Anyone ever use a crock pot??

Ok, so I am attempting my first meal in a crock pot ... beef stew.

I followed the recipe to a T and set it on Low for 8 hours. This was at 10:30. It is now bubbling a lot and the condensation from the glass top is kind of spitting. I have about 2 hours left to go.

Is this normal? I'm afraid to leave the house!

Re: Anyone ever use a crock pot??

how full is it?

I have never had it overflow or spil, but I always leave a good 1-2'

Re: Anyone ever use a crock pot??

yeah there's about 1-2 inches from the top. But it's bubbling a lot... the stew's not spitting out or anything, but I'm afraid when I leave it will.

Re: Anyone ever use a crock pot??

that always happens with mine, and I had no problems.

Re: Anyone ever use a crock pot??

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Posted by itslaurie.

that always happens with mine, and I had no problems.

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ok, I feel better now

Re: Anyone ever use a crock pot??

Should be fine. I am pretty sure mine does that. But I I hear the alarms go off I'll know it's your house JK. The motto of crck pot is 'set it and forget it'... so forget it!!!

Re: Anyone ever use a crock pot??

Yeah, that happens with mine, too. However, I never, never leave any appliance operating when there is no one around to keep an eye on it.

Re: Anyone ever use a crock pot??

I used mine once and tossed it. I made a pot roast and while it wasn't 'awful', it wasn't even close to being as good as the way my mom cooks it in an iron pot she inherited from her mom. The fat bubbling all around the roast made me kind of nauseous.

the reason I tossed it is because it got permanently stained and smelled weird.

Re: Anyone ever use a crock pot??

I want a crock pot so badly (is that normal? ) But I'm nervous about leaving appliances on when nobody is around. I even unplug my applicances in the kitchen when I'm not home (coffee pot, toaster, radio, etc....)

Re: Anyone ever use a crock pot??

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Posted by FallBride05

I want a crock pot so badly (is that normal? ) But I'm nervous about leaving appliances on when nobody is around. I even unplug my applicances in the kitchen when I'm not home (coffee pot, toaster, radio, etc....)

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I was totally like that...until about a couple weeks ago. I read too many great recipe posts on LIF that I went out and got one. The first couple of times I would only use it when I knew someone was home...to calm my fears. Now...I'm a crock pot maniac! DH loves coming home to the house smelling like I was cooking all day...heck...I do too!

ETA: Get the one with the timer....it's a 6 quart Rival Crock Pot that has a timer and different heat settings. It has a 'keep warm' setting for when the timer goes off.

Re: Anyone ever use a crock pot??

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Posted by 103005FallBride

ETA: Get the one with the timer....it's a 6 quart Rival Crock Pot that has a timer and different heat settings. It has a 'keep warm' setting for when the timer goes off.

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I agree, get the timer. I have one now that doesn't have one - but I registered for a new one with the timer.

Re: Anyone ever use a crock pot??

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Posted by 103005FallBride

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Posted by FallBride05

I want a crock pot so badly (is that normal? ) But I'm nervous about leaving appliances on when nobody is around. I even unplug my applicances in the kitchen when I'm not home (coffee pot, toaster, radio, etc....)

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I was totally like that...until about a couple weeks ago. I read too many great recipe posts on LIF that I went out and got one. The first couple of times I would only use it when I knew someone was home...to calm my fears. Now...I'm a crock pot maniac! DH loves coming home to the house smelling like I was cooking all day...heck...I do too!

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I know! I keep reading all those recipies on LIF! And it would be sooooooo nice to not cook after work (as much as I really do love to cook!) I'm dying to make a crock pot, pot roast!

ETA - 'Now I'm a crock pot maniac' reminds me of that episode of Friends with Chandlers new crazy roommate who was dehydrating food: 'I'm a dehydrating maniac'!!! Sorry.... just made me think of that!

Re: Anyone ever use a crock pot??

i have been making a crock pot meal at least once a week. my husband loves it and so do i dont feel like i have to rush to start cooking when i get home because it is already done!!!!

love my crock!!!!!

Re: Anyone ever use a crock pot??

I love this site for recipes:

http://crockpot.allrecipes.com/

happy crocking!