I’ve had chicken drumsticks in the crockpot for a couple of hours now. Im cooking them on high for 4 hours and have 1 hour and 50 mins left, but it looks like they’re not cooking at all. I’ve made this recipe before with no issues, should I be concerned that my crockpot isn’t cooking right?
Pls ignore that it looks kinda of gross I swear it tastes amazing when it’s done
by Slow_Way7407
32 Comments
Is it hot?
Is it plugged in?
What does it read with an internal temp thermometer? It won’t brown in the crockpot. Trust the thermometer or if it shreds easily.
I usually sear my chicken in a pan at high temperature before adding them to my slow cooker, just to add color to them
If it’s hot keep going and don’t take the lid off again (you’re losing precious heat). Trust the process but also temp the chicken ahead of eating just in case
That’s at least 8 hours on low, has it been 8 hours?
Its takes like 45 minutes just to get a crock pot up to cooking temp. That chickens only been actually cooking for an hour.
You have the lid on before and after taking the picture yeah? Also second the comment saying to get a temp on the chicken to see if it’s actually cooking, since it won’t brown in the pot.
Thats why they call it a slow cooker, insta pots cook faster. Lol
why do you keep opening the lid🤦♂️. I mean, you’re supposed to leave the lid on during the cooking process. Now if you’re into the habit of lifting the lid just to check the dish, maybe slow cooking is not for you, js
Looks like? Using the wrong sense. Put your hand nearby. If it’s hot , it’s working fine. If not, then you’ll have to adapt on the fly( think Mission Impossible, skydiving crap) put it in a Dutch Oven. Set to a medium low heat, simmer until at a safe temp. Dunzo.
When I make chicken in a crock-pot, I make sure it’s completely covered with liquid. This helps it cook more evenly. Usually I use salsa or barbecue sauce, but even water or chicken broth would work fine. You can drain off the liquid later if needed.
If it’s not 165 or whatever after four hours in high you can try to let it cook longer, could be how much stuff you have in there distributing heat unevenly. But if this is a repeat issue I’d get a new crockpot they aren’t expensive enough be worrying about food poisoning!
I know someone has probably already said this, but if you sear the meat over high heat in a pan before putting it in the slow cooker it comes out a much more aesthetically pleasing color. It also cooks faster in the slow cooker. If the meat is cooked to the correct temperature, it’s safe to eat regardless of how it looks.
You commented that it’s all good when it’s done. So please give us the recipe!
Please make a 2nd post when it is finished, with final cook times.
Every time you take the lid off, it lets all the heat out and hard for it to cook properly. Better to let it go the full time and then check.
A fan of searing all meats before slow cooking
4 hours for a slow cooker seems like a pretty short cook time. But if it’s hot then it’s cooking, just gotta wait the proper amount of time and stir occasionally.
How old is the crockpot? Or new, also. I bought a crockpot and the first time I used it, this happened. I then tested it and the water never got above 180f after 4 hours
There should be a little hole in the lid so you could stick a meat thermometer through and get a temp without opening it.
Honestly, to me, looks about right for 2 hours. The magic always happens in the last hour on 4hr high.
Don’t stress. Try not to lift the lid. Any drama throw it in a pressure cooker for 20min.
Please, put the lid back on and leave it alone.
tbh, you’ll smell when it’s done long before you need to check, poke, and prod.
Like the title of the classic final Beatles album, ‘Let It Be’.
Because it’s not. Pissing off and leaving it alone to cook with the lid on will do wonders…
Also brown it first if you want it browned.
🤦🏻♀️
The crockpot won’t brown. That’s a key missing visual. Check the temp. Also, don’t remove the lid. It is the same as opening the oven door and leaving it open. It lowers the temp and takes longer.
Gotta put the lid on bruv
Meat won’t brown on top in a slow cooker, unless you pre-sear it. The meat is likely cooking fine. If you’re worried, check the internal temp before eating.
Don’t open the cover for at least 4 hours, on high or 6 hours on low.
You need to put the Lid on. Don’t touch the lid for hrs.
It’s not going to brown, so don’t look for it to look like if you roasted it in the oven. Also stop taking off the lid.
Yeah, lid’s off brah.
Stop taking the lid off and trust the process