Crock-Pot Timer Tip

Crock-Pot Timer Trick to Stop Overcooked Meals and Simplify Dinner

Do you feel like all of your meals from your Crock-Pot taste the same?  Same consistency, usually dry, overcooked, and blah.  I have discovered a Crock-Pot timer trick to help.  I love the simplicity of throwing dinner in it on the way out in the morning and having it ready when I get home.  The house always smells so good when you walk in but the contents are not always as tasty as they smell.  My kids and husband were usually not impressed with the finished product and, honestly, neither was I.  The reason everything tastes rubbery is because it is overcooked.  Coming home in the middle of the day to turn the Crock-Pot on or off is not always possible.  That is the whole reason for it in the first place, to start it and leave it cooking.  Plugging in my Christmas tree lights to a timer gave me an idea.

My Crock-Pot

My Crock-Pot is the simple version that just has a turn dial.  It is about $40.00 on Amazon. The next morning, I took the timer off of the tree and used it with my Crock-Pot! It was magical.  The timer was programmed to start mid morning and turn off about thirty minutes before we got home in the evening.  It worked like a charm!  My chicken was just right, not dry, still full of flavor, and delicious. I just put it on low when I plug the Crock-Pot into the timer and wall.  (Don’t forget to turn your dial to low or high.  It can’t turn on if the dial is in the off position.  Lesson learned the hard way!)  My Crock-Pot gets used at least every week, if not more often.

The Timer

The timer I use costs less than $10.00.  You can click on the picture and it will take you the timer on Amazon.  There are several kinds of timers out there, this was just what I had and it has worked so far.  I just set the timer to turn it on mid morning, and then off about thirty minutes to an hour before we get home.  For the fancier ones, they should have a timer, but I never did get it to work quite right on my old Crock-Pot.  For that situation, you would have to turn it on immediately and set the timer to turn it off.  There are so many ways to use a Crock-Pot.  We use it for appetizers, baked potatoes, different meats, and even dessert.  What is your favorite trick or recipe?

*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Only because I know these brands and love them.  If you purchase from these links, I may get a commission, but it will NOT affect your cost.  See my disclaimer for more information.