Yes, I do it often. I have a smoke alarm and a tile counter and I do it on the low setting. I've never had a moment's concern. I do this with beans which need a long cook time.

I always sleep while I'm cooking in the kitchen.
The food comes out better that way, because I don't know what's in it.
LOU

I've done it many a time. I don't think fire is a worry unless you've already got an existing wiring problem. As barnmom said, keep the temperature on low, be sure you've got a smoke alarm, and put it on a fire proof surface (like a large cookie sheet, marble trivet, etc.).

Actually, the only complaint I have about using the slow cooker overnight is that the smell of the cooking food fills the whole house, waking me up frequently & making me hungry! In the morning it takes all the willpower I have to keep from devouring the contents of the slow cooker.

I can't. My brother was a fireman and I heard too many of his stories. I also don't leave any small appliances plugged in when I'm not using them.

Can't say that I have ever left the slow cooker on while I'm sleeping but I would feel ok with it. As long as it is on a flat sturdy surface and the cord is well away from the cooker and not bunched up to where it may touch the cooker. I wouldn't leave it own while I am away from the house though. I am a nut about making sure everything is off while I'm not at home.

I do it all the time. I put a whole chicken in the pot, fill with water, add mirepoix, and make stock often.

I used to with my old one, but my new one is seems too hot on low. Plus we go to bed early, and dh who is the 'rise in the wretched dark' doesn't always get my note (or pay attention to it...) to turn it off.

Otherwise, yes, I'd do it more.

I just bought a new slow cooker, the 3in1 that has a 2, 4, and 6 quart insert and boy is it great! I cook steel cut oatmeal overnight in the 2qt and wake up to breakfast already to go. The other thing I always cook overnight is chicken stock which I start at night (in the 6qt crock) cook for 12-18 hours and the next day put it in jars and let it cool and put in the freezer. It's a 24 hour process and I'd lots rather use the slow cooker overnight than the stovetop.
I don't know how it could catch fire unless the cord was somehow damaged.

I do it when I make overnight oatmeal. I've never had a problem.

I've also made oatmeal overnight and a couple of breakfast casseroles without a second thought. I've had a couple of house fires and won't even use the fireplace, but I use that crockpot without fear for some reason. Right now I'm at work, but I have a pot of beans at home that's been cooking since 8 a.m., they'll be ready tonight for supper.

I figure the risk is minimal or the company would have been sued so many times they'd be out of business. Sure, it might catch fire. And then again, I might get hit by a truck stepping off the curb, but I still walk to work everyday.

Anything can happen but in the grand scheme of things my crockpot is one of the least of my concerns.

Annie

Annie, I seem to recall you have an older crockpot. Would you do it with the newer ones that cook so hot? The one I had (before I threw it out in disgust) actually boiled on low! With crockpots it's more waking up to a burned or boiled over mess that disuades me. With other appliances it's the fire hazzard. Knowing what I know now about coffeepots, no way will I keep one plugged in while not in use.

I've often cooked beans overnight in the crockpot, but that was in my older Crockpot. Had to get rid of that one because *eep* the wiring had gone bad in it, I caught that during the day, thankfully. Not sure how I feel about cooking overnight in a new crockpot.

No, Renee, I'm looking for an old crockpot. I have one of those new "nuclear fusion" kind of crockpots and it boils, even on low. I hate it and it's not good for one darned thing except beans and oatmeal.....

Annie

I tried but the smell of food cooking wakes me in the middle of the night!

I have one of the older ones that simmers barely on high. My sis had one of the new ones that boiled on low. I made a soup in it that I was trying to keep warm, not cooked to death, until the meal was served. I kept turning it off. What an annoyance.

I hate the new ones..I was using my old one..until I took it out, and it slipped from my hands on the way back in the house from a function..I cried!!!!!

I bought a smaller new one..it's still a hot cooker..but not as bad as the big programable one!

But yes..I leave the house or sleep with a crock pot cooking..
No problems..