This little tip was mentioned by Loretta, one of my readers.
You can use a timer (the kind you use for Christmas trees, lamps, etc. Find them in the hardware section.) to set your slow cooker. It isn’t quite as good as a programmable slow cooker, but it is very close.
And it’s perfect for slow cooked oatmeal. I set it to start about 3am and at 7am breakfast was ready, without being overcooked.
Another cool tip, mentioned by a reader (I can’t remember who!) – Walmart now has Rival 2 quart slow cookers on sale for just $4! I bought one, especially for fixing oatmeal. It’s a fantastic price. The same thing on Amazon costs $20 or more.
Happy cooking!
Micayla says
Is the $4 slow cooker in store? I don’t see it online.
Tiffany says
Yes, it was in the store. I don’t know how long they’ll be $4.
Fran says
I was there today and they weren’t on sale – regular price is $9.99.
Micayla says
I was able to get one yesterday for $4. Note, though, that they are not in the regular appliance section. There is a 2 qt Rival in the regular appliance section for 9.98, but there is a separate section of appliances that look to be special for the holidays, and that is where I found the $4 slow cooker. In the first store, it was a table in the middle of the aisle that was sold out. In the second wal-mart, which is larger and recently remodeled, it was near the entrance where the ‘holiday’ stuff usually is. Look for a serving bar that has 3 separate crockpots in it for about $35- it will be near that.
Kim B. says
That is GENIUS!! GREAT tip Loretta!! I have gotten up waaay to early to put things in the crock pot for lunch on the weekends rather then dinner & HATED it, now I won’t have to 🙂
ChiTown Girl says
OMG, I just bought that crockpot on Wednesday. I couldn’t help it, even though I KNEW I’d have to hear about it once I got home. It is my 13th crockpot. No, that’s not a typo. THIRTEEN. I know, I have a problem. I need a 12-step program. Or, is that a 13-step program? 😛
Fran says
I know what you mean! I almost bought it today but chickened out and will try the oatmeal in my bigger one. I used to have the same problem with coffee pots and telephones! Now I’m finally set – iPhone and Keurig 🙂
claire says
This makes me want to go to Walmart this afternoon, LOL. I will share this info on adding a timer to the slowcookers. What a good idea!