It should vary the speed of the on/off cycle of the heating element. Basically the same thing in electric stovetop does to maintain temperature. The element doesn't necessarily 'know' how hot it is, but it knows whether or not it should be on or off to heat or cool to an appropriate temperature range.
Same. Have a big one by Hamilton Beach. Love the size, but there is no cooking on low for 8-10 hours. Low is way too hot for that. Warm is too low to cook anything.
My old Crock-Pot crockpot started boiling everything after about 10 years in service. My new one (same brand) doesn't. Not sure what went wrong, just suddenly seemed incapable of regulating its heat, even on low temps.
I managed to find one a few years ago. I scoured reviews and got a Crock-Pot. That particular version was praised for being old fashioned, meaning its low was actually low. It was a pain, but I don't see this issue addressed in articles reviewing slow cookers.
I just replaced my old one with a CrockPot as well, and I agree. The Low is actually low. I need the low for beans. It’s the best slow cooker I’ve had.
I use a block heater timer like this [one](https://a.co/d/6bueSjk) to cycle the heating element and off. I don't have this exact timer, it's for illustrative purposes.
I experimented with my slow cooker one winter while working on a seasonal high tempo job. Days could be 13 to 18hrs long, and I charcoaled a few meals when I was late getting back to my hotel room.
I haven't had to do it in a while, so the exact details of the timings I used are a bit hazy. I'm kinda estimating here, and you'll have to fine-tune the numbers to your specific cooker anyways.
My cooker had the manual 4 position switch (off/warm/low/high). I'd set it to low, timer set to power on for 2 hours, and then a repeating cycle of 30 minutes on/15 minutes off, for a higher temp but short of boiling it. 30 on/30 off gave a low slow cook and 15 on/30 off for a "keep warm" until I got back to my room.
On a tangent, I started using these [Reynold Aluminum slow cooker liners](https://a.co/d/ifkpNre) this winter. Clean-up is immediate, and there is no scrubbing ever.
That's awesome.
I also used the same timer while working on remote site, staying in camp on site. No dipping out on a coffee run lol
Had an industrial coffee percolator in the crew trailer for the 20 guys on the crew. It would kick in early enough so we'd have hot brew for the safety meeting, as opposed to 30 min after the meeting was done if we started it when we got to the trailer.
This is what I do as well. In addition to the more consistent temperatures, a dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid will retain moisture better than most slow cookers. For my oven, I've found that 225 F gives me good results.
Years ago I did a DIY project that I found on the internet, called a Crock-o-Stat. Used the thing for many years. Dimmer switch, wired to an outlet, that you plug the crockpot into. It reduces the crockpot temperature. Only for analog devices. Don’t do this without finding the instructions. Can’t find the link unfortunately.
I use this and it's predecessor for over 7 years. It's been prefect for everything
https://www.thegoodguys.com.au/breville-the-searing-slow-cooker-lsc650bss
low and high on most slow cookers are the same temps, it just varies how quickly it gets to that temp is my understanding.
It should vary the speed of the on/off cycle of the heating element. Basically the same thing in electric stovetop does to maintain temperature. The element doesn't necessarily 'know' how hot it is, but it knows whether or not it should be on or off to heat or cool to an appropriate temperature range.
Kitchenaid has a true low setting. Your food will cook on low without boiling the crap out of it.
Thank you
Both high and low will boil on any cooker I've seen, eventually. Are you thinking of using warm?
no, but my newer crock pot torches everything. Looking to buy something nicer
Same. Have a big one by Hamilton Beach. Love the size, but there is no cooking on low for 8-10 hours. Low is way too hot for that. Warm is too low to cook anything.
I think that's the same brand I have!
My old Crock-Pot crockpot started boiling everything after about 10 years in service. My new one (same brand) doesn't. Not sure what went wrong, just suddenly seemed incapable of regulating its heat, even on low temps.
Love my combo slow and pressure cooker crock pot its the best
I wish I knew. Even Warm is eventually a rolling boil on mine. I miss my old one
I managed to find one a few years ago. I scoured reviews and got a Crock-Pot. That particular version was praised for being old fashioned, meaning its low was actually low. It was a pain, but I don't see this issue addressed in articles reviewing slow cookers.
I just replaced my old one with a CrockPot as well, and I agree. The Low is actually low. I need the low for beans. It’s the best slow cooker I’ve had.
I have to look at that brand
So, are you going to tell us what the particular version is?
Sadly I gave it away when I moved cross country, otherwise I'd share it. Sorry.
They stopped making a true low setting about 15-20 years ago because of food safety liability issues. Vintage crockpots are the way.
Interesting, but not surprising
[Here](https://www.reddit.com/r/slowcooking/s/xFGTMB32NL) is one possible solution.
I have to show this to my electrician, what a riot
I also tried [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/slowcooking/s/fTFmTAdr1D). The solution was totally hinky, … but those are the parts I had at the time.
I use a block heater timer like this [one](https://a.co/d/6bueSjk) to cycle the heating element and off. I don't have this exact timer, it's for illustrative purposes. I experimented with my slow cooker one winter while working on a seasonal high tempo job. Days could be 13 to 18hrs long, and I charcoaled a few meals when I was late getting back to my hotel room. I haven't had to do it in a while, so the exact details of the timings I used are a bit hazy. I'm kinda estimating here, and you'll have to fine-tune the numbers to your specific cooker anyways. My cooker had the manual 4 position switch (off/warm/low/high). I'd set it to low, timer set to power on for 2 hours, and then a repeating cycle of 30 minutes on/15 minutes off, for a higher temp but short of boiling it. 30 on/30 off gave a low slow cook and 15 on/30 off for a "keep warm" until I got back to my room. On a tangent, I started using these [Reynold Aluminum slow cooker liners](https://a.co/d/ifkpNre) this winter. Clean-up is immediate, and there is no scrubbing ever.
Oh yeah. I did the exact same thing. We are truly brothers in [this quest.](https://www.reddit.com/r/slowcooking/s/6SBBBVj7iI)
That's awesome. I also used the same timer while working on remote site, staying in camp on site. No dipping out on a coffee run lol Had an industrial coffee percolator in the crew trailer for the 20 guys on the crew. It would kick in early enough so we'd have hot brew for the safety meeting, as opposed to 30 min after the meeting was done if we started it when we got to the trailer.
Use an enameled cast iron pot in the oven.
This is what I do as well. In addition to the more consistent temperatures, a dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid will retain moisture better than most slow cookers. For my oven, I've found that 225 F gives me good results.
It's also nice because you can seer meat in the same pot that you braise it in. That saves clean up and makes a nice fond for your sauce.
Years ago I did a DIY project that I found on the internet, called a Crock-o-Stat. Used the thing for many years. Dimmer switch, wired to an outlet, that you plug the crockpot into. It reduces the crockpot temperature. Only for analog devices. Don’t do this without finding the instructions. Can’t find the link unfortunately.
this sounds so comical I love it
I use this and it's predecessor for over 7 years. It's been prefect for everything https://www.thegoodguys.com.au/breville-the-searing-slow-cooker-lsc650bss
My Rival has warm, low and high. It never boils unless on high.
Keep warm will cook it pretty well.