How Often Do You Use Your Crockpot

**staceyy** · 11-12-2005, 03:11 PM

Now that I'm becoming more and more frugal I find I'm using my crockpot more. It used to sit on the counter gathering dust for years. I can now buy cheaper cuts of meats and make them tender and tasty by slow cooking them in my crockpot. With gas prices being so high I can greatly reduce the time I would otherwise cook and bake with my gas stove. I hear some people even have two crockpots so they can prepare two different dishes or courses at the same time. I think I'll ask for another one for Christmas.

I have been using my crockpot to cook beans, meats and even desserts. This week alone I've used it to bake bread pudding twice, to make a cherry cobbler and I am presently baking a German Chocolate Cake made from a cake mix with added coconut and nuts. The recipe even says the cake will make its own frosting! I can hardly wait to try it.

So how often do you use your crockpot and what do you cook in it? Do you find it saves you time and money?

Stacey

**YankeeMom** · 11-12-2005, 03:29 PM

I use it *at least* once a week. Usually it's 2-3 times/week. I use it on Girl Scout nights when I'm gone from 4-5pm. I use it when I'm going to be gone most of the day and don't have time to thaw/prep anything. Plus, a lot of our most favorite recipes are crockpot recipes

**PrairieRose** · 11-12-2005, 03:35 PM

I don't use mine often enough. I'm trying to make myself use it more. You girls are doing great. I always love it when I prep ahead enough to use mine.

**AmyBoz** · 11-12-2005, 03:45 PM

When roast or chicken is on sale, then I use it twice a week. If there is no roast or chicken in the freezer, it doesn't get used, although I am interested in learning other recipes for dinners I can make in the pot. I know someone had a crockpot mac and cheese recipe that I'm interested in trying. I just need to find that thread. Especially with play rehearsals coming up, we won't be getting in the door until 5:30. How wonderful to have dinner all made!

**AmyBoz** · 11-12-2005, 03:53 PM

I should edit that last post. I also use it (like today) to cook my pasta sauce with meatballs and sausage.

**staceyy** · 11-12-2005, 04:06 PM

Yankee Mom, you said you use the crockpot when you don't have time to thaw foods. Does this mean you cook frozen foods in the crockpot? I wasn't aware you could do this. If so, tell me more!

**YankeeMom** · 11-12-2005, 04:12 PM

Yup. When I make "to die for pot roast", I don't bother to thaw the roast. I throw it in with the water, dry brown gravy mix, dry italian dressing mix, & dry ranch mix.

Same with chicken (breasts, thighs, legs, bone in or not). I don't thaw it unless it's necessary for me to have the pieces separated. I have an oval crockpot. This makes it easier for me to manipulate the food so that it fits in without taking the pieces apart.

It doesn't take any longer to cook it from thawed as it does from frozen, at least not for me. I actually prefer to start the chicken breast out from frozen because it's less likely to taste dried out.

**AmyBoz** · 11-12-2005, 04:13 PM

I put a frozen rump roast in the crockpot with about 1/3 of it covered in water at 7 am and it is cooked thoroughly and delicious by the time we eat at 6:00 pm.

I also put frozen, boneless chicken breasts in the crockpot with 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup and one can of water for the same time period and it melts in your mouth...fully cooked!

**Nada.Leona** · 11-12-2005, 06:37 PM

I would like to use it more often, but DH is so picky -- he doesn't eat soups or casseroles, and I find it difficult to find crockpot recipes for anything but! He does enjoy roasts and such done in the crockpot, which is good, because that is much easier than a roast done in the oven. Though I feel inspired by pammyboat's story about cooking chicken ( https://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/...threadid=62800 ) and I might look into the prices of whole chickens next time I go to the grocery store.