Bake Potatoes in a Crock Pot and Save Cash

Make Fluffy Baked Spuds using a Slow Cooker for Lower Bills

Aug 13, 2009

An easy method for making perfect baked potatoes using the crock-pot method. Baked potatoes are the healthy and delicious accompaniment for any meal.

Summer or winter, the baked potato is an ideal side dish whether serving hot or cold food. Baked potatoes are nutritionally excellent as they contain low fat, slow burn carbohydrates, vitamin C and fiber.

Baked potatoes are also heart-healthy foods which can be made with very little effort using a Crock Pot. Baked potatoes are a healthy alternative to french fries or wedges since they are much less fatty.

Crock Pot Cookery

Crock Pots - or slow cookers as they are also known, came to the fore in the 1970's during the fuel crisis caused by an enormous hike in the price of crude oil. Subsequently their use fell away somewhat as the cost of fuel became a less pressing issue.

However in our current times of economic stringency the humble crock pot is making something of a come-back as people try to stretch their money further. A simple crock pot can be purchased at reasonable cost ($30 or so) whereas more sophisticated versions that have timers and better insulation may cost double or triple.

The beauty of the slow cooker is that it consumes very little fuel compared to a conventional oven. The slow cooker works because the cooking dish is surrounded by insulation which means that all of the fuel used goes into the food rather than being wasted on heating the air or the environment. Not only is it a fuel economical method of cooking, but it also creates a lower carbon footprint.

Baking Potatoes in the Crock Pot

Take the required number of potatoes - one per person, and wash. If they are large they can be scored by cutting a cross one third of the way into the potato - this helps the heat to get into the center of the potato faster.

Tip: For a change one can select sweet potatoes as they will cook equally well in the crock pot.

Method:

It couldn't be easier than this. Switch on the crock pot selecting high power if you want the potatoes to be ready in 1-2 hours or medium if you want them within 3-4 hours. Place the potatoes into the crock pot and anoint them with a little olive oil so that the skins don't dry out.

The potatoes can be left to cook while one gets on with other jobs. If potatoes are left in the crock pot for too long they will change color. They can still be eaten though - it simply means that the sugars in the potato have started to caramelize.

The copyright of the article Bake Potatoes in a Crock Pot and Save Cash in Healthy Cooking is owned by Christine Fadhley. Permission to republish Bake Potatoes in a Crock Pot and Save Cash in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.