Slow cooker problems-it's too fast- help please!

IWannabedebtfree

Is there a REALLY 'slow cooking' slow cooker? Bought a new Morphy Richards slow cooker from Argos(3.5 L )but it cooks so quickly, even on slow, compared to my much-loved ancint Canon model(now dead). We are all out all so, day have to put it on at 7.00am and the food is too well stewed at dinnertime. Have thought of using a timer, but not sure if it's ok to leave food in slow cooker for 4 or 5 hours before it starts cooking?
Would be happier to give this slow cooker to my friend, who is home all day and buy a new, slower one.
Any help gratefully appreciated.

rsdiscos

I've put a plug timer on mine in the past. The ones usually used on lights when you go away then you can cut down the cooking time. As the weather is colder now and the food is covered I haven't had problems but wouldn't like todo this in the summer though.
Melissa

IWannabedebtfree

Thanks very much-do you think it's safe to use the 'warm' facility to cook on? I've seen this on some slow cookers-I think it means 'warm up', but I thought it may be a slower cooking method.

adelight

You could leave all the ingredients in the crockpot in the fridge overnight? It would keep it all cool sitting on the side for an extra couple of hours, especially when it's cold like now, and use the plug timer idea
I have this problem with my 3.5l SC, it's even faster if i cook bain-marie with a pyrex. I usually just ask whoever happens to be in the house around then to switch it on at xx time for me, but a plug timer is a great idea.

Fruball

I think the food would be fine

I def wouldn't put the crockpot in the fridge and then put it in the SC tho as the heat might cause it to crack :eek:

ariba10

All the modern Slow Cookers that we have tried are a lot hotter than the old ones.

We managed to buy an old one at a car boot sale, and are quite happy to leave it on without it burning the food.

2009ismyyear

IWannabedebtfree wrote: »

Thanks very much-do you think it's safe to use the 'warm' facility to cook on? I've seen this on some slow cookers-I think it means 'warm up', but I thought it may be a slower cooking method.

You could try this on a day that you were at home (weekend?) to see if it worked ?

cooking-mama

IWannabedebtfree wrote: »

Thanks very much-do you think it's safe to use the 'warm' facility to cook on? I've seen this on some slow cookers-I think it means 'warm up', but I thought it may be a slower cooking method.

No warm doesnt get hot enough to cook with...its simply a keep warm function for after the food has cooked (mine doesnt recommend using keep warm for more than 4 hours )

Mrs_Veg_Plot

I very often prepare my meal in the crocpot and put it in the fridge over night ready to put in the sc in the morning and have never had a problem with the croc cracking. There is a beef and lentil cutty in the croc in the fridge as I type ready for tomorrow nights tea. I am going to have a go at the timer suggestion as well.

Mrs VP

hot.chick

I hve the same problem with mine - my old one was great - my new one cooks MUCH quicker....

I'd go for looking one up at a carboot or maybe freecycle?

7roland8

I would think puuting ingredients in fridge overnight in bowl - then putting in slow cooker in morning - with a timer - would be fine.
taht way the food and bowl woudl slowly come to warm temp - but by then the timer would kick in - but not so soon that the cold bowl would crack.
mine also quick - but I do food in 3-4hrs as home anyway.

Just thought also - if worried of food sitting uncooked - why not use the timer to switch it off? then it would keep warm for ages anyway -and you could always blast on high for a few mins wehn you get home.