Does the hole for the probe in this crockpot really not cause any problems while cooking? I was always under the impression any leaks/holes are bad
1328714
According to Hamilton Beach it acts as a vent, the steam has to go somewhere and not back into make your food more diluted like the old slow cookers. It was recommended for older ones to put a towel underneath the cover to absorb the extra moisture/steam collecting on lid. It also stated that it should not be plugged up with anything either as it could cause problems.
1328715
I have not found any problems with the hole in the cover. Everything cooks great
1328716
Gosh no, it's not a problem at all! In fact, it kinda works as a nice little vent.
1328717
I think you are thinking about a pressure cooker. No Crock Pot is vacuum sealed. Weather or not there is a gasket and/or lid locks, air can (and should) move in and out.
1328718
Look at other slow cookers, not many have what you'd call a tight-fitting lid. It's usually just a thin glass lid that can rattle a bit when cooking on Highl. I have an earlier HB Stay or Go non-programmable model with a hole, no probe, no problems. There's no stream of steam that escapes, nothing seems to come out of it, even cooking on High.
1328719
I have been using this crock pot for several months now, both with and without the temperature probe inserted. I have not had a problem either way. There are two (2) tiny vent holes where the handle attaches anyway -- if you didn't have those the lid would pop up when steam/heat pressure built up. Some people have complained that too much steam/heat escapes when the probe is not in use; you can resolve that (if it bothers you) with a small piece of aluminum foil rolled into a plug. This is a GREAT crock pot. I make everything from whole chicken, baby back ribs, chicken soup, and pasta sauce in it. I can't say enough good things about it. (Except the cord is about 4 inches too short. LOL I fixed that with a 6 inch extension cord -- works great!)
1328720
The owners manual states, "The cooking time is not affected or slowed down by steam or heat escaping from Probe Hole when probe is not in use."
1463404
It is normal. As long as the stoneware absorbs the heat from the outer part and cooks correctly...it is fine. Your lid is fine. All my crockpots are the same. Good to let a little steam out while cooking is occurring. Enjoy your new crock-pot....I love mine.
758828
I had the same concern but found out as long as the sensor does not touch the heated sides of the cooker. Insert thru the class cover thru the hole that the top knob is attached to.....Also you see the the probe is rather long so if your probe is not totally incased in a piece of meat you will get an accurate reading. This may sound nuts but is you but a cheap aquarium pump with a small plastic tube and what the call a "air stone" this will keep most you your water circulating and it is totally safe. About 6.00 at Walmart. I have moved on to a PolyScience heat/circulator with wonderful results. The prices are plummeting and is a very accurate product. I had the same concern but found out as long as the sensor does not touch the heated sides of the cooker. Insert thru the class cover thru the hole that the top knob is attached to.....Also you see the the probe is rather long so if your probe is not totally incased in a piece of meat you will get an accurate reading. This may sound nuts but is you but a cheap aquarium pump with a small plastic tube and what the call a "air stone" this will keep most you your water circulating and it is totally safe. About 6.00 at Walmart. I have moved on to a PolyScience heat/circulator with... » Read More I had the same concern but found out as long as the sensor does not touch the heated sides of the cooker. Insert thru the class cover thru the hole that the top knob is attached to.....Also you see the the probe is rather long so if your probe is not totally incased in a piece of meat you will get an accurate reading. This may sound nuts but is you but a cheap aquarium pump with a small plastic tube and what the call a "air stone" this will keep most you your water circulating and it is totally safe. About 6.00 at Walmart. I have moved on to a PolyScience heat/circulator with wonderful results. The prices are plummeting and is a very accurate product. « Show Less
1528775
I have not noticed a difference as long as you keep the probe suspended in the water. Water is a poor conductor of heat and will not fluctuate very much with the change in temp of the crockpot.
957512
Before I bought mine, several reviews I read mentioned the steam coming out near the handle as the pressure builds. I believe there is a casual mention in the directions. This is ok. If you are getting s jet of steam from the valve, you may have the cooker too full and/or the heat too high. Be sure to only fill it to the full line inside and turn down the heat once the pressure is up. I find mine works fine below medium on my electric stove.
