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Following this! I have the same questions.

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.

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.

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.

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.

@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.

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!

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.

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.