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Is this actually cooking or am I just warming up a nice batch of food poisoning?

16 replies

Rhubarbara · 30/09/2017 17:09

First time (ever) using slow cooker and I get that it's not rocket science but I am easily confused, so bear with me.

Have had a pork loin in there for the last 7 hours on low, as per the recipe. There's a soy sauce/gingery/garlicky sauce in there too, and it's not bubbling or simmering in the slightest, is that normal? I turned it up to high about an hour ago to see if I could get it going, still not much happening. I was assuming it would be a gentle simmer.

The pot is hot to touch, with condensation on the inside of the lid; I'm just worried it's at some sort of keep-warm temperature instead of an actually-cook-a-lump-of-meat temperature, and that I'm just warming up a pot of bacteria for dinner.

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Ridingthegravytrain · 30/09/2017 17:12

After 7 hours even on low the sauce should be bubbling. Have you used it before?

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Seeline · 30/09/2017 17:12

Even on low, mine would be bubbling away after 7 hours.....

slow cookers often have a keep warm function - mine's old fashioned and just has a dial so it's easy to see what level it's on.

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Wolfiefan · 30/09/2017 17:13

Mine says to ensure what you put in is hot when it goes in the pot. Was yours?

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DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 30/09/2017 17:13

Do you keep lifting the lid off to peek?

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Rhubarbara · 30/09/2017 17:18

Haven't lifted the lid up! The settings are low, high and auto. I browned the meat in a frying pan before I put it in, and added hot chicken stock too, so everything was hot.
Still not bubbling. Aargh.

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DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 30/09/2017 17:20

Sounds like it's broken. I'd take it out and put it in the oven to finish off.

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MargotMoon · 30/09/2017 17:20

It can depend on your cooker. I have two - a big one with the same settings as yours which generally cooks things hotter/faster than my smaller one which has medium setting as well. When I used the small one on low the first time it didn't cook properly and I think that must just be for keep warm (the instructions don't say this though)

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Rhubarbara · 30/09/2017 17:22

Really? It's brand new! I've checked the manual, and they've got some of their own recipes where they say to cook for 8 hours on low, so that must be the right setting, surely?

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DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 30/09/2017 17:24

Get it out and cut it and you'll see if it's cooked.

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Rhubarbara · 30/09/2017 17:24

This is what it says on their Amazon page:

Settings

HIGH - Heats to 95ËšC, food will bubble and simmer and cook more quickly. Great if you can't wait too long for a tender and tasty meal.

LOW - Heats to 85ËšC, food will cook on a low simmer and will need to cook for longer. Use this setting to cook all day while you're out and about.

AUTO - Cooks on high for 4 hours, before switching to low and keeping food hot until you're ready. Ideal for frozen food or other foods which need to be cooked fully before being left to stew.

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Rhubarbara · 30/09/2017 17:25

x-post, ok Dame, I will

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DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 30/09/2017 17:26

Never put frozen food in a slow cooker- I can't believe that's in the instructions! It doesn't get up to a safe temperature quickly enough.

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Rhubarbara · 30/09/2017 17:28

I never would!

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neveradullmoment99 · 30/09/2017 17:31

Mine doesnt bubble unless on high. I think its completely normal . If you browned the meat first, it should be thoroughly cooked.

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Wolfiefan · 30/09/2017 17:32

Frozen food?! Bloody hell. Now that is a pot of food poisoning!

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Rhubarbara · 30/09/2017 17:33

Really, never, not even a simmer?

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