BS: Crockpot recommendations

Subject: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Little Hawk
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 09:11 PM

What basically works the best these days for cooking everything from soup to rice to stew to whatever....? It would help if it has a safety feature to turn it off if left unattended for too long. And what do they cost, in general?

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Janie
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 09:43 PM

Oops. I thought it said "Crackpot" recommendations. I was going to offer that there are a number of us around this place.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: number 6
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 09:47 PM

They don't cost that much L.H. ... safe to say $40 or so at Sears. Why would you want that feature ... the basic rule is to leave it on low ... but don't leave the house for over a day.

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 09:48 PM

My newest crockpot doesn't cook nearly as fast as the one I have from my Dad's house. But I suspect my Dad's crockpot could become a fire hazard if left unattended for a really long time. I don't think you'll find any that function like irons and turn off after so long, but perhaps you can find one with a thermostat?

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Donuel
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 09:56 PM

FEB Good Houskeeping magazine has 9 GREAT slow cooker recipes.
At least the pictures look tasty.

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Janie
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 02:55 PM

Want I should check the Consumer Report ratings for you?

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 02:59 PM

I just bought Crockpot's BBQ Pit. I've never been a crockpot fan, but I read a really good review of this in a BBQ magazine. It really worked great. While the deep smoke taste was missing, I still produced some amazing fall-off-the bone ribs the other day. It was perfect to have indoor BBQ during a major blizzard!

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Jeremiah McCaw
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 03:11 PM

There's lots of good ones out there. Size-wise, there's a number of 6-litre ones that don't cost any more than the smaller ones, worthwhile I think.

Some are an oval design, rather than round. Strikes me that they'd be more practical for things like roasts and such.

I see some new ones with digital timers and features - they might have the shut-off option you're looking for. Likely the way i'll look to go for my next one.

Rival seems to be a worthwhile brand - I've had a couple and been quite happy with them.

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Metchosin
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 03:22 PM

Be careful with older Rivals, there was a recall on some models as the handles fall off. This could be very disconcerting when filled with hot soup.

I have a Rival, I never pick it up by the handles when its full....when I remember.

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 03:38 PM

Heh... I read "Crackpot" as was gonna suggest whomever it was here who thought (and still thinks) that "Google Maps" took pictures in REAL TIME as you accessed the site...

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Barry Finn
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 04:09 PM

Hi Little Hawk
We've done well for the past, at least 15 yrs. with a Rival stoneware slow cooking crockpot. I'm guessing it's probably a 4 gt. stoneware bowl that lifts strait out. Just has a off, med & high switch but it works well for our needs & I do make fair use of it. I imagine that with the yrs there are better out there but I'd still stay simple & stick with a stone ware basin (to light or to thin they'll crack easily). It's slow to heat & it keeps the heat & that's what it's suppose to do. They're not that big, so I'd still say large & with a thick heavy bowl. Now I haven't looked at what's out there so I way be way behind the times. Good Luck
Barry

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: kendall
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 04:10 PM

I never leave the house with any such appliance on.

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Little Hawk
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 04:11 PM

Okay, good. Gotta look into it at the local stores...

Now for the crackpot thread.

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 04:14 PM

Then what's the point of having any such appliance?

I'll bet you unplug your fridge when you leave the house too....

Unscrew all the lightbulbs too?

Or maybe you just trip your main breaker on the way out the door.....

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: jeffp
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 04:15 PM

One of Slate magazine's writers did a comparative test and reported it in a story here. You might find it useful.

Jeff

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 05:20 PM

CH there is a time for unpleasantness, and it's not ALL the time in spite of what you think. Will you kindly try to keep a civil tongue in your head and not indulge in you juvenile stupidity any more than you can help, that is if you can help yourself which I doubt.
I think that CH years are like dog years in reverse, and that when you were 21 you had a mental age of 7.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 05:33 PM

Go back to blowing your dog, Giok...

It's what you do best

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Little Hawk
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 05:34 PM

Heh! Clinton and I have this mutual hate thing going that keeps us both mildly entertained from time to time...

I love the comments he makes about my lifestyle and predilections. Rollin' on the frickin' floor here...

