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my slow cooker is too big?

14 years ago

I just bought a new crock pot and assumed that getting the big one would be the best but it's soooo big (7 qt) so I was wondering...

What do you guys think about dummying up the extra room with like a large pyrex measuring cup(4 cup) filled with water? Do you think this was work OK? I could set it in the middle with the food around it? Is this a crazy idea?

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Comments (8)

socks
14 years ago
Why do you think you need to do this? Will there only be 1" of food in the bottom otherwise?
arkansas girl
Original Author
14 years ago
Yes, that's what I mean...there's just not enough food for what it needs to be. Like, it says the pot should be 1/2 full. Well with a 7 qt dish...it takes a lot of food to fill that huge pot 1/2 full! That's why I was wondering about taking up extra space with a (heat proof) container of water.
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claire_de_luna
14 years ago
You can try it and see how it works. Who knows? It may be a solution for you. If it were me though, I'd just use the ''opportunity'' to make more food, and freeze it for the future when I'm burned out and don't want to cook.
dgkritch
14 years ago
I also cook extra and freeze for later use.
I've never had a problem with too little food in it.

Anybody know where I can buy a 10 qt.??? LOL Mine is 6 qt. and often isn't big enough. Yes, there's just two of us..... But I like to cook ahead. Especially things like pulled pork, pot roast/veggies, spaghetti sauce, etc.
Same amount of electricity pretty much whether half full or completely full.

Deanna
Bumblebeez SC Zone 7
14 years ago
I have several sized crock pots for that very reason...however, try the pyrex filler, maybe it will work, but I'm doubting it.
ntt_hou
14 years ago
I too cook and freeze the rest. I have a 6 qt. crock pot. There's just me and although, I love to cook, I don't have time to cook all the time. I make lots of my own "TV dinners". It leaves me alot more time to do other things and at the same time, still allows me to eat healthy. Besides, I love my own cooking.
stir_fryi SE Mich
14 years ago
I think cooking a small amount is a large cooker can be problematic.

I think 5 quart cookers are ideal.
Sue Marie
7 years ago
I see this post is very old, but in case someone else comes here like I did, I'd like to offer some suggestions I read at other sites. I'm researching because I'm torn between a 6 qt. on sale with all the bells and whistles or a multi-size that can handle 2 qt, 4 qt or 6 qt meals. I think I'll be getting the 6 qt because most recipes are made for that size and some won't scale down properly for smaller amounts. If the crock isn't half way full, you can put a pyrex dish inside the crock to make it heat better. Another suggestion was to put foil over the food but I think the small dish inside the crock would make more sense. Some say to cover the dish, others don't specify. Hope this helps!

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