crock pot cooking

[marla]

I know this is going to sound stupid, so please forgive me in advance. I read a lot about all of you using crock pots to cook and how inexpensive it is. My question is what are they exactly and how do they work? I'm sorry for being so naive.

[gakline]

Don't worry about asking stupid questions. I'm sure a bunch of other people we wondering the same thing and just never asked. It's usually a ceramic pot inside of a larger pot with a heating element. It's a slow cooking method. They're nice in that you can throw in the ingredients and then leave it be for a few hours.

How they work: There's heating coil on the bottom that heats the ceramic pot and cooks the food. There are usually a few settings.
You've probably seen them at some potlucks. People usually throw those little sausages or meatballs in them to keep warm.

Here's link to some: http://www.rivalproducts.com/eStore/...ategoryId=1186

[SeeAPenny]

Yes to the above, and also my 2 cents: probably the handiest feature about crockpot cooking is the convenience factor. For example, if one anticipates a busy day ahead (work, activities, etc), s/he can throw all necessary ingredients for a soup or stew into the crockpot in the a.m., let it simmer slowly all day -- and come home to a ready-made, delicious hot meal for dinner. Or even breakfast -- say for example, a hearty grain cereal of some kind that's cooked through the night while one sleeps. While crockpots can be very energy efficient, I think the money savings mainly come in because they can help one avoid expensive convenience food, or even the temptation to eat out, on those days when a person anticipates s/he will feel too busy or tired to 'cook'. Crockpot cookery does take a certain amount of advanced planning however, because of the 6 - 12 hour cooking time depending on what's being made (plus, beans may still need to be soaked, vegetables peeled/chopped, etc...). There are a number of good crockpot cookbooks and online recipes out there to help one get started.....

I have two second-hand, thriftstore crockpots that serve me very well, sometimes even at the same time! (during canning season for example (applesauce). Or, with a main dish in one, a side dish in another...) I do believe crockpots have a place in any frugal kitchen....

[Tree0164]

I love my crockpot. I got mine when I was working out the house several days a week and it made coming home much easier and then cooking a meal. I probably use mine atleast once and sometimes several times a week.

You can dump chicken with a bbq sauce or what ever you like and yum yum! If you look under the meal planning ones I have several of my family fave that we have.

[jaksilee]

I Love mine also!!! I cook in mine at least once a week! If you have a chance check out http://www.crockerykitchen.com/ it has a lot of crock pot recipes!!!