Thoughts on crockpots...

This is gonna sound weird, but I have no patience whatsoever. The idea of a crockpot will drive me nuts. I also hate the idea of leaving my home while food cooks. Personally, I don't like to leave anything unattended while cooking.

Also, I feel like the types of foods cooked in crockpots I wouldn't make. Anyway, is there something I'm not seeing....FMIL and FSIL love their crockpots. lol.

Are crockpots meant for some people and not for others? lol....This is probably the weirdest thread I have ever started. I'm curious because I originally had a crockpot on my registry and just took it off.

I tried mine out and totally messed up the meal LOL my timing was all off and it came out like crap-o-la.

I don't like leaving anything on either but I did do it overnight, while we were home sleeping - so that could be an idea for you.

As for what you can make - apparently you can make just about ANYTHING. I've heard people actually bake cakes in them too.

I have to get used to it since I've never used one before and I have to be a bit smarter about the timing. So for me b/c of FH's and I work sked, it could be really useful.

I was never a big crock pot fan until I got one

I was very afraid of leaving it alone while I was at work and wasn't a big fan of chili/stew etc

This lady at work was talking about all the things she makes in it and I was curious so I bought one

you can make virtually anything in it and it is really great if you are short on time

I would start it before I went to bed and then wake up and bam I have dinner! ( I work nights)

if its not your thing then its not your thing!

I got one, and was really excited about it, but have used it like 3 times in the last 3-4 months. I've never actually left it on when I'm not home, that idea is not something I'm comfortable with and it's just easier to cook it normally sometimes without using the crock pot lol. Now it just sits on my counter looking pretty.

I also left it on one night because I fell asleep and woke up to burnt beef LOLAlthough the crockpot didn't get ruined.

the crockpot is my favorite appliance!!! search the web you can make pretty much anything in a crockpot!! and most of the time you just have to leave it on a low setting which in my opinion is fine to leave the house with it on.

oh and my fav thing about the crockpot is they make these plastic liners (like condoms for the crockpot) that you put in first and clean up is a breeze

I personally don't want one. I, like you, don't feel comfortable leaving something plugged in while I am not home. I know people who do and it's totally fine and they love their crockpots, but not for me.

Plus the only thing I make that would make sense to make in a crockpot is chili and I have never had a problem making my chili and letting it simmer for a few hours on the stove (while I'm home of course )

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Posted by FutureJOC

I personally don't want one. I, like you, don't feel comfortable leaving something plugged in while I am not home. I know people who do and it's totally fine and they love their crockpots, but not for me.

Plus the only thing I make that would make sense to make in a crockpot is chili and I have never had a problem making my chili and letting it simmer for a few hours on the stove (while I'm home of course )

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That's how I feel...I can't think or find anything that I would really want to cook in a crockpot. I think I'm going to go to B&N and see what recipes for crockpots they have...

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Posted by cc2011

Would you say a crockpot is almost like a mini oven?

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hmmm not really

the point of a crock pot is that it cooks things slowly. so it's supposed to make things juicier and more flavorful

and i really feel like its meant for people who want to leave it on and come back to a meal

bc yes many of the things you can make in one can totally be made on the stove top or in the stove in less time

certain things tho are really meant for the crockpot like roast beef or pork roast/pot roast, ribs, pulled pork, stew etc

you can also make regular things like chicken dishes, pork chops, casseroles, even breakfast! (like omelletes)

I registered for one! Never had one before though but i liked the idea of dinner being ready for FH and I when we get home...

HOWEVER when I explained to FH what it was when he saw it on the registry, he was really adamant about not keeping something cooking when we are at work

So I think I will use it on weekends or overnight for stews, ropa vieja, pulled pork, brisket etc.

FH love really, really tender meat lol so it'll be good that I won't have to babysit the stove

and i just checked and it's been bought off our registry

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Posted by itbroi805

i also do not like crockpots. Anything I could make in a crockpot I would just make on the stove in a dutch oven. My mother always did it this way so it's what Im used to.

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This!!!!!!!!!!

I love it...

and as for leaving it on when youre not home... i can think of about 5 other appliances and electronics that are left on when youre not home and you wouldnt even think twice about it...

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Posted by AngnShaun

I love it...

and as for leaving it on when youre not home... i can think of about 5 other appliances and electronics that are left on when youre not home and you wouldnt even think twice about it...

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Yea good point - I have to remember this. I don't unplug my fridge when I leave the house?!?! lol

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Posted by Chanwich

I love the crockpot, but my mother has instilled in me the fear of leaving ANYTHING electric on when you leave the house. So I only make crockpot things on the weekends when I'm around, just in case. Thanks for the paranoia mom!

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me 2! lol io cant leave it on when im leaving for work in the morning

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Posted by WeezyGirl2354

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Posted by AngnShaun

I love it...

and as for leaving it on when youre not home... i can think of about 5 other appliances and electronics that are left on when youre not home and you wouldnt even think twice about it...

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Yea good point - I have to remember this. I don't unplug my fridge when I leave the house?!?! lol

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That's a good one.

My crockpot is my life (after DH )

I use it constantly, have for five years. I used to leave it cooking for 10-12 hours when I was working in the city. I actually have a normal size and a really huge one. I make everything in it. I'm not a big fan of a lot of the cookbooks of recipes, but I've found great stuff online.

Check out http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/

Also...it's a huge help at big holidays. For thanksgiving, we use crockpots to warm mashed potatoes, two kinds of stuffing, and other sides. We're usually a huge crowd, so it helps keep things out of the oven/stovetop and also lets all of us contribute something since we can just bring a crockpot full of food.

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