This
is a celebration of stuff that works cheap. A few years ago my
sister-in-law Toni Baloney gave us this slow cooker for
Christmas. We used to have one of those round Rival crock pots,
but only used it once or twice. Anyway, about a year later I
began using it; makes the best whole chicken ever, and I discover new
uses all the time. But, first, it meets all my requrements
for any kitchen electronics.
- No digital controls
- No digital displays
- Off and on switch only, with optional slow/ fast.
- Sturdy
- Easily cleaned
Everything in our kitchen meets those standards (dishwasher,
compactor, cooling machines), except the microwave
dammit. Anyway, here's what this is really about. I
wanted to make some pulled pork, because I don't like that mushy pork
BBQ they sell in the food store. Bought a 5 pound pork butt, rubbed it with secret rub,
sprinkled some liquid smoke, poured a few cups of Sweet Baby Ray's over
the top, and went out to turn on the grill. But, I was out of
fuel, and wasn't about to go out again, so I pulled out the
cooker. Set it on LOW, and let it go for 13 hours. You're
looking at it. I shredded it, in pot, with the tongs, in about 3
minutes. Is it good? MoSup creamed her jeans, and she's a girl
who knows her pork BBQ. The ceramic pot insert is worth $30 by
itself, if not more. That baby is heavy, and cleans up in 27
seconds with just soap and water. Doubles as a tureen too. So
there you go. JC Penny is selling it for 19.95. You're welcome.
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I just used my El Cheapo crockpot (same controls as yours but smaller) to make my garbanzo beans and it's dead solid perfect. Soak the dried beans in the ceramic liner overnight, pour off the liquid, refill and cook on 'hi" for two hours and then "lo" for 2 - 2.5 hours. Absolutely perfect texture. Today I make hummus! Specifically, roasted red pepper hummus.
ReplyDeleteGo get some large Reynolds slow cooker liners and you'll be through cleaning in way under 27 seconds. Trash the liner, give it a wipe, you're done. It took me longer to type the sentence.
ReplyDeletePawpaw, you wouldn't even do that yourself.
ReplyDeleteRepackaged japanese rice cooker.
ReplyDeleteIf it works for you ...
Sorry there chief, no slo-mo for me. Pressure cooker, that pork butt is succulent in 1.5 hours easy.
ReplyDeleteAhem. Having invented and reviewed both methods, I'll say that the slo-mo wins out.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Roger!
ReplyDeleteAlthough we don't need any of them now, I now have purchase five fine wedding presents.
Roger you are a true renaissance man. It looks delish!
ReplyDeleteHeresy I know, but I buy the finished packaged version at Costco. Just add your own sauce. F'n Fabulous!
ReplyDeleteCasca
Sorry, Herr Schlong, but liquid smoke just don't cut it.
ReplyDelete4-5 hours indirect with REAL hickory does the trick with my own rub EVERY time. That, and a Jalapeno/onion/vinegar dousing...
Hey, no fair. JC Penny says it's $29.99, not $19.99. For that same price you can get a 6.5 quart model at Target, with a medium heat setting. Otherwise the same, except theirs has roosters painted on the outside.
ReplyDeleteI like the liner idea. Brown 'n Bags ought to work too.