Recently thrifted this vintage CrockPot, is there anything I should know before using it? I’ve never used one of these old models before, is there a difference in cooking times?
Recently thrifted this vintage CrockPot, is there anything I should know before using it? I’ve never used one of these old models before, is there a difference in cooking times?
by Substantial_Ad_533
21 Comments
oddmagic777
i have an older one and i’ve never had any issues following the cooking times for modern ones
Fredredphooey
Older models run at lower temperatures than modem so read the manual (you can find them online) to see what the setting temperatures are. If they don’t list them, do a test run to see what temp you’re at two hours into a cook. Adjust modern recipes accordingly.
My Cuisinart, for instance, runs at 200F and 212F. It also has Simmer at 185F, which is probably what the Low setting on your pot is.
MoistLarry
Nope! I have that exact model left to me by my grandma. It functions the same as modern models.
ThESiXtHLeGioN
Looks good, enjoy this beauty! You can pick up an older version of one of the crock pot cookbooks from a book reseller or even Amazon. Good luck! 👍
TennSeven
Holy shit, my grandmother had that exact same model. Now I’m craving pot roast and potatoes.
imjustmurphy
Much slower than the new ones! Watch This Is Us.
beejers30
That’s just like the one I grew up with!
No_Bend8
Still use this exact one. I love it. Take care of it and it’ll last!
woohooguy
OMG I’d KILL someone to have a vintage crock pot in great condition..
Like seriously, the reason new Crockpots get so hot and dont perform as well as vintage crocks is people would throw frozen meat in a Crockpot and let it sweat for 8 hours or more, killing people.
The problem with using frozen meat in a vintage Crockpots’ is the concept of slow cooking is to bring the vessel (the crock) up to a simmer temp (185 degrees) in about 4 hours on high, 8 hours on low. When you use frozen meat, the meat is still thawing more than halfway in cooking, and that breeds dangerous bacteria for hours that make people sick with food poisoning.
The Feds in food safety got tired of trying to educate people, manufacturers didn’t want lawsuits, so they quietly conspired to raise the minimum wattage of the heating elements in Crockpots so that even if you used frozen meat, the crock would come to to a high simmer sooner, reducing the time the frozen meat spent in the danger zone, and therefore maybe saving elderly Gramma Jones life from her daughters frozen meat shenanigans.
In return, slow cooker manufacturers could also save money making each unit with a thinner crock to ensure higher heat penetration from the heat elements. “Merica FTW
Vintage Crocks cook at a lower temp over a longer time because they typically have lower wattage heat elements and a heavier more dense crock that regulates the heat better over the cooking time.
Lower and slower heat over more time is what makes vintage crocks cook better than today’s modern crocks, which run hot enough to overcook if not paid attention to.
Let’s talk about the possibility of lead in the vintage crocks another day…it makes the sauce a little bit sweeter.
_Bon_Vivant_
Same same.
Strong-Platypus-8913
Is the electrical still good? Anyway to get it checked for safety?
jrzbarb
Uh oh, shades of This is Us
tugrumpler
That is similar to mine and I love the thing. As others have said newer ones are much hotter and higher power and imo the older ones are best.
Nobody needs 900watts to run a slow cooker. Mine is 125w on low and about 185watts on high. It will gently boil the liquid on low and boil it furiously on high so that’s enough power for me. It is a SLOW cooker after all.
neural_networkgirl
I have a really lovely ceramic crockpot and it works the same as any other one! Enjoy 😊
Iamthehempist1
It’s in great condition! Good find!
RealLuxTempo
My new slow cooker that I purchased a few months back heats up faster and seems to cook hotter than my older one that is identical to your picture.
Do be careful of older electrical cords. Check for any nicks or frays.
JustlookingfromSoCal
My understanding is that the low setting on my modern slow cooker is the equivalent of high on my mama’s old crockpot. Except for raw chicken dishes, I cook everything on the low setting anyway.
PurplePhoenix77
I have this exact same crockpot in my kitchen. I bought it last year NOS from eBay. As long as you have good outlets and wiring in your home I wouldn’t worry about the electrics as long as the wiring and cord are not frayed. That This is Us scene was a tv dramatization not likely to happen. These don’t use a lot of power and I use my vintage one more than my newer slow cooker because it doesn’t overcook things.
thestankypopster
Check it for lead. A lot of the old ones, not saying this specific model, used lead. My wife got her mother’s and used a lead based coating.
