Crockpot users

FutureMrsNAH

If you use a crockpot during the week for dinners, do you put everything together in the crockpot in the morning? And then how long do the recipes normally call for it to be on??

I would love to start using the crockpot (had it for stinkin' 7 years!) but first of all I don't have time in the morning to put it in there and then I'm gone for so long I think that's too long for the thing to be on. Granted Nick is only gone 9 hours, so I guess he could turn it on and off.?

Or, could I put it all together the night before, and leave the crockpot insert in the fridge maybe?!

lolabright

my crock pot has a timer on it. I prepare as much as I can the night before. If it calls for dry ingredients I will measure them all and put it into a plastic container or bag. Then in the morning I just put everything into the crock pot, set the timer and head off to work. It will go onto a warming mode once it is done cooking. I did this a lot when I was home with Xander too. Oh you should get the bag inserts because they make clean up so much better. 

FutureMrsNAH

Oooh, good call on the bags! Quick cleanup is a must!

Rebekistan

If you don't have time in the morning, then you can put everything in the bag the night before, then just put the bag in the crockpot.

There are lots of recipes that you cook for 12 hours on low. If you have a recipe that calls for cooking it on high, just double the time for cooking it on low. 

Does it have a timer? Some CPs switch to "warm" when it's done cooking and you can leave it on low for up to 2 hours. 

SSM&JLM

Mine's actual crock part comes out, so I fill that one up the night before and then put it in the fridge.

Mine also has a digital timer.  I've read that if it's going to be on warm for a while, and mine is b/c of schedules, to cut a hour-2 off the low cook time since it will still cook on warm.

I love mine and it's great esp in the winter when you get home, it's dark and cold and dinner is ready.

jpfeifer

If it is a soup/chile I prepare it the night before (my crock part comes out too) and put it in the fridge.  If it is meat I get as much of it done as I can the night before. 

Mine doesn't have a timer but I put it on low and when I get home I get home.  I don't worry about how long it's been in there and haven't had an issue yet.