Slow cooker are cheap to buy and they offer more beneficial low-fat strategy for cooking.
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Slow cooker are cheap to buy and they offer more beneficial low-fat strategy for cooking.
Some people swear by them. Meh, just one more kitchen appliance I don't need. Things can slow cook in a dutch oven on the woodstove, or in the smoker, or on the regular stove, or in the oven - without cluttering the flat-space real estate of the kitchen/back porch.
Back when the kids were growing up the slow cooker was all that kept them alive!
I would put food in the crock pot and put it on low and let it cook all day. When I got home from work the beans, chili, stew, roast or whatever was done and ready for supper.
It did not clutter the kitchen, it was the kitchen. I used the crock pot more than I used the stove.
I do not use it as much any more. Perhaps once every two months or so, more in the winter. I am no longer cooking for a family.
crock pots are awesome, especially for making up a batch of pinto beans
Maybe you have to grow up with them. Mom didn't have one and neither did either of my grandmothers.
I do baked beans on an overnight cook. Usually in a low oven but occasionally in the smoker with other stuff.
Stews go on a burner pad and cook all afternoon.
Eh, whatever works.
heck, I even use a thermos for a slow cooker.
DW still uses one.....after a lot of "cook while you work" years......
Only problem is....she makes the a full pot like she used to...cooking for 4....
Neighbors are the beneficiaries of overflow..... with "care packages".
I still use one when the kids are coming over for dinner. But that is a dozen times a year or so. Makes life a lot easier for me. Stews, roasts and the like. Like Kyrat said, especially in the winter when you can't grill or smoke something. I have a big 18 qt. roaster oven that I use the most when the kids come and a smaller 6 qt Crockpot.
Oh don't be silly. Just put on sock with your flip flops on those bitter cold days and grill like normal. :whistling:Quote:
especially in the winter when you can't grill or smoke something.
Months without grilled meat??? Can't do it.
The grill and the smoker work all winter, but I might have to put on the boots and maybe the barncoat. Even with 3' of snow out there, there is always a trail trampled across the patio to those two kitchen accessories. My cheap POS smoker actually works better in the winter. One year not too long ago we had so much snow, the kettle grill was more like a firepit than a standup grill. I won't go out in a full on blizzard, but a few flurries or light snow never hurt anyone. And I love mystifying the neighbors. LOL. I'll be doing a smoked pork butt in the middle of February and the people out for their daily walk are like, "do you smell BBQ?''
Which reminds me I need to hit Wallyworld for charcoal. Ours usually has it in winter, but they tend to run low near the end of January. I always keep about 4 bags on hand. The chunk stuff, not the briquettes.
Besides, in the winter, the idea is to heat the house. Cooking is a bonus. Oven on low or the woodstove. Either works. Crock pot, not so much. Cleaning out the freezer for the fall fill-up, I made beef stew a couple weeks ago. It just doesn't taste as good when it's so hot outside.
A slow cooker is a pot on the cool side of the wood Cook stove or on the wood heater in the winter . Smoker working in the winter? You bet ! That's when I do my pastrami as it is a cold smoked meat ( about 54 degrees ).
The term "smoker" these days has been usurped by the home BBQ crowd. Because my "smoker" has so many air leaks in it, it is easier to maintain a low-and-slow temp in mid-winter. LOL.
I haven't done cold smoking in decades. Had some hopes as this house had the remains of a stone smoker in the side of the back hill, would have just had to replace the pit, pipeline and roof, but the neighborhood association patrol says it's too close to the property line and can't be rebuilt (it was actually built as part of the boundary stone wall.) No, I didn't ask, but it was visible from the road when I cleared the brush away. (note to self, install higher shrubbery along road.)
I also use a crock pot for making chaga tea. I put some chaga and water in it and let it simmer. As I take the tea out, I then add water back into it. I've had it in use for 6 weeks at a time
I can see how that happened... "what you doing?" clearing off debris, "what's that? an original stone smoker... "you-re not going to use that!!!!" yes I am... "You cant! why not - my property.... "its too close to my house!" Don't worry, we have fire hydrants & I have a garden hose. "NO WAY! - I'm telling!"
Note to self .... next purchase - no homeowner's association ripping money out of my hard earned wallet, for the beautification committee.
SEND US A PICTURE!
Don't be silly - get out there!
http://www.jamesspann.com/wordpress/...56094085_b.jpg
I work on the road living in hotels a lot. Picked up a electric slow cook pressure cooker. Cooks similar to crock pot, after cookies by for designate time it will reduce to warm for 12 hours or shut off what ever you decide. Been a great asset
I made a pot of chili in mine last night.
Tomorrow has a big pot of green beans w/bacon and onions planned to go with the turkey for T-day.
Yep, works good. For a bigger pot o beans, just boil up soaked beans 15 min, wrap up 3 inches thick in a wool or poly blankie (I use an old quilt from the thrift store) and let it slow cook away. After about 4 hours check it...if not totally cooked (mine usually are unless the beans were old) reboil to heat thru and re-wrap. Even hard to cook soybeans were tender after two wraps of 4 hrs each when I did it last. No heat in the kitchen...you can wrap several pots at once...no electricity required. You can find fireless cooker recipe books way back before the civil war even. A forgotten but useful skill.