What I normally do before I go out is this:

#1 - peep cautiously out through the heavy, drawn drapes on the 4 sides of the house. Might someone be lying in wait out there to ambush me? Quite possibly!

#2 - set the intruder alarm. It is programmed to let off a volley of vicious barks and howls recorded from "The Hound of the Baskervilles" if anyone trips the electric eye that is set to detect prowlers.

#3 - Slink out furtively to the car, adjusting today's disguise...a nun's habit. That'll throw them off the track!

#4 - press button which activates alarm system and minefield, and arms trapdoors by entrances. (trapdoors lead to polished metal shaft which shoots intruders into alligator pit under basement)

#5 - Creep cautiously out of driveway, looking both ways before entering road. Signal, and make turn. Drive within 3 kph of legal limit at ALL times!

And that's just the beginning.....

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 05:45 PM

When I asked "Then what's the point of having any such appliance?" it was not of you LH.....

"mutual hate thing going"
And it keeps us from taking it out on people who don't have the strenght to take it...

" And that's just the beginning....."
You must be one tired S.O.B. LH....

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Emma B
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 05:48 PM

Well I've been using a crockpot for years.

To quote from a book on the subject
"As you leave for work ....put the food into the Crock-pot, put the lid on and turn the switch to Low - off you go without a further thought for the evening meal."
"Once you discover the versatility of a Crock-Pot it will be like your refridgerator, never out of action......"

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 05:50 PM

Emma... was that you that just phoned here and asked me if my fridge was running?

:-P
Heh

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Little Hawk
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 05:51 PM

Tired? I'm exhausted. That's why I need a pot that will turn itself off.

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 05:52 PM

Is it safe to leave your burglar alarm plugged in when you're out?

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 05:53 PM

Pedant alert
G ☺

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Little Hawk
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 05:56 PM

It wouldn't be if I forget to deactivate it upon returning...

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 06:31 PM

I seldom use the crock pot, simply because the couple we have around the house are "cumbersome" to clean up. You will probably want to look for one with a removable "crock" that you can dump in the sink. Many, if not most, of the cheaper ones do not have this feature, so you're stuck with "suspending it over the sink" while you try to clean it out properly.

The one we have that does have a removable crock takes about half the space in the dishwasher, so it usually just gets rinsed out by hand in the sink. The "electrics" part of most crock pots should never be immersed in water. There are a very few "immersible" crock pots on the market, but they tend to be a lot more expensive.

There are a number of alternatives that you might want to look at.

I use a "Presto MultiCooker" much more often than the crock pots. It has the heating element cast into what amounts to about a 2 quart alumin(i)um pot, with a removable thermostat unit. When you pull the thermostat out, the rest of it can go in the dishwasher or in the sink. It can be set to high enough temperatures for deep frying, or low enough for keeping things warm without cooking them. I particularly like this one since I can "brown" the meat a bit before adding the veggies and turning it down to slow cook. Since the temperature is adjustable, and can be set to rather high temps, it might not suit your concern about leaving it unattended.(?)

I also use a Westbend "Slo-Cooker" that looks more like a "warmer" than a crock. The electric base is just a flat plate on short legs. The "crock" is a rectangular metal (steel, teflon lined) pan resembling a large bread loaf pan that sits on top, with a Pyrex lid that resembles a baking dish. The lid makes a nice server when you get done. About a 1.5 qt capacity, if you really fill it up. This one can be turned up enough to simmer rather vigorously, so it also might be less safe to leave unattended for long periods.

If you want a standard "crockpot," and don't want/need adjustable temperatures, the mass market outlets have lots of choices, all made by the same offshore slave-labor I presume, starting at about $15 (US). I would strongly urge you to get one with at least a couple of "selectable heats," but you should be able to find one with this feature at, or below, about $30 (US).

