I am a crock pot failure.....

[karenbaco]

Asked for a new crock pot for Christmas to replace my 20 year old one that always burns the food. Sad to say the reviews I read on the new crock pot also say it cooks too hot and burns the food. What a bummer, I really wanted to enjoy the benefits of a crock pot but not at the expense of throwing food away. Can anyone share success stories/recipes with a crock pot? The new one I got is the
Crock-Pot SCCPVL610-S Programmable Cook and Carry Oval Slow Cooker.

 

[Arich01]

I have this Crock Pot and haven't really had any issues with it. Make sure what ever you are cooking fills the pot at least half way, or it will over cook. (That's for any slow cooker) I also almost always cook on low. What kind of dishes are you trying to make? Maybe I can give some suggestions

 

[tvguy]

Wow, I didn't think crock pots got hot enough to burn anything. I brown the meat, throw it in the crock pot, throw something liquid in ours, and let it cook for most of the day. Never burned a thing. Even used it for mulled wine on Christmas Eve.

 

[Arich01]

I've only ever burned something in the crock pot when I was supposed to cook on high for 3-4 hours, but forgot and let it go for more like 5-6, lol! I made delicious hot chocolate in mine last year

 

[karenbaco]

I

I have this Crock Pot and haven't really had any issues with it. Make sure what ever you are cooking fills the pot at least half way, or it will over cook. (That's for any slow cooker) I also almost always cook on low. What kind of dishes are you trying to make? Maybe I can give some suggestions

Chicken breast, pork chops, and when I tried making beef stew the potatoes and carrots were still hard. I ended up taking them out and finishing them on the stove top. I need serious help....lol

 

[potterfanatic]

I am crockpot cooking a roast right now. I always do a good amount of liquid and cook on high for like 5 hours and then switch to low. I often change the liquid I cook it in for flavor, beef broth, au ju, chicken soup, water, or even beer.

 

[Dashzap]

Your crockpot is probably too big. A smaller pot is easier to fill at least 2/3 of the way, which you need for it to work properly.

I have a Crock-Pot 2.5 Quart manual slow cooker that I got in the grocery store for $10. I happily use it a couple of times a week. I have a larger, oval one that I use once a year at best (once the frozen chicken bones build up and need to be made into stock).

Recipe I make regularly that come out tasty:

Pulled Pork in the Crockpot
Pork butt or shoulder - rub with bbq seasoning or cumin, chilipowder and oregano
1/4 c soy sauce
1/4 c apple cider vinegar
Set crock pot on high, cook for 4 hrs.
After 4 hrs, drain fat and drop temperature. Add BBQ sauce.
At hr 6 you should be able to pull using 2 forks.
Serve on rolls.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
(cook low for 6 hr, or high for 3 hr) - serve over rice
1 to 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1-inch piece whole ginger, peeled and grated
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 to 2 tablespoons garam masala
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
Add at end: 3/4 cup heavy cream or coconut milk, fresh cilantro chopped

Italian sausage in marinara - cover sausage with water in crock and cook all day. Drain in afternoon, slice some green peppers to add, and cover in marinara sauce. Serve with pasta or french rolls.

Teriyaki Chicken
6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1/2 c teriyaki sauce
1/2 c water
1/2 c brown sugar
3 cloves garlic minced, or 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp minced ginger root, or 3/4 tsp ginger powder

Vegetarian Chili - made different each time depending on what is in the cupboard
any beans you've got (kidney, chickpeas, etc.)
some diced tomatoes
some chicken broth
chopped onion
chopped green pepper
garlic
chili powder/oregano/cumin/coriander
hot sauce



I have a small (3 cup) zojirushi rice cooker, too. Between it, the crockpot, and nuking some frozen veg, we get hot dinners within 5 minutes of being done with work. Priceless.

 

[Kae]

I think i use mainly low and warm with my crockpot maybe that one you got. they are not like the crockpots our moms have cook much higher heat.

