Way OT: Slow Cooker / Crockpots
From: PlumLake@webtv.net (Kathy)
Date: Thu, 7 Apr 2005 15:48:25 -0500
I apologize for the OT, but this is just about the only group I post towhere this subject might even be remotely considered on topic.
I believe in the past some of you have discussed using a Crockpot (orSlow Cooker) to get dinner on the table. I was just wondering...
I have a Rival Crockpot that has the following settings: off, low, highand warm. This is the kind of Crockpot that has a earthenware typecrock that fits into the heated outer part.
When you use your Crockpot, do you find that the lid jiggles and rattlesa bit (even when it's set on low)? And does moisture collect around thelip and spatter on the counter and floor? Also, do you find that thingsget done and dry out way sooner than they are supposed to?
I'm just wondering if I'm doing something wrong or if these problems arecommon? Any recommendations?
Right now I'm making one of those Banquet frozen crockpot meals...it'ssupposed to take 8-10 hours and it's already done at 5 hours on low.Maybe I have a bad crockpot? Or these frozen meals are just not good?(I do cook from scratch too...but I'm not ashamed to say that the frozenfoods section can be my friend as well!)
Thanks,Kathy
From: Nan
Date: Thu, 07 Apr 2005 22:57:19 GMT
On Thu, 7 Apr 2005 15:48:25 -0500, PlumLake@webtv.net (Kathy) wrote:
>>I apologize for the OT, but this is just about the only group I post to>where this subject might even be remotely considered on topic.>>I believe in the past some of you have discussed using a Crockpot (or>Slow Cooker) to get dinner on the table. I was just wondering...>>I have a Rival Crockpot that has the following settings: off, low, high>and warm. This is the kind of Crockpot that has a earthenware type>crock that fits into the heated outer part. >>When you use your Crockpot, do you find that the lid jiggles and rattles>a bit (even when it's set on low)? And does moisture collect around the>lip and spatter on the counter and floor? Also, do you find that things>get done and dry out way sooner than they are supposed to? >>I'm just wondering if I'm doing something wrong or if these problems are>common? Any recommendations?
The glass lid on mine will rattle a bit if I'm cooking something witha lot of liquid, on high setting.It sounds like yours runs hot, considering something on low is gettingdone/overdone too soon.
Nan
From: an588@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Catherine Woodgold)
Date: 8 Apr 2005 00:28:20 GMT
Well, some recipes point out that ovens vary so thatcooking time may not be exactly what the recipe said.
You could try adding extra water at the beginning withevery recipe, to help compensate, as well as maybeplanning on shorter cooking times.--CathyA *much* better world is possible.
From: "Weezie"
Date: 7 Apr 2005 19:58:02 -0700
I don't know anything about crockpots, but there is a group that mightbe able to help you:
rec.food.cooking
Best,
Luiza
From: Mary_Gordon@tvo.org (Mary Gordon)
Date: 7 Apr 2005 23:01:40 -0700
Sounds to me like the lid doesn't fit properly and/or there issomething wrong with the temperature settings (i.e. running too hot).I have a big oval Rival as well with a heavy glass lid and ceramicliner. Its only a couple of years old and it doesn't spatter, andthings don't dry out. The lid fits quite snuggly, and the moisturedoesn't get out (i.e. it runs down the inside of the lid and back intothe pot.)
Have you tried recipes from sites like this one http://southernfood.about.com/library/crock/blcpidx.htmI've had very good luck with them. I'm only mentioning this site tomake sure the dryness isn't related to the recipes you are using,although I'm much more suspicous of your lid and your unit runninghotter than it should.
I'd be canvassing my friends and neighbours to see if someone has asimilar unit you could borrow and try out to see if what you'reexperiencing is due to the unit being faulty.
Mary G.