Can it cook something that hasn't already been cooked like a regular crock pot? A stew or soup for example.
1882253
The unit is not designed for use with uncooked food. If a recipe calls for uncooked meats, it should be fully cooked before combining with other ingredients and heating it in the unit.
189966
America's Test Kitchen has a recipe for "roasting" a whole chicken in a crockpot. Still, as NuJoi said, the skin won't be crispy. This unit (the four-quart) will saute, steam, or slow-cook. I'm actually going to cook New York Strip in mine tomorrow. Never done that before, but I'm hoping it will come out as tender as other meats I've cooked in this unit.
947452
We have found that this crock-pot heats rather unevenly, and food tends to "stick" and overcook along the lower edge of the inside of the crock itself. One learns not to stir too deeply, or you will have dark "flecks" of overcooked (burnt) food in your recipe.
784966
No. It doesn't work like an oven. And any slow cooker recipe will specify to cook on low, medium or high for a specific amount of hours.
2089527
Susan, this crock pot does not come with a recipe book. However, there are several books listed on line with recipes expressly for the crock pot. I ordered Gooseberry Patch Super Fast Slow Cooking. I have enjoyed several recipes from the book.
1401878
I would have no idea...probably best to check with the instructions that come with the crock pot
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.
1966627
So long as you sear your meat prior to placing it in the roaster it should work. Personally I use my crock pot for post roasts because the roaster is so large. Just remember you can't use cooking bags in the roaster either.
696095
I would not expect it to change the setting automatically unless there is a timing mechanism, which I believe it doesn't have. Some do have timers but are more expensive. That said, the heat is sufficiently low on most crockpots that the food wouldn't burn or overcook. For typical crockpot recipes, it would not be a problem if the cooker went over the suggested time, especially if it's cooking on the low (not keep warm, but low) temperature.
1858075
YES, you can cook that hasn't cooked yet (my experience with french fries show me that it Works)
957847
I home cook also. I have actually been adding ground egg shells to the food before I start the crockpot. If I were to use this again, I would probably add it after. I don't know if cooking changes it.
6938
I have not used this item as a crock pot (slow cooker). I use it for warming food that has been prepared previously. I have found that the temperature control can easily be set too high. If you are careful with this setting it should work quite well. A trial and error method will work for you if you have the patience and product to experiment in this manner.
1376981
I suppose you could, but personally I would not want to use a plastic pot for an extended period of time. A stock pot or crock pot works great for soups being cooked lengthy amounts of time. This prep works set is ideal for cooking pasta or steaming rice in the microwave. It will also cook or steam veggies. My daughter uses it in the microwave in her dorm room--very handy and versatile.
100987
The only drawback not mentioned below (leftovers) is that you would need to clean the crock pot before putting in more food to slow cook. The outside of the crock pot needs to be dry before it is put back into the cooker. Recipes? Really?
1086565
Yes, however I have had mine for at least 6 years. In addition I use it heavily. I did find a replacement stoneware on the crock pot website for only 12.00 and plan to order it rather than buying a whole new unit.
2098272
ABSOLUTELY! This is the best 'soup pot' going. Brown the meat, do your thing with the veggies, then make the soup - all right in one pot. It is a slow cooker, too. Boiled roast? No problem. We've used these pots for years! They are a major tool in our kitchen.
500562
Yes, but it wouldn't be "roasted". It would be the same as putting it in a crockpot on low, unless you browned it first.