1226683
I have. The hole wasn't an issue. I believe its there to accommodate the other cooking methods (steaming, baking) but it didn't change the result of my recipes. I totally love that thing and it's multi functions. Hope this helped a little.
1935320
Hi! No, it is not leak proof. When traveling with it I take extra precaution to not fill it too close to the top as well as snuggling it between other things so that it will have less chance of spillage. Otherwise, I try to plan meals for the thermal cooker with foods that aren't so liquid-y, like stews or pottage-type lentil stew...not really soups. You may still get a little spillage inside the cooker but that is why the manufacturer recommends placing a folded paper towel on the bottom. If you have sauces you might want to consider placing them in sealed containers then in the cooker to keep temp. Have not tried but just a suggestion. Hi! No, it is not leak proof. When traveling with it I take extra precaution to not fill it too close to the top as well as snuggling it between other things so that it will have less chance of spillage. Otherwise, I try to plan meals for the thermal cooker with foods that aren't so liquid-y, like stews or pottage-type lentil stew...not really soups. You may still get a little spillage inside the cooker but that is why the manufacturer recommends placing a folded paper towel on the bottom. If you have sauces you might want to consider placing them in sealed containers then in the cooker to... » Read More Hi! No, it is not leak proof. When traveling with it I take extra precaution to not fill it too close to the top as well as snuggling it between other things so that it will have less chance of spillage. Otherwise, I try to plan meals for the thermal cooker with foods that aren't so liquid-y, like stews or pottage-type lentil stew...not really soups. You may still get a little spillage inside the cooker but that is why the manufacturer recommends placing a folded paper towel on the bottom. If you have sauces you might want to consider placing them in sealed containers then in the cooker to keep temp. Have not tried but just a suggestion. « Show Less
179528
Yes I do. I take the inner metal container and cover home. I leave the Outer Crock Pot at work. When I get into the office I plug the Crock pot in around 10:40 am for 12 noon lunch. I insert the metal container with lid into the crock pot and cover with the plastic cover and plug it in. Nothing happens to the cover, I have been doing this for months.Oh yes It does pop when the food is hot.
799021
I have never had that problem,I'm using it right now.SLOW COOKER for BEEF STEW with NOODLES. (5 hrs.)
768653
I have not had that problem with any of the all clad cook wear I own. Except when I have used it under the broiler for frittatas
1771810
The lid does not seal securely but if I think that the contents in the casserole will leak out, I cover the dish with foil and have never had it leak when transporting it.
1123084
I have used the slow cooking mode frequently and have not experienced burnt food. In fact, I have repeated the cycle a few times or added time after one cycle without adding more liquid and have not experienced burnt food. It could be an issue of how long the timer is set for and the liquid level. Hope this helps. This cooker is easy to use and quite functional.
1942308
This happened to my lid handles from this crock pot and the other one I had from the same brand. I think there is something defective about it. If you look at the reviews you will see this happened to a number of people. Might just want to buy a different brand of crock pot.
1511700
I have the same issue. It's coming out of the hole and when I turned it off after a while and ran cold water over the pot, the orange safety thing plopped into my food and most of the liquid was gone. I put the thing back in but I wasn't sure how far it's supposed to be in. I pushed almost all the way (it's housed in a rubber thing under the lid) and partway and either way the steam just comes out of that hole. The instructions don't mention anything about steam coming out of that hole. I've never used a PC before so this is very confusing.
1657652
Heat should not escape from the lid. I had mine for just over a year and then it just died. I replaced with a much cheaper crock pot and have had no issues.
1986835
If this happens on every use, the probe or wire is probably bad. I have never had a problem when using a probe in the oven, but on the BBQ, the probe wire can be subjected to extreme temps. Say during a flare up or right over a burner. What I do now is loosely roll on foil from the beginning of the probe to the point the wire exits the BBQ. About 3 layer wrap seems good so far. The extreme temps inside a BBQ can melt the wire inside the mesh wire cover. It's heat resistant - not heat proof.
198624
I have used mine several times and as long as I have the proper fluid I have never had this problem, be sure and use proper or more fluid while cooking.