12V Slow Cooker

[sailorboy1]

What's the group experience with 12V DC slow cooker/crock pots? I found mixed reviews from trucker/campers and that probably is what to expect on a boat, but figure may as well ask.

It seems smart to have an upgraded power supply to it based on my reading. I guess I could use a small AC unit instead as there is already an outlet in galley, but that seems a power waster.

[JPA Cate]

Use a pressure cooker instead, with whatever fuel you already use. Most warm places you go, the slow cooker will just heat up the cabin. The p.c. is only on for a short while, and results are excellent.

It costs a lot of battery power to make heat from electricity. Trucks, et al, run their alternators constantly, sailing, one usually has the engine off. Cooler that way.

Ann

[sailorboy1]

Different things, different methods

Interested in slow cooker experiences


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[Cheechako]

Yeah, You can heat a pressure cooker for maybe 20 minutes and just turn it off. Everything will cook inside after it's off.

[Badsanta]

I have lots of AC receptacles. But they only work when the boat is docked and the boat plugged into shore power.

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[NornaBiron]

I use a Wonderbag. Heat food in a normal pan with lid (or pressure cooker) for 10 minutes or so, tuck in the Wonderbag and let it cook for a few hours. Almost energy free cooking slow cooking.

International

[w1651]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

What's the group experience with 12V DC slow cooker/crock pots? I found mixed reviews from trucker/campers and that probably is what to expect on a boat, but figure may as well ask.

It seems smart to have an upgraded power supply to it based on my reading. I guess I could use a small AC unit instead as there is already an outlet in galley, but that seems a power waster.

Have you thought about a solar cooker instead. There are a few on the market and I was thinking about getting one myself.

[rgesner]

My home AC slow cooker on high uses 270W @ 120V which is 2.25A
VxA=W
At 12V that would be 22.5A
Cooking a pot roast for 6 hours would use 135Ah
So is you can afford the Ah's and don't mind heating up your galley go for it.
Does anyone actually make a 12V slow cooker?
Running a 120V off inverter would cost even more Ah's due to conversion inefficiency.
A better albeit more expensive alternative would be a "thermal cooker" which is kinda like vacuum bottle in a pot shape (vacuum or super-insulated) - you can find them on Amazon or where ever, but $2-300 is pretty spendy for them. You heat up the meal and shove it in and they will keep the heat inside with their insulation, so they are efficient and don't heat up the galley.

[NornaBiron]

Originally Posted by rgesner

A better albeit more expensive alternative would be a "thermal cooker" which is kinda like vacuum bottle in a pot shape (vacuum or super-insulated) - you can find them on Amazon or where ever, but $2-300 is pretty spendy for them. You heat up the meal and shove it in and they will keep the heat inside with their insulation, so they are efficient and don't heat up the galley.

Or check out the Wonderbag link I posted earlier, a much cheaper thermal cooking alternative.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wonderbag-Po...ords=wonderbag

[jannw]

As mentioned above ... a pressure cooker brought to pressure and turned off and left alone will slowly continue to cook as it cools down ... it's cool down (cooking) time can be further extended by insulating it ... traditionally done to dutch ovens by putting them in a box filled with straw ... for a modern take you could just wrap your pressure cooker in a suitably sized insulating blanket and stash it out of the way.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by jannw

As mentioned above ... a pressure cooker brought to pressure and turned off and left alone will slowly continue to cook as it cools down ... it's cool down (cooking) time can be further extended by insulating it ... traditionally done to dutch ovens by putting them in a box filled with straw ... for a modern take you could just wrap your pressure cooker in a suitably sized insulating blanket and stash it out of the way.

Or, drop the hot pressure cooker in a Wonder Bag. Need one with a removable handle though. Extends heat retention time significantly. "Wonder Bag" is just a fancy version of the straw box concept.

Makes a decent sette pillow when not in use...even comes in a variety of patterns & colors...much more comfortable than a straw box.

[NornaBiron]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Or, drop the hot pressure cooker in a Wonder Bag. Need one with a removable handle though. Extends heat retention time significantly. "Wonder Bag" is just a fancy version of the straw box concept.

Makes a decent sette pillow when not in use...even comes in a variety of patterns & colors...much more comfortable than a straw box.

The Wonderbag will accommodate a long handled pan. I make sure my pressure cooker is at room pressure before tucking it in the bag. The beauty of this method is that food is cook quick to tenderise and then slow for flavour and remains hot until required.

[Badsanta]

To the OP, I used the lunchbox style 12 volt heater. I only used it while motering on the ICW. I placed the unit in the sink and plugged it in several hours before anchoring. It worked fine. I would think the 12 volt slow cooker would be great as you could start it when you left in the morning. But I would only use either while motering and not just on battery only.

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