Slow Cooker?

[Lumatic]

First, my wife and I don't do much real cooking especially when camping. At the risk of betraying our ignorance, what is the difference between a slow cooker and a crock pot? Any recommendations for this type cooking? Thanks

[Lily&Me]

They are the same, I believe.

Might think about getting an InstantPot and skip the crockpot.

It does so many things...there is a good thread on it.

Maggie

[OTRA15]

Not sure, but these earlier threads in the Stella's Kitchen forum:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f484/

. . . may shed some light on the subject:


Crock Pot on the road: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f484...ad-140779.html
Slow cooking: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f484...ng-130749.html
Mini slow cooker/crockpot: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f484...ot-125134.html
Instant Pot: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f484...ot-155429.html
Dutch Oven: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f484...ing-40090.html
Northern Beans: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f484...ns-128957.html

OT -- FWIW -- just noticed this Low Class Trailer Cuisine thread: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f484...ine-20163.html



Even some Spam recipes!

Which reminds me of Snack Attack: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f484...ck-157259.html

My mouth is watering already! Happy Fourth to all.

Peter

[Lumatic]

My appetite thanks you

[AWCHIEF]

Some of these sound pretty good and easy to prepay. Going to try a few on my upcoming trip to the UP of Michigan,

http://www.doityourselfrv.com/instant-pot-recipes/

[Ruffn It]

They're the same thing.

Words of warning ... I ruined a few hunks of beef in my older crock pot before I realized how out of whack the temperature was. Turns out that boiling a roast for 9 hours isn't really the best approach . At home I do a dutch oven in the oven for all my long slow simmering needs.

Verify the temperature in that sucker if you're going to try one.

http://www.seriouseats.com/2016/02/s...cook-beef.html

http://www.seriouseats.com/2016/10/w...w-cookers.html

[Lily&Me]

I bought an InstantPot and left my crockpot and hot plate at goodwill.

The IP will cook anything, and has a slow cooker function.


Maggie

[mpsgolf]

We bought an electric pressure cooker. It can be used as a slow cooker but cal also cook things fast if need be. We like it.

[AWCHIEF]

I have only attempted to use my IP one time as a slow cooker. The results were less than satisfactory. Temp seemed too low and was not adjustable. As a pressure cooker it can not be beat.

[urnmor]

If you don't like to cook but want dinner at the end of the day I would recommend you look at the Instant Pot or another brandname pressure cooker. Although I am not a proponent of them they are easy to use and have many options that can make cooking easy for you. Just do a search for pressure cookers and slow cookers and you will get a ton of hits. Also the Instant Pot has there own forum and the folks on it are 99% passionate about it.

[Lumatic]

There is a new 6 qt Instant Pot as well as the original 6 quarter on the market. The new one is $20 cheaper. What is the difference?

[TravlinMan]

The instant pot is the easiest way to cook that I know of but it takes up so much power that I left it in storage cause I mainly dry camp. I wanna try a thermal cooker. The good ones look expensive. Has anyone tried one?

Like this?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B010S...ID=61OD8tR87uL

I cook pasta in my thermos all the time and it works great but I can't cook a stew in there. I used to do Dutch oven but nowadays I don't like to mess with a campfire or charcoal so a thermal cooker seems better.

[OTRA15]

FYI the Instant Pot thread is here: (as linked in Post #3 also)

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f484...ot-155429.html

Looked at one in the store, and like the pressure cooker aspect, as many years ago we used a traditional pressure cooker while sailing -- just on a stove top. Great one-pot meals, and the pressure reduces propane fuel consumption a lot.

Happy Fourth of July!

Peter

[uncle_bob]

Hi

If you are going to haul something along, the IP makes a lot more sense than anything else I have seen so far. They aren't small or low power, but mine has always done a good job. Running one on shore power - no problem. Running it on generator (2KW), can be done if there isn't a lot else going on. Running it on the inverter or solar - not recommended.

Total power wise, run in the pressure cooker mode, it's not that crazy to run one on the generator. What would take a number of hours to do in an oven, pot or smoker (say the pork shoulder that's in the BGE right now ...) is much less time when pressure cooked.

With *all* kitchen gizmos you must ask - how much space? how much use? what else do I sacrifice? There is no "one solution for all".

Bob

[OTRA15]

When boondocking without shore power, why not just go back to a traditional pressure cooker over an LP burner inside the AS? Used one many years ago sailing the seas. Great one-pot meals quickly, and energy efficient too. The risks are overblown IMO.

https://www.amazon.com/Presto-6-Quar...ressure+cooker

Or outdoors over a portable burner like the Iwatani 15,000 BTU butane burner we got last year, which works great on a picnic table or even the ground. Also good for early risers if DW is asleep in the trailer.

https://www.amazon.com/Iwatani-Corpo...+butane+burner

[TravlinMan]

I definitely was considering the traditional pressure cooker but the thermal cooker still looks like the best and I try to be very minimalist and I believe a thermal cooker might be more compact and can be used as a bowl or a small pot. But I was still thinkin maybe.

I'm just very intrigued by these thermal cookers, I imagine cookin meals overnight or while im drivin without havin to worry about fire or energy?

[OTRA15]

Depending on the meal, you have to boil it for 10-30 minutes, then put it inside the insulated outer pot for 4-8 hours (guessing here on the range). With an old-fashioned pressure cooker, the whole process would take no more than an hour total, including veg prep, browning onions etc. inside first. And done!

They work great but got a bad rep in the 50's and 60's from people not being careful, with resulting explosions.

Plus the 6-Qt. Presto SS one I linked is smaller [19 x 9.9 x 9.8 inches], more geared to 1-2 people IMO, and it looks like the bottom could be used as a serving bowl. The product description and user reviews say it all.

Peter

[TravlinMan]

Thanks, Peter. I will look into this for sure. Cookin for one can be a challenge sometimes when ya don't want a lot of leftovers. A steak or a burger or a sausage is usually my go to cause it's fast and small and easy but I did enjoy the days when I would just throw some meat, veggies and a can of soup into my instant pot and 20 minutes later I'd have a mighty tasty meal.

[OTRA15]

I know that menu! In fact I have the charcoal going for some local chicken sausage wheels.

Exact same process with a pressure cooker, just a different energy source, and maybe slightly higher pressure. The instructions will be clear about not letting foam clog the pressure relief valve, from too much height in the contents.

Did a lot of ocean sailing decades ago, and one crew member cooked one main meal per day in a larger pressure cooker. Very simple, satisfying, and nutritious. Plus the leftovers were good to snack on until the next main meal.

Safe travels tomorrow . . .

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by TravlinMan

The instant pot is the easiest way to cook that I know of but it takes up so much power that I left it in storage cause I mainly dry camp. I wanna try a thermal cooker. The good ones look expensive. Has anyone tried one?

Like this?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B010S...ID=61OD8tR87uL

I cook pasta in my thermos all the time and it works great but I can't cook a stew in there. I used to do Dutch oven but nowadays I don't like to mess with a campfire or charcoal so a thermal cooker seems better.

I asked for a Wonder Bag for Christmas a couple of years ago, tried it and it worked great for chicken, but haven't used it again...just not the opportunity nor inclination, but there's a thread on them here.

Same principal....bring your food to a boil for a few minutes, seal it up and leave it.


Maggie