Are things supposed to boil in a crockpot on low?

Question

My crockpot was boiling on low so I thought it was broken and got a new one but it does the same thing.

Answer 1

It's also true that crockpots (slow cookers) sold nowadays are hotter than older ones.

I've heard this is because some people were putting frozen meat/chicken in them then getting sick from non-thoroughly cooked meat or when the bacteria were able to multiply too fast (of course, never put frozen food in a crockpot).

It was more cya for the manufacturers simply to incrases the temps than to face lawsuits, etc. This is really too bad because most of the older recipes will now cook many things way too much, and it's impossible to get the lower temps. It's also less convenient because many people relied on putting food in the crockpot before work, then having it ready at dinnertime... that's too long to cook many things though and often too hot. Those things now shouldn't be cooked longer on low) than about 6 hrs, but work is usually 8 hours plus commute.

I believe there is one slow cooker that has a "keep warm" function on a timer, which may work for after the 6 hrs and before one gets home... read about that either in the amazon reader reviews of slow cookers or in the slow cooker Yahoogroup...or maybe both.

Diane B.

Answer 2

Crockpots usually 'simmer' on low. That would be a low boil: not a big ol' rolling boil.

Most crockpots for sale today actually have 3 settings: high, low and warm. The 'warm' setting probably shouldn't boil, but is still pretty hot!

Answer 3

Don't worry, it's not really boiling, it's simmering. A boil is a rolling liquid, you know, bigger bubbles (for lack of a better term). A simmer still bubbles, but small bubbles. And that's as it should be:) You're fine, crockpot away!

Answer 4

if whatever your cookin stays on low for a long period of time it will boil...my crock pot has a keep warm option...works great..