CinCeeMee
I’d make sure the electric cord has no damage. For me…buying ‘vintage’ electric items anywhere is a hard pass.
TotalSmart6359
My grandmother had that exact crockpot for at least 20 years when I was a kid. I ate so much stew and chili from that thing.
21 Comments
i have an older one and i’ve never had any issues following the cooking times for modern ones
Older models run at lower temperatures than modem so read the manual (you can find them online) to see what the setting temperatures are. If they don’t list them, do a test run to see what temp you’re at two hours into a cook. Adjust modern recipes accordingly.
My Cuisinart, for instance, runs at 200F and 212F. It also has Simmer at 185F, which is probably what the Low setting on your pot is.
Nope! I have that exact model left to me by my grandma. It functions the same as modern models.
Looks good, enjoy this beauty! You can pick up an older version of one of the crock pot cookbooks from a book reseller or even Amazon. Good luck! 👍
Holy shit, my grandmother had that exact same model. Now I’m craving pot roast and potatoes.
Much slower than the new ones! Watch This Is Us.
That’s just like the one I grew up with!
Still use this exact one. I love it. Take care of it and it’ll last!
OMG I’d KILL someone to have a vintage crock pot in great condition..
Like seriously, the reason new Crockpots get so hot and dont perform as well as vintage crocks is people would throw frozen meat in a Crockpot and let it sweat for 8 hours or more, killing people.
The problem with using frozen meat in a vintage Crockpots’ is the concept of slow cooking is to bring the vessel (the crock) up to a simmer temp (185 degrees) in about 4 hours on high, 8 hours on low. When you use frozen meat, the meat is still thawing more than halfway in cooking, and that breeds dangerous bacteria for hours that make people sick with food poisoning.
The Feds in food safety got tired of trying to educate people, manufacturers didn’t want lawsuits, so they quietly conspired to raise the minimum wattage of the heating elements in Crockpots so that even if you used frozen meat, the crock would come to to a high simmer sooner, reducing the time the frozen meat spent in the danger zone, and therefore maybe saving elderly Gramma Jones life from her daughters frozen meat shenanigans.
In return, slow cooker manufacturers could also save money making each unit with a thinner crock to ensure higher heat penetration from the heat elements. “Merica FTW
Vintage Crocks cook at a lower temp over a longer time because they typically have lower wattage heat elements and a heavier more dense crock that regulates the heat better over the cooking time.
Lower and slower heat over more time is what makes vintage crocks cook better than today’s modern crocks, which run hot enough to overcook if not paid attention to.
Let’s talk about the possibility of lead in the vintage crocks another day…it makes the sauce a little bit sweeter.
Same same.
Is the electrical still good? Anyway to get it checked for safety?
Uh oh, shades of This is Us
That is similar to mine and I love the thing. As others have said newer ones are much hotter and higher power and imo the older ones are best.
Nobody needs 900watts to run a slow cooker. Mine is 125w on low and about 185watts on high. It will gently boil the liquid on low and boil it furiously on high so that’s enough power for me. It is a SLOW cooker after all.
I have a really lovely ceramic crockpot and it works the same as any other one! Enjoy 😊
It’s in great condition! Good find!
My new slow cooker that I purchased a few months back heats up faster and seems to cook hotter than my older one that is identical to your picture.
Do be careful of older electrical cords. Check for any nicks or frays.
My understanding is that the low setting on my modern slow cooker is the equivalent of high on my mama’s old crockpot. Except for raw chicken dishes, I cook everything on the low setting anyway.
I have this exact same crockpot in my kitchen. I bought it last year NOS from eBay. As long as you have good outlets and wiring in your home I wouldn’t worry about the electrics as long as the wiring and cord are not frayed. That This is Us scene was a tv dramatization not likely to happen. These don’t use a lot of power and I use my vintage one more than my newer slow cooker because it doesn’t overcook things.
Check it for lead. A lot of the old ones, not saying this specific model, used lead. My wife got her mother’s and used a lead based coating.
I’d make sure the electric cord has no damage. For me…buying ‘vintage’ electric items anywhere is a hard pass.
My grandmother had that exact crockpot for at least 20 years when I was a kid. I ate so much stew and chili from that thing.