 

[cmarsh31]

I


Chicken breast, pork chops, and when I tried making beef stew the potatoes and carrots were still hard. I ended up taking them out and finishing them on the stove top. I need serious help....lol

First, boneless meats (chicken breasts, pork chops, etc) are never great in the crockpot - or need to be only cooked for 3-4 hours on low. I don't bother. Only meat with enough fat & bones goes in the crockpot (or a big roast). How big were the pieces of potatoes & carrots? How long did you cook it for? If I'm doing a roast with potatoes and carrots, they're smallish pieces and I'm cooking for 10 hours on low. Melt in your mouth.

 

[LilyWDW]

First, boneless meats (chicken breasts, pork chops, etc) are never great in the crockpot - or need to be only cooked for 3-4 hours on low. I don't bother. Only meat with enough fat & bones goes in the crockpot (or a big roast). How big were the pieces of potatoes & carrots? How long did you cook it for? If I'm doing a roast with potatoes and carrots, they're smallish pieces and I'm cooking for 10 hours on low. Melt in your mouth.

I have done boneless meats in the crockpot all the time and have had no issues... and for longer then 3-4 hours. You just have to be sure to use enough liquid.

 

[Dashzap]

Chicken thighs don't dry out as quickly as breasts do in the crockpot.

 

[Brancaneve]

I am with you there OP! I have had nothing but failure with my crockpot until I plugged the crockpot into a timer. Before I go to work I place everything in the cooker and then set the timer so it turns on at 1:00. When I get home from work around 4:30-5:00 everything is perfectly cooked. I think 8 hours on low was still too long and it dried out all the liquid. I use the type of timer that is sold around Christmas for lights and it only costs around $4.

 

[Dashzap]

Obligatory food safety post in every crockpot thread. YMMD

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/shared/PDF/Slow_Cookers_and_Food_Safety.pdf

 

[karenbaco]

Your crockpot is probably too big. A smaller pot is easier to fill at least 2/3 of the way, which you need for it to work properly.

I have a Crock-Pot 2.5 Quart manual slow cooker that I got in the grocery store for $10. I happily use it a couple of times a week. I have a larger, oval one that I use once a year at best (once the frozen chicken bones build up and need to be made into stock).

Recipe I make regularly that come out tasty:

Pulled Pork in the Crockpot
Pork butt or shoulder - rub with bbq seasoning or cumin, chilipowder and oregano
1/4 c soy sauce
1/4 c apple cider vinegar
Set crock pot on high, cook for 4 hrs.
After 4 hrs, drain fat and drop temperature. Add BBQ sauce.
At hr 6 you should be able to pull using 2 forks.
Serve on rolls.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
(cook low for 6 hr, or high for 3 hr) - serve over rice
1 to 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1-inch piece whole ginger, peeled and grated
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 to 2 tablespoons garam masala
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
Add at end: 3/4 cup heavy cream or coconut milk, fresh cilantro chopped

Italian sausage in marinara - cover sausage with water in crock and cook all day. Drain in afternoon, slice some green peppers to add, and cover in marinara sauce. Serve with pasta or french rolls.

Teriyaki Chicken
6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1/2 c teriyaki sauce
1/2 c water
1/2 c brown sugar
3 cloves garlic minced, or 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp minced ginger root, or 3/4 tsp ginger powder

Vegetarian Chili - made different each time depending on what is in the cupboard
any beans you've got (kidney, chickpeas, etc.)
some diced tomatoes
some chicken broth
chopped onion
chopped green pepper
garlic
chili powder/oregano/cumin/coriander
hot sauce



I have a small (3 cup) zojirushi rice cooker, too. Between it, the crockpot, and nuking some frozen veg, we get hot dinners within 5 minutes of being done with work. Priceless.

