What's in Your Crock Pot

[snoqpass]

Rabbit

[nickwm21]

This seems appropriate here... flame away, crock pot enthusiasts.

FWIW I agree with the article's conclusions - it always seems like things don't come out as good from the crock pot as they do from the oven or stovetop for me. (Except Thanksgiving stuffing, which is the single highest and best use of a crockpot as far as I'm concerned.)

I said something similar a few years ago on this thread. I still agree, and would rather run my Dutch oven at 225 for 6-8 hours for all of the recipes mentioned above. But... the allure of a slow cooker is the set it and forget it ability. Whenever I use mine, it's ran overnight or when I am at work.

[Dantheman]

But... the allure of a slow cooker is the set it and forget it ability. Whenever I use mine, it's ran overnight or when I am at work.

You can do that with the dutch oven, too.

[grskier]

You can do that with the dutch oven, too.

I can't... the better half will automatically turn it off if we leave...

But won't bat an eye for the crock pot

[bagtagley]

I can't... the better half will automatically turn it off if we leave...

Ha! My wife used to do the same thing. We got into it once, and I asked if she preferred a burned down house or botulism, because I wasn't going to dump out all that food. I just started setting the auto start on the oven to turn on right after she left for work. I used to cook in a Dutch oven a lot, but the pressure cooker has all but replaced it.

[nickwm21]

You can do that with the dutch oven, too.

My crockpot turns down to warm after the timer expires. My oven just has a temp knob, not programmable.

[Pegleg]

My crockpot turns down to warm after the timer expires. My oven just has a temp knob, not programmable.

For 90% of recipes, you can just leave it in the oven at 225 for the entire time and it'll come out fine. Turning a crock pot down to "warm" doesn't stop the cooking, it just slows it, and long slow braise cooking isn't really a precision timing kind of cooking anyway.

[Dantheman]

I can't... the better half will automatically turn it off if we leave...

But won't bat an eye for the crock pot

Who says women aren't rational?

[oftpiste]

Said this in the other thread, but try keeping your braise temp at 210 instead of 225. Stays below boiling point which completely changes the texture of things and you literally can't overcook it. There's some sort of chemistry/physics explanation for why not boiling meat (anything over 212) makes it so much better which I can't remember, but it seriously works.

For 90% of recipes, you can just leave it in the oven at 225 for the entire time and it'll come out fine. Turning a crock pot down to "warm" doesn't stop the cooking, it just slows it, and long slow braise cooking isn't really a precision timing kind of cooking anyway.

[Pegleg]

Said this in the other thread, but try keeping your braise temp at 210 instead of 225. Stays below boiling point which completely changes the texture of things and you literally can't overcook it. There's some sort of chemistry/physics explanation for why not boiling meat (anything over 212) makes it so much better which I can't remember, but it seriously works.

I think the Serious Eats article explains that if you keep the oven temp at 225, the braise will actually equalize at about 180-190 degrees, well below boiling, and that's why they recommend 225. The temp of the braise will only rise once all the liquid is evaporated, which of course you don't want to happen so you'll take it out of the oven long before the liquid is gone.

[oftpiste]

^^^good to know. Will have to stick a thermometer in the oven sometime to see if that's true. Makes sense for sure.

[Danno]

boiling point for many folks on this board is quite a few degrees lower than 212.

[riser4]

This seems appropriate here... flame away, crock pot enthusiasts.

FWIW I agree with the article's conclusions - it always seems like things don't come out as good from the crock pot as they do from the oven or stovetop for me. (Except Thanksgiving stuffing, which is the single highest and best use of a crockpot as far as I'm concerned.)

Blasphemy! The best stuffing is done in the oven! I like it crispy on the outside and creamy in the middle. I've never gotten the right results out of slow cooker stuffing.

[Pegleg]

Blasphemy! The best stuffing is done in the oven! I like it crispy on the outside and creamy in the middle. I've never gotten the right results out of slow cooker stuffing.

Really? Mine comes out perfect, super creamy (almost bread pudding-like) in the middle, but the sides and bottom get crispy. One trick I use is to buy a few extra turkey parts (wings, backs, whatever's cheap and fatty) and lay them on top of the stuffing while it's cooking. The drippings make it taste like it was stuffed in the bird, without having to overcook everything in order to kill any nasty bugs.

I suppose you could put it in a pan and broil it quickly at the end to crisp up the top, but I've never felt the need.

[mc96f0]

You do not need to be an expert to use a crock pot when cooking a meal. Just perfect for working people! After 8 hours in the office, you can simply switch on the cooking appliance to keep the leftovers warm and ready to eat.

[Bobby Stainless]

Wife did some Salisbury Steaks the other night, that were on point.

Italian beef this week.

[schwerty]

Wife did some Salisbury Steaks the other night, that were on point.

Italian beef this week.

I cold tear into an Italian beef sammy right now.

[stuckathuntermtn]

Huh huh. Huhuhuh.

[kevinskis]

Venision roast! The best.

[Tye 1on]

Anybody have experience with those spice/sauce packets labeled for crock pots? I used the rib mix on some country ribs and the pot roast one for a beef stew, both turned out great. They were $1.79 each so kept with the low-cost/dirtbag advantages of the crock pot....

[Danno]

Nope. But I'm intrigued and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

[Danno]

Anyone have a good recipe for pinto beans? We have a giant bag of dried beans, need to use them.

[MakersTeleMark]

Easily replicated with your spice cabinet and some Better Than Bullion.

YMMV, but, you know there is a ton of sodium and who the fuck knows what else.

[MakersTeleMark]

Anyone have a good recipe for pinto beans? We have a giant bag of dried beans, need to use them.

Yes, bean burger that shit. I hate beans. Seriously though, burgers. Either add, or make them solo with some love. Sorry.

[Kenny Satch]

Chilly with "organic" turkey (can't always be sure) and black beans
the wife made it yesterday but it tasted better tonight
we're starting to use the crock pot a lot more these days....great cooking tool