Crock Pot Cooking at FW

[Tigger1966]

A while ago I checked out the crock pot therad on the budget board and now I have a couple questions.
First off they were talking about using a programable crock pot so it would delay coming on and switch to a warming setting after cooking.
My first question is has anybody tried this by using a simple programable timer on thier crock pot? to me this tools doable since you would be putting cold food in and set it to come on later and turn off incase you didn't make it back on time.
Second what about making up the meals at home before you leave then freezing them for the trip?
These sound like they will work to me but I wanted another openion.

 

[mnsprk]

I question the use of a "delayed" start Crock-pot for health reasons. You would have food un-refrigerated and not being heated for whatever period of time. Doesn't sound too safe to me.

 

[Tigger1966]

I was thinking that if the food was frozen to begin with it would keep longer in the crock before turning it on.

 

[ElementCamper]

Agree, refrigerated food should be cooked or recooled within two hours. You could end up with a nasty food borne illness if you delay too long. Frozen food is considered ok as long as it still has ice crystals in it, can be refrozen or still cooked.

You could use a timer but you don't want to delay too long.

 

[2goofycampers]

I go by 2 hour rule also. Never leave food at room temp for more then 2 hours, frozen or not. And when keeping warm food needs to be at 180 degrees or above.

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

That's just things like meat or dairy, though, right? You could do a bean-based or veggie-based meal on delay, couldn't you? (Not previously cooked and frozen; starting from fresh stuff.)

 

[ElementCamper]

That's just things like meat or dairy, though, right? You could do a bean-based or veggie-based meal on delay, couldn't you? (Not previously cooked and frozen; starting from fresh stuff.)

Pretty much any food where there is moisture can spoil rapidly. I would use the two hour rule to make sure you are safe.

 

[LarryJ]

Agree, refrigerated food should be cooked or recooled within two hours. You could end up with a nasty food borne illness if you delay too long. Frozen food is considered ok as long as it still has ice crystals in it, can be refrozen or still cooked.

You could use a timer but you don't want to delay too long.

I agree and don't see the need, just put it on low and let it rip. We actually made a huge pot of veggie soup for a neighbor that lost her mom and started it at like 4pm the night before and took it over like 2pm the next afternoon.

Larry

 

[Tigger1966]

Most of the ones I saw said to cook for 8 -10 hours and we are generaly gone longer than that visiting the parks.
Thanks for the input I guess We will look for some other way to make simple meals at the Fort next trip