most of the morning (I'm expecting to be fired!!) I have found that many mfgs. are now using the terms indiscrimately. For instance, Rival is advertising a "slow cooker" that cooks all around, and so are several others. I guess I will just have to look for the best price with the features I want. Most of the new pots list 200 degrees for low and 300 for high.

[GayeC]

Originally posted by Joyce:
Could someone help me out? I am thinking of buying a crock pot, however in looking at a bunch of C/L recipes, they all call for 1 hr. at high heat before turning to low, and the majority of them call for seven hrs at low heat. Since I leave the house at about 7:00 am and return about 5:30 (a period of about 10 1/2 hr) the crock pot idea seems impractical for me. Does any one know of a way around these obstacles? I would love to come home to dinner waiting. Thanks.

Joyce -- I have never cooked anything on high and then switched to low in my Crockpot. I just set it on low in the morning, am gone all day, and usually find that the recipe has turned out great by dinner time. Gaye

[bhgirl]

Joyce- Don't despair if you don't find a crockpot with a timer feature or if it's out of your price range there's a simple solution: Buy a timer (like you use for lighting in your home). Plug your crockpot into the timer, set your times and you're on your way. Timer will probably run you about $4.99. I just did this yesterday and it works well.

[Beth]

Joyce, I saw that Target has a programmable crock pot or slow cooker on sale this week. Since Target is everywhere, I thought that might be an option for you (they are also on line: Target.com). I think it was $39.99, which is about $10 off. I have been thinking about one too. Am debating whether to get this one, but the Corning one looks good too.

[This message has been edited by Beth (edited 11-29-2000).]

[browneye]

I am shooting this back to the top for those who were looking for answers to the crockpot cooking time question....hope this will help.