How to use the slow cooker

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lotusbird

Assistant Cook
Joined
Oct 29, 2011
Messages
3
Hi
I bought one of those GE 3 crock buffet slow cookers. I've been cooking with slow cookers for a long time, and everything I learned says to not remove the lid much, takes longer to heat back up, etc. So I was a little concerned when I saw the indentation for the spoon holder opening right into the crock, seems like it would allow heat to escape- I am wondering if it was meant to be used with the spoons inserted during cooking? If so, I would be a little concerned about the plastic material from the spoon leeching "stuff" into the food. am I just being a worry wart or is the temp not get high enough for me to worry about it?
Thanks

Barbara
 
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Welcome to DC!

Do you have a picture of the slow cooker? I don't think I've seen one like you're describing.
 
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I saw those for sale at Walmart the other day. I think you're right
and I wouldn't cook with the spoons in it either. If you think it
is letting too much heat escape during the cooking process, you
could probably crumple up a piece of Aluminum Foil to plug up
that gap and keep more heat in the crock pot(s).
 
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I would agree, then use the spoons for serving, when the CP is on warm.
 
Thank you

Thank you for all your replies.
This slow cooker seems to be a winner, I used it today for the first time, made chili in one, lentil soup in another, and a chicken casserole-type dish in the other. They've been cooking for 4 hrs on low, just checked and stirred, food is cooking wonderfully. I didn't use the spoons or any other plug in the hole- I wonder if GE made this crockpot cook hotter to allow for the heat loss?? All the reviews I've read on this pot are great, and I think it's a real steal at $34USD. The lid cover holders are really neat, no more cluttering up the tabletop! I think it would be a perfect item for holiday cooking. I am impressed, but of course it remains to be seen how well it holds up! I'll let you all know...

Barbara
 
I love that you can make three things at once. It would be great for large families or cooking for a get together. Sounds like you found a great deal!
 
Sounds like you made a great find, Lotusbird! Thanks for the review!

You will have to share your recipes!
 
cooking with new crock- finished!

One last post for today, my final result for the 3 crock cooker-everything came out splendidly, nothing burned and everything was cooked thru, all in the alloted timeframe of the recipes. I was especially impressed with the chicken dish, I didn't even fill the crock half full, and it didn't burn a bit. It was done first, so I switched the setting to warm while the other two remained on lo cooking, and it held the temp steady. My next step will be to cook a dish on lo, and another on high, to see how well they work together. All in all, I'm very pleased so far. The one thing that could be a minor concern for others is that each pot doesn't have a seperate indicator light, there is just one big one on the base. For me, it doesn't matter a bit, all my other crocks are vintage, and they have NO indicator light at all!
Just to note, these crocks are only 2.5 qt., so a main dish for a family of six wouldn't cut it in one crock, but all 3 add up to 7.5 qts... In any case perfect for hubby and me and a grandkid or two... just in time for Thanksgiving, now I don't need 3 seperate appliances for the sides!

Barbara
 
Excellent, Barbara! So glad you shared your experience!

What started as a question turned into a great review, from someone who experienced the whole thing!
 
I hope this is the proper place to put this.

I also have a small crock-pot (along with a big one) to reheat leftovers, like stew and soup. There are times I don't know when Mark is going to
be home, and I put leftovers in the crock to keep warm. I don't really like
reheating things in the microwave, unless I have to.
 
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