Slow Cookers/Crock Pots

[WolfpackWife]

How often do you use yours? Do you feel comfortable leaving it on at home? We got one for our wedding last year and when I was working from home from August-December of last year I used it several times. Now that I work out of the house, oddly I've forgotten about it! Until yesterday, when I came across a list of highly rated slow cooker recipes. I figured, what the hell, I won't have to cook when I get home. But I kinda freaked when I turned it on and left this morning! All I could think was "if there's a fire, I hope the dog doesn't hide somewhere so when the fire department breaks down the front door/either of the sliding glass doors he can escape". Yep, that's exactly where my mind goes first.

[Thirteen]

We use ours maybe 1x a week. If it's on a low setting, I'm okay with leaving it for a few hours while I run errands.


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[WolfpackWife]

Mine's on low...but it's been home alone with the dog for going on...5.5 hours now? Good thing DH will be going home soon...

[SuzySunshine]

I use mine about once a week and I've never had an issue leaving it. Because of our schedules it doesn't get left more then a few hours at a time now but I've left it for a full day when I was working full time. If its new and the cord is perfect and you've never had electrical issues in your house I wouldn't worry about it being left alone. Most all day cooking is on low anyway.

[ladymoreta]

I think it's pretty safe, but I also admit to worrying when I'm out of the house. I forget about using it, too. It's so convenient and yummy!

[GreyhoundsRUs]

I say you're fine. I did read once that the only difference between high and low is how fast the crockpots heat (not how hot they get).

[poky]

From a document from the nfpa:

Slow cooking. Slow cooking was not identified in the CPSC range study and represents
a small share of the estimated home fires involving all types of portable cooking or
warming equipment. Heat levels are typically low enough that other provisions for
safety, including close attendance, are not necessary. If the cookware is placed where an
unlikely minor overflow will not contact other combustibles, there will be added safety.
If a crock pot or similar device is used, any ignition of food will also be contained,
provided nothing has interfered with the equipment itself.

They just don't get all *that* hot, and if they're just sitting on a counter where any hot food that happened to spill out wouldn't cause further problems, the chances of serious problems are really low. Only first-hand account I saw after a quick search of actual damage was from plastic that was left touching the crock pot and ignited, causing smoke damage. I think if you put it by itself out on the counter out of reach of pets, and not on top of the stove, you REALLY should be fine.

[WolfpackWife]

Ah!! Thank you! Good to know. I'm also someone who gets a little nervous at the idea of leaving the dryer running while I go out so I worry sometimes!

[Mrs. MD, Esq.]

Mine is on right now (making refried beans). I have no problem leaving it unattended (it's designed for just that)!

[Deebs]

DH and I are freaks ab fire hazards (both worked in the fire service), and its probably the only appliance we definitely leave on, frequently. As others have said, the risk just really isn't there. I do put ours on the island by itself, but really just to make myself feel better.

[SoonerTexan]

leaving the dryer running while I go out so I worry sometimes!

That one you might worry about.

[MrsK]

I love my slow cooker. I do not think twice about leaving it on when I go out (though I'm rarely gone for more than a few hours). We've had a lot of slow cooker discussions in this forum.

BTW, I know some of you follow the "Year of Slow Cooking". The kindle edition of her first cookbook is on sale for $1.99 at Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Make-Fast-Cook...6059948&sr=8-2

[L.Jane]

OMG I love you. I was trying to thing of what to make this week for dinner. I now know what I am making. Why do I forget my slow cooker? I cook with it at least once a month and yet I still forget about it.

[WolfpackWife]

I guess I didn't know the extent of how reliable they were re: leaving them out all day--I guess that is their purpose. All was well, and the pulled pork sandwiches weren't half bad!

[alotofyarn]

I almost exclusively use mine when I'm not at home - I'll load it up in the morning around 7-8 and come home around 4-5 to dinner! Sometimes I prep the night before and just turn it on in the mornings, which is nice. I don't use it as often as I should though.