"Smaller than standard" crockpots are available, if you're cooking for one; but I've not seen any of the compact type with adjustable heat. In this category, beware of similar looking devices intended for heating potpourri or for melting wax for candlemaking. They are not always clearly labelled in the mass market retail shops and sometimes the "specialty" stuff gets mixed in with the cookware. The "special ones" generally don't get hot enough for cooking - especially with the small payload they hold - or they can get too hot.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Kaleea
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 06:33 PM

If you go to the dreaded "wallyworld" you'll find some under $20. I've also bought them for $10-15 on sale at walgreens or even a grocery store.

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 06:45 PM

"You will probably want to look for one with a removable "crock" that you can dump in the sink"

YES!

If it doesn't have a removable 'crock' don't buy it!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Little Hawk
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 07:12 PM

The removable crock is a great idea. Thanks for the tip. Well, off to Canadian Tire tomorrow. We do have a Wally World just down the highway, but I prefer shopping at Canadian Tire or Zellers most of the time.

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 07:19 PM

This is what you really want if you must have a slow cooker. At least it's versatile, and easy to keep clean. No it's not cheap, but the best never is.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 07:24 PM

Canadian Tire will probably have 3 or 4 different options, all about the same price range-ish... and all will work about as well as the other....

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 07:38 PM

Well us old crocks don't want to be dumped, in the sink or anywhere else....

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Dani
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 10:03 PM

Who the hell needs anything that turns itself OFF?!

That said, anything that has an on/off/medium/warm switch, takes a long, slow time to warm up, works steadily all day, and smells wonderful when I walk in the door tired and lonely after a long day at work is worth FAR MORE than the paltry sums mentioned. Pay double whatever it is they're asking, and get one for me, too.

Dani

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Raptor
Date: 16 Feb 06 - 07:48 AM

Little Hawk Theres one at Home Depot for under $40 and it has a keep warm feature that most other ones don't!

You have to try my slow coker ribs, Just ask Paul at the next song circle he had them on Superb Owl Sunday.

I have a few great resipies.

I love my crockpot.

I'll call you from work today.

Raptor

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Feb 06 - 10:36 AM

My dad had a very good barbecue rib recipe that I think was actually a crockpot rib with a great sauce. Slow cookers can turn out some nice meals. I've made things like lasagne in mine before, and if you like oatmeal in the morning, set it up the night before (I have a small crockpot I use for that, and you have to start with hot water or it isn't cooked enough by morning).

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Feb 06 - 04:44 PM

Enough of this dancing around the issue! Let's have the great recipes! What do you COOK with yer crock?

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Little Hawk
Date: 16 Feb 06 - 04:51 PM

Hmmmm. Gotta check out Home Depot.

Then there are rice cookers. I gather that's a different matter altogether. Am I right? Got a lot of brown rice here to cook some time soon...

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: jeffp
Date: 16 Feb 06 - 04:56 PM

Turkey breast. Put one in the pot with a bit of water and some aromatics (whatever herbs you like - sage, rosemary, whatever), go to work, come home, open the door and inhale. Heaven!

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 16 Feb 06 - 05:03 PM

LH... we got a Rice Cooker from Canadian Tire last year as a wedding gift, and man oh nuts, lemme tell ya we LOVE it!!!!!!

Think of it like a crockpot for all kinds of rice... fill it and forget it!

40 bucks or so, IIRC... ya can't go wrong!

"What do you COOK with yer crock?"
What don't ya....

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Little Hawk
Date: 16 Feb 06 - 05:16 PM

Yeah, I was looking at one earlier today...

Still haven't quite decided on which model.

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: autolycus
Date: 16 Feb 06 - 05:35 PM

If all else fails, there are recipes and their books that don't require cooking.

Just a lightly boiled thunk.

Auto.

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 16 Feb 06 - 06:16 PM

One of the reasons for using a crock pot is that most meat, especially beef, toughens if it gets to a temperature of about 190 F (88 C) when the "sinew" in the meat "cooks." Especially pork and chicken, with modern recommendations, need to come to about 180 F (82 C) to be "safely done." That leaves a rather small "window" of temps you can use for really tender meat.

If you've "toughened" a piece of beef by exceeding the nominal 190 F during the initial cooking, it will eventually get to "fall apart" condition, but it can take half a day - or more - of simmering. Even when it falls apart, the remaining sinew may give you that chunk that "grows in your mouth" when you try to gum it up.

