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Can slow cooked food be OVER cooked?


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Old 04-11-2016, 16:38
Clank007
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Hi,
I recently changed jobs to a job involving 12 hour day and night shifts.

I like to use my slow cooker but have noticed that every recipe in the books I have mentions a 'low' cooking time of 8 to 10 hours maximum.

If I want to continue using my slowcooker I'll need to leave it cooking for between 13 and 14 hours as that is the time I'll be away from the house.

Does anyone do this themselves?
Would the food be overcooked if it was cooked for that long do you think?
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Old 04-11-2016, 17:02
maggie thecat
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It depends on what you are cooking. Some recipes will have the texture and flavours cooked out of them and others will improve with a long simmer. You can plug your crockpot into a kitchen timer so it either delays or shuts off as required. With fancier models you might be able to toggle the heat to switch back on before serving.
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Old 04-11-2016, 17:06
phepia
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Why not plug it into a timer then it can come on at the time for it to be ready later
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Old 04-11-2016, 18:36
Peg ODwyer
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I used to work very long shirts too, & I found it was ok on low for 12 or 13 hours as long as it a big lump of meat liek beef, lamb or pork. I found chicken to get too "fall off the bone" if left in too long, so I stopped cooking chicken in it. Also,, make sure your potatoes & veg are a bit larger so they don;t go mushy. Veg take longer to cook in the croc or slow cooker. Or just do microwave veg when you get home,. I stopped adding legumes or grains like barley or rice as they overcook too easily, again cook them separately & add them at the last minute or just to your plate.
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Old 04-11-2016, 20:48
Toby LaRhone
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Yes, a slow cooker can overcook after 13/14 hours.
As has been suggested get a timer.
Search Amazon for "timer plugs".
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Old 05-11-2016, 15:20
brangdon
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I use a timer with mine. If you're cooking something wet it probably doesn't matter, but I have found beef lost its texture. I rarely use it for whole chicken now, because although it's OK carved with boiled potatoes and gravy etc, the remains don't make as good a curry as I would like. It turns into slurry and I prefer identifiable chunks of meat.
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Old 08-11-2016, 00:20
Peg ODwyer
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I use a timer with mine. If you're cooking something wet it probably doesn't matter, but I have found beef lost its texture. I rarely use it for whole chicken now, because although it's OK carved with boiled potatoes and gravy etc, the remains don't make as good a curry as I would like. It turns into slurry and I prefer identifiable chunks of meat.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who doesn't like chicken cooked in the slow cooker, it's ok if you are home & can take it out in 6 hours, but that defeats the point. However it is great for joints of beef, lamb & pork. I will leave those in longer than the recipe states & they are ok.
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Old 13-11-2016, 08:37
surfie
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I'm glad I'm not the only one who doesn't like chicken cooked in the slow cooker, it's ok if you are home & can take it out in 6 hours, but that defeats the point. However it is great for joints of beef, lamb & pork. I will leave those in longer than the recipe states & they are ok.
Chicken is the only one I don't use a slow cooker for as well. Gammon shanks are also good cooked in a slow cooker, left to chill and sliced. When I do gammon shanks I also add some garlic granules and onion powder to the water. It's also best to remove the skin and outer layer of fat.

I also use slow cookers to prepare mince for pasta and cottage pies. It's also good for doing stews. I load mine up in the winter and I can make enough that lasts for three days. On the third day in a slow cooker the flavour is more intense.

Another good on taught to me is Stovie a combination of onions, meat - I use good quality sausages - and potatoes.
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Old 13-11-2016, 09:02
Gogfumble
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I did a whole chicken in the slow cooker once and didn't particularly like it. Yes it was lovely and moist but it was very blah! Plus the skin doesn't go how I like it. It was also difficult to get it out of the slow cooker and the spiney bit all fell apart So I had to fish all that out of the veggies and juices so I could make stock.

But back to the op, I will join the list that says get a timer.
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Old 15-11-2016, 20:13
Mark in Essex
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Also make sure if you get a timer it is ok with the wattage of your slow cooker as a lot are just designed for lower wattage items (lights/radios etc).
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