Crunchy root veg in slow cooker

jcr16

i never pre heat my slow cooker.

Ellidee

I'm not a slow cooker expert but if OP's was on low all day without being preheated would it ever reach a temp to cook properly ?

JenniO

sorry but i don't preheat either. Maybe on some slow cookers you do and some slow cookers you don't? God I wish I'd kept my slow cooker instructions now but I've never had a problem......

jackieb

Do not preheat the slow cooker.

Your slow cooker makes a great server for hot beverages or dips. Keep it on the LOW setting to maintain the proper serving temperature.

http://www.alanskitchen.com/SLOW_COOKER/Slow-Cooker-Tips/Tips.htm


It also says at the bottom right of this page not to preheat. http://media.godashboard.com/savingdinner/CCMM2-49pdf.pdf

I need to look up my instruction manual.

Be_Happy

I had same problem last week when cooking Irish Stew. Cooked for 12 hours on low and lamb and assorted veg were great, but small chunks of potato were crunchy - tasted OK, but texture offputting. Have decided to part boil potato before putting in slow cooker next time.

Smashing_Blouse

I put all mine in from 8-5 on medium, and the veg is lovely and the meat just right. I have a MR 3.5ltr and I never pre-heat.

Bongedone

Your slow cooker sounds faulty. I never par boil and never cut things small. I start from cold for 8 hours and all is perfect. I do start on high for 1 hour then drop it to low if I have the time in the morning but most times I am at work so use a timer plug to turn it on at 11am.

If the liquid is boiling then it does not make sense the veg is not cooked. You are not putting it on warm by mistake are you ?

Burlesque_Babe

I never preheat mine. I usually put mine on around 10am for a 7pm dinner. If the chunks are big I pop it on high for an hour first.

Bongedone

Be_Happy wrote: »

I had same problem last week when cooking Irish Stew. Cooked for 12 hours on low and lamb and assorted veg were great, but small chunks of potato were crunchy - tasted OK, but texture offputting. Have decided to part boil potato before putting in slow cooker next time.

Sorry just read this post. Maybe the heating element is being biased to one side of the cooker.

lil_me

Don't preheat mine either, have seen one crack because of heating empty. Please check teh instructions before preheating as a lot advise not to.

I do mine on low for ages then high for an hour or so at the end usually, especially with chicken so I know it's got to temperature. Could put it on high first if you'll be in for an hour when it starts. Other alternative is medium all day which I use regular. Saying that I've done casseroles on high all day and never had a problem.

No using high all day isn't unsafe if you do everything properly.