Off-Topic Crockpots - Advice Needed

[JackieB]

I'm another who has ditched my crock pot and use the instant pot. I feel like the food is better quality. Less mushy etc. There are times I use the slow cooker option, but not often.

[Erica H.]

I've never used the slow cooker liners because I was concerned about the plastic in the heat. Is that not an issue? I'd love to use them.

Erica

[bzar]

Originally Posted by Erica H.

I've never used the slow cooker liners because I was concerned about the plastic in the heat. Is that not an issue? I'd love to use them.

Erica

The plastic is very similar to the ones they make for turkey roasting bags that go in a conventional oven. it's pretty tough and I've never seen them rip or melt.

here's a 3-minute youtube review by a user, including what it looks like when you remove the bag after cooking.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9P0QrD2wMsM

one thing i wanted to add about using a crockpot. I usually cook rock-frozen, whole chicken without having to defrost it, and it comes out perfect. i remove the gizzard and such while it's mostly frozen.

[Erica H.]

Originally Posted by bzar

The plastic is very similar to the ones they make for turkey roasting bags that go in a conventional oven. it's pretty tough and I've never seen them rip or melt.

here's a 3-minute youtube review by a user, including what it looks like when you remove the bag after cooking.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9P0QrD2wMsM

one thing i wanted to add about using a crockpot. I usually cook rock-frozen, whole chicken without having to defrost it, and it comes out perfect. i remove the gizzard and such while it's mostly frozen.

I was worried about the plastic leaching but I read this: https://www.eatingwell.com/article/7...0as%20possible.

I have also read in the past not to cook from frozen because there is too much time that the food will be at unsafe temps when bacteria can grow.

Erica

[Softshoe]

I have a manual Hamilton Beach crock pot, just does Warm/Low/High. I cook mostly bean related recipes. For example, Maple Baked Beans, Slow Spanish Rice and Beans and Three-Bean Chili with Chive-Flecked Cornmeal Dumplings.

I have a Fissler Pressure Cooker and I cook long grain brown rice in it.

[jusca]

We have a Crockpot branded slow cooker that was bought 2 years ago at Kohls(see link below). The ceramic dish is super thick and heavy like cast iron. My local grocery store has their own brand of kitchen gadgets and their slow coker dishes are thick too. Have you tried to see if you can find any cooking appliances in person to see if the dishes are thick enough for you? Hamilton Beach, imo, is hit and miss on a lot of products. I've only been impressed with their mid-range hand mixer that rivals any Cuisinart or KitchenAid in the same category.

https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-11...er.jsp?prdPV=3

[sherry7899]

I bought this one years ago and like it. They also have it on Amazon

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Hamilton...3967/302921129

[donnamp]

Originally Posted by Pat58

I use the slow cook feature on my Instant Pot - best of both worlds.

It slow cooks in half the time which is good for me because I will no longer leave the house with a crockpot operating. I came home from work one evening and the crockpot and everything in it was burnt to a crisp, the house filled with smoke.

EEK! I will also not leave the house with my dryer running - even for 10 or 15 minutes. I have heard horror stories of people's houses catching on fire from the clothes dryer. I will also not run it when I'm in bed/asleep. My DD, being a 19 year old, does laundry at all hours of the night and it really freaks me out to think of being asleep with the dryer running.

I do use my slow cooker more than the Instant Pot - I find the IP to be so fussy. But, maybe it is b/c I never took the time to properly learn how to use it.

Donna

[bubbles76]

Originally Posted by donnamp

EEK! I will also not leave the house with my dryer running - even for 10 or 15 minutes. I have heard horror stories of people's houses catching on fire from the clothes dryer. I will also not run it when I'm in bed/asleep. My DD, being a 19 year old, does laundry at all hours of the night and it really freaks me out to think of being asleep with the dryer running.

I do use my slow cooker more than the Instant Pot - I find the IP to be so fussy. But, maybe it is b/c I never took the time to properly learn how to use it.

Donna

We have a gas dryer so I would NEVER think of leaving it on while we're asleep or away from the house.

Keep the suggestions coming! I have one in mind after looking around a bit, but it's pricey.

[Sollamyn]

The slow cooker you bought appears to be sort of a hybrid where the inner, removeable crock can be used on a stovetop. Therefore, it won't be entirely made of ceramic. I'm assuming it's some sort of metal? So that's probably why it feels flimsy to you. I wouldn't necessarily consider it unworthy of keeping for that reason, but is that what you need/want? Do you need to cook things on the stovetop before placing the crock inside the slow cooker? It would save you a dirty dish or two, and maybe a little time. I don't know, as I'm not much of a cook.

HTH,
Donna