I wanted to try the crockpot chicken tacos today. Since April had said she used frozen chicken, I went ahead and did so too. And I followed the instructions (from the crock pot) to add warm liquid first.
Well, about 20 minutes into cooking, I heard a pop, and sure enough, the stoneware crock had cracked. Not all the way through, so it didn't leak all over thankfully. I switched everything to my dutch oven and put it into the oven on a low heat (though on a day when the temps are supposed to be 100, I was not thrilled with the propect! But I had no choice!!!)
Anyway, obviously the crock is ruined. I just wanted to warn everyone about using frozen foods in the crockpot-if you make sure to follow the instructions on your crock pot, things should be fine, but know that this kind of thing is always possible, especially if you take things out of a deep freezer, like I did. Whenever possible, defrost your meats!
it never even occurred to me that could happen! i need to be really careful!
thanks for the warning!
Well, it certainly isn't your fault!!! I mean, it makes sense to me after the fact that deep frozen food right into a stoneware crock that basically sits right on the heating element could cause a problem, but I may have just gotten a dud, kwim?
The chicken is done because the oven was a lot faster, and it tastes good!!! It is just hot in my kitchen now, lmao.
Leah-I am going to see if I can get a replacement crock, but if not, I'll lyk what I look into. Honestly, I am seriously considering investing in the all clad one that has the crock you can use on the stove top. I sear a LOT of meats before cooking anyway, and that would save me from dirtying a pan, but it is HELLA $$$$. IDK-we'll see. But I do use the crock pot a lot...
Was it because of the warm liquid? I use frozen meats most of the time especially chicken but I don't use any recipe that needs warm liquids.
IDK-the instructions (of the crock pot) tell you to put in warm liquid FIRST and then frozen meats.
I guess it is like putting a hot pyrex dish on a puddle of cold water or something-the shock of the temperature difference causes those things to crack. (or if you took a cold pyrex dish out of the freezer and put it into hot water-you would also run the risk of it cracking)
That and use over time can weaken the structure of the crock. Which is why I have been so careful with it!
I haven't heard back about the cost of a replacement, but hopefully it won't be too much because I don't want to buy a whole new unit.
it never even occurred to me that could happen! i need to be really careful!
thanks for the warning!
Well, it certainly isn't your fault!!! I mean, it makes sense to me after the fact that deep frozen food right into a stoneware crock that basically sits right on the heating element could cause a problem, but I may have just gotten a dud, kwim?
The chicken is done because the oven was a lot faster, and it tastes good!!! It is just hot in my kitchen now, lmao.
Leah-I am going to see if I can get a replacement crock, but if not, I'll lyk what I look into. Honestly, I am seriously considering investing in the all clad one that has the crock you can use on the stove top. I sear a LOT of meats before cooking anyway, and that would save me from dirtying a pan, but it is HELLA $$$$. IDK-we'll see. But I do use the crock pot a lot...
Ugh that totally sucks! thank you for the warning.
I have All Clad crockpot and I am very happy with it. The only downside for me is that it's really large and I really don't cook for that many people and I don't like to freeze stuff so I wind up washing this big pot every time I use it...