Can I use a 6 qt. slow cooker for recipies that specify a 4 1/2 qt. slow cooker?

Answer 1

The size "rule" for slow cookers is to fill them at least halfway full, up to 3/4 full or so --no matter what size or type you have.

If there's less food/liquid than that, the food can get overdone or tough from cooking at too high a temp.

You can always fill up the extra space in a larger pot with veggies, etc., or you could just put a few extra root veggies (potatoes, carrots, etc) in the bottom just to save for another meal.
Or you could try putting something inedible in the bottom, like scrunched aluminum foil balls or an upside-down glass or ceramic bowl, etc., to take up some of that space.

(whether low or high are suggested and the amount of cooking time should stay roughly the same for larger vs. smaller slow cookers)


HTH,

Diane B.

Answer 2

Yes. The recipes, typically, are geared for a specific sized cooking device. However, if you use a bigger one, it won't really have any effect on the end result.

Answer 3

why not? I would. it might just take a little longer to warm up, but not too long.