Frugal and Energy Efficient Living

ConcernedCanuk

(13,509 posts) Sun Apr 21, 2013, 12:00 PM Apr 2013

Figured out a new use for a slow-cooker.

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Having lived without hydro for half decade, relying on a small solar system for basics I became pretty hydro-efficient.

If you have a small system, you cannot use toasters, microwaves and other high consumption utilities for very long without depleting your electrical storage.

In monitoring my tiny 45W system, I discovered I can use only high consumption utilities for a few minutes.

ok - I'll get to the point, questions will be answered.

A slow-cooker, most, on low or warm use less than 100W - a microwave - 1000+W

So, on a sunny day, storage would not be depleted much using a slow cooker to warm up food.

My slow cooker is large enough that I can put in a small bowl of previously cooked food, then just drag it out when the hunger hits -

no cleaning of the slow-cooker necessary, because I put my meal in there in a container.

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4 replies

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Figured out a new use for a slow-cooker. (Original Post) ConcernedCanuk Apr 2013 OP

That's pretty interesting. How long does it's generally take Arkansas Granny Apr 2013 #1

on low/warm, no difference if it is plastic. ConcernedCanuk Apr 2013 #2

You ever try a solar oven? Demeter Apr 2013 #3

I have 2 wood cook-stoves, 28 acres mostly bush. ConcernedCanuk Apr 2013 #4

Arkansas Granny

(31,869 posts)

1. That's pretty interesting. How long does it's generally take

Reply to ConcernedCanuk (Original post)

Sun Apr 21, 2013, 12:07 PM

Apr 2013

to warm up a bowl of food. Does it's seem to make any difference if the bowl is plastic or another material.

ConcernedCanuk

(13,509 posts)

2. on low/warm, no difference if it is plastic.

Reply to Arkansas Granny (Reply #1)

Sun Apr 21, 2013, 12:16 PM

Apr 2013

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won't even boil water, so won't melt anything.

But I'd do a test-run with glass and water in it to make sure.

depending on if the food is frozen, from the fridge, or warmed up for a bit at room temperature will determine how long it takes.

mine from the fridge - 1 hour.

warm it up on the counter for a half hour, it would be less.

first time I tried it - keep you posted.

I'm busy eating it right now!

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Demeter

(85,373 posts)

3. You ever try a solar oven?

Reply to ConcernedCanuk (Original post)

Sun Apr 21, 2013, 01:20 PM

Apr 2013

You might like it, and eat faster. And you can build it yourself.

ConcernedCanuk

(13,509 posts)

4. I have 2 wood cook-stoves, 28 acres mostly bush.

Reply to Demeter (Reply #3)

Sun Apr 21, 2013, 04:09 PM

Apr 2013

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will be using them shortly as soon as I move into the new property.

Am temporarily in a motel housekeeping unit.

But still will be using hydro for some meals, and slow-cooking on a wood stove isn't feasible.

Nice thing about the slow-cooker is I do not have to babysit it, whether I'm cooking a full pot, or just using it for a low-wattage "microwave" sort of thing.

Solar oven I'm pondering, but again - as they get quite hot, I'd have to babysit it.

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