Wow! Thank you so much for the recipe's. Cannot wait to try them now. I notice you didn't use any chicken breast so maybe that is where I go wrong. They always turn out like rubber.

 

[Arich01]

I do boneless meat all the time! For this size crock pot, it makes a ton, but I just freeze leftovers for another easy meal.

4 Chicken breasts (I put in frozen)
Jar of salsa
1 packet of taco seasoning (or your own home made mixture)
Cook on low for 6 hours. Remove, chicken and shred. Return to sauce. I make this for tacos one night, then freeze the leftover and use that to make chicken enchiladas. Works every time in this size crock pot!

Beef pot roast
Can of beef broth
Jar of pepperoncini/banana peppers
Pack of onion soup mix
I cook on low for at least 8 hrs so my beef is very tender. We love this served on rolls topped with provolone cheese!

 

[karenbaco]

I do boneless meat all the time! For this size crock pot, it makes a ton, but I just freeze leftovers for another easy meal.

4 Chicken breasts (I put in frozen)
Jar of salsa
1 packet of taco seasoning (or your own home made mixture)
Cook on low for 6 hours. Remove, chicken and shred. Return to sauce. I make this for tacos one night, then freeze the leftover and use that to make chicken enchiladas. Works every time in this size crock pot!

Beef pot roast
Can of beef broth
Jar of pepperoncini/banana peppers
Pack of onion soup mix
I cook on low for at least 8 hrs so my beef is very tender. We love this served on rolls topped with provolone cheese!

Everytime I have tried to cook chicken breast and shred it turns so chewy like rubber.

 

[cmarsh31]

I have done boneless meats in the crockpot all the time and have had no issues... and for longer then 3-4 hours. You just have to be sure to use enough liquid.

I do boneless meat all the time! For this size crock pot, it makes a ton, but I just freeze leftovers for another easy meal.

4 Chicken breasts (I put in frozen)
Jar of salsa
1 packet of taco seasoning (or your own home made mixture)
Cook on low for 6 hours. Remove, chicken and shred. Return to sauce. I make this for tacos one night, then freeze the leftover and use that to make chicken enchiladas. Works every time in this size crock pot!

If you shred or stew (lots of liquid) it will come out ok... but it's not like sauteing/grilling/baking a boneless/skinless chicken breast. For something that you can bake in 30 min, it's not ideal in a crockpot. Same reason I wouldn't put a good cut of steak in there. A boneless roast that is more fatty or tough is great because it needs that long to cook. Chili is good, stew is good, soups are good. If I'm going to do a dish with shredded chicken, though, I'd rather roast a whole chicken (or even crockpot the whole bird!) then shred it.

 

[hsmamato2]

I have a small (3 cup) zojirushi rice cooker, too. Between it, the crockpot, and nuking some frozen veg, we get hot dinners within 5 minutes of being done with work. Priceless.

I used to have a zojirushi rice cooker..... I was so sad when it died! those are the BEST! Now I just have a little cheapo one that isn't nearly as good...it's barely ok!

 

[Hans Olo]

I do boneless meat all the time! For this size crock pot, it makes a ton, but I just freeze leftovers for another easy meal.

4 Chicken breasts (I put in frozen)
Jar of salsa
1 packet of taco seasoning (or your own home made mixture)
Cook on low for 6 hours. Remove, chicken and shred. Return to sauce. I make this for tacos one night, then freeze the leftover and use that to make chicken enchiladas. Works every time in this size crock pot!

Beef pot roast
Can of beef broth
Jar of pepperoncini/banana peppers
Pack of onion soup mix
I cook on low for at least 8 hrs so my beef is very tender. We love this served on rolls topped with provolone cheese!

I make this same chicken taco recipe except I use a can of petite diced tomatoes instead of the salsa. Comes out great and never dry!

 

[Pooh2]

I recently bought a crockpot brand pot. Had to return it because the pot came to a rolling boil on low after one hour. Add me to the crockpot challenged cookers!