What to do with a teeny "slow cooker"

[im_nomad]

I had a small crock pot / slow cooker passed along to me which had been part of a set, but not used. Bravetti model, looks like it'd hold about 2 cups or so. There are no settings or knobs, just a plug in. No instructions and I don't seem to be having much luck online, with the exception of sales sites.

I'm wondering if I can use this for something other than simply keeping a warm dip going, or what not. I don't eat meat, so it would be useless for me to put something in there such as that. Can small portions or beans or rice or what not be left to simmer?

[eclecticsynergy]

I have a tiny one too- the annoying thing is the lack of a low setting. But it works well for soup or stew for one.

[Capiree]

I filled mine with onions and a little bit of beef stodk and butter, Made a great base for gravy.

[Jeri L]

I use mine to "roast" baby beets. Just wash them, rub with a little olive oil and let 'em go. Depending on size and how tough they are, 5 hours to overnight. I've never had them scorch.

[falconress]

We use one for our Sabbath cholent (bean 'n meat stew, similar to cassoulet) when we aren't having guests and only need a small amount. Mine has a low, high, and keep warm setting. I start with the High, then at the start of the Sabbath switch it to Keep Warm, where it simmers for about 16 hours.

I use a Stock Pot liner, which makes clean-up an absolute cinch. I buy mine in a Jewish grocery. The brand I get is imported from Israel and is dirt cheap, like $1.29 for 10. They are too big for the small size stock pot, but I just cut them down. Reynolds makes a similar product that's available at any supermarket, I think they call them Slow Cooker Liners, unfortunately not quite as dirt cheap as the Israeli ones but definitely worthwhile since they make cleaning a non-issue - just toss them out and give the pot a rinse and you're done. It may give you a lot more incentive to you use the pot more often.

[Heatherb]

My auntie used one at Christmas to do mini meatballs in that grape jelly/chili sauce combo. We had heard it was ridiculously good and decided to try it.

The mini crockpot did the job beautifully, but we did notice that it was a little too hot to keep plugged in on the low setting. It boiled rather than simmered.

[LJS]

I don't own a mini-crockpot, but a small "normal' sized one (maybe 6 cups).

I just had to chime in and thank Heatherb.

I had forgotten all about that grape jelly/chili sauce thing (which is also extremely good with cabbage rolls, BTW).

My daughter is one of a number of family members coming for a 'do' next week and she is celiac. I just toured the freezer and found a bunch of Gluten-free mini-meatballs. That is the perfect answer and that small crock-pot can serve for all guests.

I won't announce in advance the recipe specifics-I long ago discovered that for most people the phrase "gluten-free" is enough to make them wary of tasting so to further reveal the ingredients in the sauce would kill the dish!

Just wait, though, 'til they try them: they will be begging for the recipe. Thank your auntie, please!

[Heatherb]

Glad to be a source of good ideas:) Hadn't thought of it with cabbage rolls, but it makes sense...

Such a bizarre recipe - it's like an urban legend in some ways. We all got the giggles eating it. But it was undeniably yummy...

[bushwickgirl]

I remember that sauce from the 70's, and used a fondue pot, which was a hot trend at the time, to keep it warm, and dipped meatballs, of course. I was really taken back to those days when I saw your mention of it. Easy, tasty, cheap...

[PattiCakes]

Sometimes I just put some orange peel, cinnamon sticks, cloves and few other aromatic spices in there, along with some boiling water, and let it make my house smell all warm and cozy.

[bushwickgirl]

Your usage occured to me, it's a nice idea, and safer than a forgotten pot on the stove that can evaporate over time.

[PattiCakes]

It works really well. I just keep replenishing the water; the spices/peel last for days. Even if it does get low & a little crusty, it's ever so much easier to clean than a regular metal pot. Any kind of peel will work: orange, clementine, apple, lemon. Or no peel. The predominant scent is from the cinnamon & cloves.

[greygarious]

I have a 6-cup crock pot that gets used only rarely. It was just the thing, however, when my charity had an event including a lunch stand. I started sauteeing onions and peppers on my stove, then transferred them to the crockpot and kept it on low for a few hours. They plugged it in at the lunch stand, to top burgers, wieners, and sausages.

[Breezychow]

Yes, but a "6-cup" crockpot is a lot larger than a 2-cup crockpot. It's the 2-cup crockpot that the OP is asking about here.

[greygarious]

I am aware of that. A smaller amount for a smaller crockpot.

[Breezychow]

I have one of those little 2-cup ones (came as a "bonus" with my full-size one), & I've yet to use it. Frankly, according to the instruction booklet, it's only meant for keeping dips warm - not for cooking.

[chefathome]

They can be useful to keep cheese (or other) fondue warm.

[bushwickgirl]

i don't have one of these tiny slow cookers, as I didn't think I would ever use it, but the steel cut oatmeal and lentil ideas are intriguing.

I guess I'd use it for bagna cauda, queso, or maybe keeping maple syrup, chocolate or hot fudge sauce warm. I did see a mention of someone on the internet using it to "bake" apples.

[CCSPRINGS]

Cream cheese with spinach and or artichokes, some herbs and spices and a bag of tortilla chips.

[yfunk3]

Roasting one or two garlic bulbs?

[torty]

I used that size and style in the past for lentils and it worked well.

[im_nomad]

Any idea how much liquid / lentils / time etc?

[Kilgore]

We have one and in addition to keeping dips etc. warm, we love it for cooking steel cut oats overnight. I found it ran a little hot on the low setting and the oats would stick in where the wall meets the bottom. Now instead of just using water, I fill up the measuring cup with ice and then add the water to the cup and the oats are perfectly cooked in the morning.

[debbiel]

Great tip Kilgore, and sounds much less like a PITA than the other tips I've read. I might have kept that little slow cooker had I read that one!

BTW, and I hope this doesn't offend, I had a dog, a wonderful dog, named Kilgore. When I see your username here it usually brings a smile to my face.

[Miss Priss]

As debbiel says, a great tip. Picked up a Little Dipper a few years ago because it seemed useful for overnight steel-cut oats; tried it twice and ended up with scorched food that stuck to the bottom. Cut my losses and gave it away. If I'd had your ingenuity (or at least the benefit of your advice), today's breakfast might have been a lot more satisfying!

[debbiel]

I used to have one that size. I used it for cooking polenta or steel cut oats overnight so they were ready for breakfast in the morning. It didn't work wonderfully (got a little too hot on the lowest setting) and I didn't feel like using the tips I read (using an insert or something). I ended up giving it away.

[gmm]

Do a search for "little dipper crock pot recipes." It's a similar 2-cup slow cooker. Looks like the primary use is for dips and fondues, but you might be able to find some others.

[im_nomad]

TY, that did yield more results, but yeah, mostly in the dip variety.

[corneygirl]

I have a fairly small one and I love it for beans, however I think mine might be a little larger (maybe 4 quarts). I've never done rice out of fear of it turning to glue, but it does work for things like barley and farro. I thought I would use it a little more than I have, so I hope to see some other responses.