Slow cooker help

PinotGrigio_2

I'm being a bit of a donut with my slow cooker. :eek:

When recipes say 'put it on for 5 hours'... they mean put it on low?

And just to double check :-) my cooker has a base unit, a pot that goes in that and a lid. I just put everything in the pot and put the lid on? For some reason I think there needs to be some water in between the base unit and the pot but it has big warning not to... so there is just air in between the unit and the pot?

Thanks for any help

katie_jane_2

DO NOT PUT ANY WATER OR ANYTHING IN THE BASE ONLY IN THE POT!!!
sorry didnt mean to shout im new to sc too but id hate for you to blow up your kitchen before you used your sc!
as for the other question i spose it depends what you are cooking
hth katex

thriftlady_2

No, don't put water anywhere except in the crockery pot !

My Morphy Richards model has a recipe book and all the recipe are timed for a medium setting, but with instructions for altering the time to suit low or high. So check your recipe instructions carefully;)

jobbingmusician

But generally when recipes on this messageboard say put things on for 5 hours, they are talking about on low

HappyShopper3

I read on this site that if you cook anything between 4 and 5 hours it should be on HIGH, anything that requires 8 or more hours cook on LOW. I hope that's the right info. Maybe one of the slow cooking pros can clarify this.

JillD_2

In case you are in any doubt DO NOT PUT SNY WATER BETWEEN OUTSIDE BIT AND CROCKPOT!!!!!
The outside bit just heats the pot like a hob element would heat a big saucepan.

If I put mine on in the morning, to be ready for tea, I put it on low (for about 10 hours)
If it goes on at lunchtime (also to be ready for tea) its on High (for about 5 hours).

I lob everything in the crokpot.
I always make sure everything is totally submersed as I find it better to have the sauce too runny when you want to eat - at least you can thicken with gravy/cornflour/tomato puree). If there's not enough water it will be stodgy and dry.

Good luck!