Especially with the recent preference for very lean meat (especially beef), the easiest way to get it cooked and tender is just to never try to "hurry it" by using a too-hot pan. Crock pot temperatures typically aren't high enough to "hurry it" too much; and they're set up for long periods of relatively unattended cooking.

Since all the flavors in a crock tend to run together (a taste some describe as "British" for reasons I don't understand) for some recipes it's best to cook the main parts during the day and add a few "flavor bits" at, or near, the time of serving. A number of common herbs and spices either "wash out" in the crock, or "take over" to an unexpected extent.

Do beware of excess black pepper in the crock pot. It gets stronger - and never stops - with long cooking. (A phenomenon observable in "warming trays" at lots of cafeterias.)

John

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 16 Feb 06 - 06:25 PM

(a taste some describe as "British" for reasons I don't understand)

Cause "British" cooking mostly seem to involve boilling the FK outa food until it all tastes like wet warm mud....

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 16 Feb 06 - 08:45 PM

CH -

Then the people who think it's a "disparaging term" don't like wet warm mud????

- Unbeliveable.

That particular "flavor" does seem to be a common result of careless crocking. It takes some preparation, and a decent recipe, to have more than one flavor in the end result.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Bert
Date: 16 Feb 06 - 09:02 PM

Buy one or two at a thrift store they are rarely more than $5 there.

If the crock is not removable you just fill the thing with water and add a splash of suds and leave it on for a few hours. It cleans itself.

They are great for pot roast. Which is a chunk of brisket, some onions, celery, carrots, spuds and a turnip if you like. Start it in the morning and it's ready when you get home from work.

Any kind of beans, split peas or lentils work fine as soup or refried beans or pease pudding depending on how much water you use. Season to taste with any of the above veggies or a ham bone.

And of course corned beef again with the veggies and some pickling spice.

You could also try a chunk of ClintonHammond but he'd probably need a week to cook and I think he'd taste a bit like wet mud.

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: Peace
Date: 16 Feb 06 - 09:04 PM

"What do you COOK with yer crock?"

Dead things.

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: gnu
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 08:36 AM

Crappy Tire? You actually shop at Crappy Tire? I never shop there. I go to www.canadiantire.ca. Then, after checking models, prices, availability, I go to CT at 08:29h (09:59H on Sunday), get in line with all the other shoppers holding the weekly flier because the store runs out of fliers before the sale starts, grab the item, if I can find it without asking the only clerk in the store, who happens to be a 16 year old high school dropout that started to work there at 08:00h, and get in line at the only fucking checkout ever open, hopefully behind no more than a half dozen other shoppers who need a price check because the fucking computer wasn't updated with the price in the flier and who want a raincheck because there was only one unit left.

And, of course, if and when I am successful in making a purchase, I pay cash so I can jam the Crappy Tire money into my glovebox along with the great wads that I keep forgetting to bring into the store. Screw winning the 6/49 - I want all the CT money in all the gloveboxes in Canada.

Zellers? You actually shop at Zellers? Don't forget your Club Z card... and the flier.

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: DougR
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 03:36 PM

JohninKansas: Evidently you have not yet experienced the joys of cooking in a crockpot with the new crockpot liners now available. One size fits all size crockpots and they make clean-up a snap. The liners (think crockpot condoms)are made, I belive by Reynolds.

L.H.: I have two crockpots. I paid $20 (U.S.) for the four quart, and about $50 (U.S.)for the six quart. When the larger one has cooked for the programmed time, it does not turn off but it does revert to "warm."

I don't worry about leaving the crockpot to cook unattended all day.

I think they are great for making soups, stews, chili and the like.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 06:48 PM

'That particular "flavor" does seem to be a common result of careless crocking.'

Is that where the expression 'crock of shit' comes from?

:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Crockpot recommendations
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 18 Feb 06 - 12:34 AM

Doug R -

Aha - another "disposable" to add to the landfill.

I'm so "green conscious" I avoid ziplock bags, since the bag itself must be at least twice as thick as otherwise necessary in order to have something to mold the zipper onto.

John