Can you open the lid while it is on a slow or pressure cooker setting, or does the lid stay locked until the end of cooking time? I want to be able to check on food while it's cooking, especially when I don't know the exact cooking time for a recipe.
316885
Lid can be opened on slow cook. Cannot open on pressure cook, unless you release the pressure, then open.
702663
You might call CrockPot to check, as this is basically a small slow-cooker, and we use those to cook raw meats in all the time, with the caveat that it takes perhaps 6-10 hours to do so on the low setting. The company can tell you exactly how it works in this instance, as it is surely a safety issue they need to tell consumers about to avoid illness.
1963529
I got this cooker a few years already and this happened to me sometimes. What I do is make sure the yellow button is not up and open the lid. I take and gasket out and reapply it again and put the lid back. It works. I guess somehow when I put the lid on the gasket doesn't fit tight enough so air and steam leak out and takes a long long time to build up the pressure. Good luck!
587648
Can't help you friend. The instruction that came with mine , stated the lid is to remain open during operation. Sorry.
2087921
if the rice pan isn't fully inside the cooker you will have problems closing the top. Normally there is some pressure when closing it since it does cook under pressure and it nees to be tightly sealed. Opening, just press the button and it should slowly open by itself - at first I did try to lift it open too, but you don't need to do that.
418716
Start over. Simple as that. Cancel. Don't open. Don't try. Start again. I rarely use the pre-set menus - just set the time. If you have used a pressure cooker before - the same applies. Only you have to notice and make adjustments for time between say the stove-top - and this one. I like this one because once you get it down - you can set it and walk away.
1017611
The latch seals the slow cooker... I have owned several restaurants and this is the best slow cooker I have used. Great buy and great price
2108482
My slow cooker will reach a very gentle boil on high, though it takes a long time. I am not a particularly patient person so it's seems like a long time. If you are like me (impatient) do not use the slow cooker for reheating cooked foods after they were refrigerated. It takes forever :-( I put the food in a pot and put it on the stove. This is a slow cooker and does that well.
2043263
Hi Linda, this slow-cooker can not be pre-programmed to start when you'd like. The manual suggests you prepare everything ahead of time, refrigerate it and then plug it in and it'll start cooking. You can put it on "low" if you need a lot of time before you get home. There isn't a delayed start. It's a very nice, oval slow-cooker, though. Good luck finding a pre-programmable one, if that's what you're looking for. Happy cooking! Beth
1091625
The cooker works best if it is filled at least half full. Smaller dishes that basically cover the bottom cook way too fast because the whole liner gets hot. I cook for two people all the time but when I use the slow cooker I make large batches of soups, green chile pork, spaghetti sauce, etc. I freeze the leftovers in freezer containers in portions for two servings. Then when you have a night you are rushed and don't have time to cook you can make use of that frozen "dinner."
478996
You can not set the start time. You can set the cook time in 30 min increments. After the set cook time is over it shifts to keep warm. Generally such cookers avoid start times and some cooking temps or times that could lead to food going bad. Food must reach a high enough temp (to hot for some peoples tastes) in a short enough time and hold it for long enough time to make sure any food item will be safe. Then it must keep the food from becoming to cool after cooking when in keep warm mode so it will not spoil after being cooked. Not all foods would need such safety but they try to build them to be idiot safe. This is also why most digital cookers go to PF power failure mode and do not resume cooking after a power failure, and in the instructions say to discard anything in the cooker then.
1594132
Well I saw that to and was surprised. I have other crock pots that have the lock lid and I always locked it first. I suppose maybe because of pressure buildup.
1594133
I would think pressure build up would be the issue and perhaps they are just covering themselves. This is however, the first one I have had that had the locking lid so and got for taking to pot luck dinners. I can see no reason I would need to use the locking mechanism while at home, it cooks in the time expected regardless. TIP: if you have never used crock pot liners, get some. They make clean up a snap!!
684440
When you set your timer for say 6 hours on high or low, the timer button will NOT switch to warm when the time is up. But it keeps it warm. That is what the directions state and that is what my slow cooker works.
475725
My sister and I both have one, and she was sitting right next to me when your question arrived. We both agreed that this would be perfect in that situation. You can set it on slow cooker function and it will keep warm or turn off when it is done.
469930
I had mine for one day, the lid locked up so I ended up returning with $50 worth of food in it. I hope you have a better lock than I. Otherwise, toss it, don't waste your good money on buying a part that's half the cost of unit.
905299
The lid to this one has a small, circular hole in it which acts as a vent. I seem to recall reading somewhere not to latch the lid down while cooking so more steam can escape, and only use the latches for transporting food. You may have had the temperature too high, and if the crock pot was more than 3/4 full it could overflow or splatter. There are a few variables. Here is where you can find some user manuals: http://www.crock-pot.com/service-%26-support/product-support/instruction-manuals/instruction-manuals.html. Good luck!