One question people ask about crock pots is, do you put water in a crock pot? The answer mainly depends on the recipe you are going to cook. This article will explain when and why you should and should not put water in a crockpot.

Preparing food using a crock pot helps you not only save time and effort but also enjoy delicious meals. Yet, to maximize these benefits, you have to consider certain things when cooking with your crockpot.

Do You Put Water in a Crock-Pot?

A crockpot is a sealed cooking appliance. It cooks food for about 4-10 hours on low heat, barely hitting a boiling temperature. During the cooking process, no steam is released, so there is little to no water lost.

In most cases, you do not need to put water in a crockpot. It is necessary to add water in a crock pot only when the recipe requires you to do so.

How Much Water Is Needed in a Crock Pot?

Generally, you need to put a limited amount of liquid in a crock pot. The liquid may be water, broth, or wine.

A common rule is to use much less water in a crockpot than the total amount you use for a similar recipe you cook on a stovetop.

You must limit the liquid you add to a crock pot unless you are cooking soups or stews. Maintain liquids at a minimum if you are trying a new recipe or don’t know how much water to use.

Things You Can Do Instead of Adding Water in a Crock Pot

Aside from adding water to a crockpot, you can use other ingredients to increase the amount of liquid.

For example, some vegetables and meats can produce juices while cooking. This way, your food will have enough liquid and taste more flavorful.

Additionally, you should fill your crock pot at least halfway. To achieve this, make use of the ingredients instead of adding liquids.

Tips On Using Your Crock Pot

Remember to leave the crock pot’s lid on when cooking. You should avoid opening the lid excessively when not needed. Also, use an oven-safe bowl in a crock pot at all times.

Do not overfill or under-fill your crock pot with water and ingredients.

Many crock pots come with a maximum level indicator in the pot, or the manufacturer’s manual will state the ideal fill levels. The usual safe fill range for crock pots is anywhere between half and three-quarters full. 

When you under-fill a crock pot, it will cook your food quickly, and you might end up overcooking or burning your food.

On the other hand, if you fill the crock pot to the brim, it may take longer to cook the food than the suggested cooking time. You may also end up overflowing the pot, particularly as some foods expand during cooking.

Take note that a crock pot cooks food faster at the bottom than at the top. So, when you cook a dish with several ingredients, load the ingredients that cook longer at the bottom and put faster-cooking foods on top.

Ways to Keep Food From Burning in a Crock Pot

There is sufficient heat circulation when the slow cooker is halfway to three-quarters full. This guarantees that the food braises or simmers.

But if the measurement is too low, you will have boiling or burned food. There are several ways to avoid burning food in a crock pot.

When cooking chicken or other meats, you can make tinfoil balls and put them on the bottom of the crock pot. You can then add the meat and allow it to cook with a little water or stock. You may also opt to wrap the meat in foil and place it above other ingredients.

Before you begin cooking, spread cooking oil inside the crock pot to prevent food from sticking.

Moreover, use FDA-approved BPA-free plastic pot liners. Disposable liners are intended for one-time use, which makes cleaning easier.

Most importantly, follow the crock pot recipe’s recommended temperature settings and cooking time. In doing so, you can enjoy a well-cooked meal from your crock pot.

The Bottom Line

A crock pot cooks food at low temperatures and in an enclosed environment, so generally, it is not advisable to put water in a crock pot.

However, a limited amount of water can be added when it is part of the recipe.

Crockpot recipes have different recommended measurements in terms of liquid input. Therefore, to know whether you need to put water or other forms of liquids in a crock pot and how much you add, check the recipe of the dish you are making.