https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 06 Nov 2026 04:59:04 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crockpot-times#post-470667 Sun, 30 Dec 2012 02:15:47 +0000 daniellemybelle 470667@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to worry about something cooking too long in the crockpot, but the majority of things you make in a slow cooker won't overcook unless it's like 18 hours. In fact, some things like pot roast are even better cooked longer than the recipe says! Just put in some extra liquid so it doesn't dry out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crockpot-times#post-470659 Sun, 30 Dec 2012 01:56:44 +0000 lemondrop 470659@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Night before is brilliant! Will have to start doing that on my work days!</p> <p>If you have DH start it, remind him to plug it in... We've had that problem before!</p> <p>My rule of thumb has always been low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crockpot-times#post-470035 Sat, 29 Dec 2012 14:55:33 +0000 singingbee 470035@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ladyfingers: great!!!</p> <p>@MaisyMay: thanks for the tip!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crockpot-times#post-470019 Sat, 29 Dec 2012 14:46:06 +0000 MaisyMay 470019@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jennimac: As long as you put the crock in the base and then plug it in, it will warm up gradually, so you should be fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crockpot-times#post-469961 Sat, 29 Dec 2012 13:24:11 +0000 singingbee 469961@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Andrea: the night before!!! Brilliant!! I loves these suggestions, ladies!!! I almost have our whole week planned out! Excited!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crockpot-times#post-469959 Sat, 29 Dec 2012 13:21:10 +0000 Andrea 469959@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Chicken can cook super fast! I have definitely cooked it in 4 hours but I WAH and can turn it off. For short recipes like that, I would cook it the night before and warm it up when you get home. Chicken might dry out in the slow cooker if you leave it on low all day ... unless maybe your recipe involves a lot of sauce that will keep it moist. Or maybe you can try it with frozen chicken so that will take longer to cook. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crockpot-times#post-469951 Sat, 29 Dec 2012 13:08:38 +0000 mediagirl 469951@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just set mine on low for the time suggested. After that my crockpot goes into warm mode. We're gone 10 hours a day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crockpot-times#post-469946 Sat, 29 Dec 2012 12:58:04 +0000 shopaholic 469946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly, I would just a) Cook it on a lower setting for all-day (like 1-2), or b) ask DH to turn it on if I was worried it'd get dried out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crockpot-times#post-469945 Sat, 29 Dec 2012 12:57:14 +0000 JoJoGirl 469945@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always prepare and load the slow cooker at night, but it in the fridge over night, then put it on first thing in the morning... for raw chicken, 3-4 hrs on low sounds a little short to me! I think you can get away with bumping up to maybe 6 hrs, and it'll sit on warm for another 2 or whatever. Im not sure you can overcook things in the slow cooker cause they just fall apart when they're done! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crockpot-times#post-469943 Sat, 29 Dec 2012 12:56:45 +0000 singingbee 469943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well, I'm menu planning and realized that I can cook this dinner on Tuesday when I'll actually be home to turn it off. Duh!!! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crockpot-times#post-469942 Sat, 29 Dec 2012 12:56:39 +0000 ladyfingers 469942@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jennimac: I haven't had any issues, but I usually have him let it sit out to cool off for 5-10 minutes. It's not like it's going to the freezer, so it seems like a more gradual temperature change to me, but if you're concerned about it cracking or anything you could just have him wait a few minutes before sticking it in. I don't put the whole crock pot in there, just the lift-out ceramic insert with the food. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crockpot-times#post-469940 Sat, 29 Dec 2012 12:53:28 +0000 singingbee 469940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ladyfingers: how does the crock do going to extreme temps? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crockpot-times#post-469937 Sat, 29 Dec 2012 12:51:47 +0000 ladyfingers 469937@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If something will have to be on warm for longer than 1-2 hours, and DH is home, I just have him unplug it and stick it in the fridge when it's done. Chicken is hard because it can easily dry out so just make sure it's covered by liquid and I wouldn't let it sit on warm for 5 hours for sure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crockpot-times#post-469879 Sat, 29 Dec 2012 11:54:26 +0000 singingbee 469879@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@matador84: that's good to hear. Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crockpot-times#post-469876 Sat, 29 Dec 2012 11:50:36 +0000 matador84 469876@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I cook on low all the time and adjust recipe to my needs being gone. If its going to be a while just make sure there is a good amount of liquid so whatever you're cooking doesn't dry out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crockpot-times#post-469872 Sat, 29 Dec 2012 11:48:01 +0000 singingbee 469872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The recipe calls for 3-4 hrs on low. I was really surprised by that. It's chicken thighs, so maybe they don't have to cook as long?!? Idk. </p> <p>@MaisyMay: would that mess up the crock-being cold and then brought to such warm temps? I worry about things exploding or cracking. </p> <p>I may just cook it on low for 6-8 and say forget the recipe. It's a dish that he really likes and I want to find a recipe for it. This will be my first time cooking it so we will see. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crockpot-times#post-469855 Sat, 29 Dec 2012 11:37:01 +0000 MaisyMay 469855@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Verify that the time is actually for low. Most of the recipes I see call for 3-4 on high or 6-7 on low. Even if it is low for 3-4 hours, it should still be fine on warm for several hours. </p> <p>In regards to DH, could you put the crock in the fridge already assembled and just have him pull it out and turn it on? That might work for you guys so that you could do the prep but he actually starts it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crockpot-times#post-469848 Sat, 29 Dec 2012 11:31:21 +0000 Mrs. J 469848@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Only 3-4 on low? Most recipes will call for 6-8 on low. If we do it, we set it before we leave, and let it warm when it is done.</p> <p>What if you had everything prepped and all he has to do is put it in/turn it on? I would look at recipes that require longer time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crockpot-times#post-469847 Sat, 29 Dec 2012 11:31:06 +0000 yellowbird 469847@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Following this! I have the same questions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crockpot-times#post-469825 Sat, 29 Dec 2012 11:10:09 +0000 singingbee 469825@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So, one of my goals for the new year is to start meal planning and really thinking my meals through. I was looking at some recipies for the next week when DH comes home and one that I want to cook calls for the chicken to cook on low for 3-4 hours. Now, DH will be home, but it's really more trouble for me if I ask him to put stuff like that on. What do you do if you are working all day and need to put it on longer than stated in the recipe?</p> <p>Our crockpot has an automatic feature where it goes to warm when the timer is done, but I can't set a timer for it to start. </p> <p>I'll be gone for about 9 hrs at work. </p>