I was getting ready for bed and saw the pot of food on the stove from earlier my roommates were making is still there, with the heat still on medium low. It’s 2AM.
I want to go to bed and this shouldn’t be my problem, so I tried to knock on their door a few times to tell them if they forgot but they wouldn’t answer. I guess they fell asleep? I can’t even tell if they’re even home bc I can’t just go in there.
Is this safe if they leave that on all night like a slow cooker? I want to go to sleep and I was considering just turning the heat off but if this is normal cooking I don’t want to ruin their food and have them wake up to that.
…but if you CAN’T do this I still can’t get them to answer and don’t wanna fuck up their food by deciding I know better and turning it off.
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I’m so so tired I really want to go to bed… but if it’s dangerous I can’t just leave it… but if they don’t respond I don’t want them getting mad at me for turning it off.
It’s probably fine. Turn it to low if you’re worried, and make sure there’s plenty of liquid in the pot and that it’s covered.
Worst case, you’ll wake up to the smoke detector. If it’s covered and on low, it will not start a fire.
Edit for the downvotes: This is how chicken/turkey stock is made, and other slow-cooked dishes. We do it frequently, as did just about everyone’s parents and grandparents. It’s not unsafe as long as it’s covered, full of liquid, and on low.
Yes
NO.
That is a great way too get food poisoning. Or burn your house down. If they want to do that, tell them to get a slow cooker, that’s exactly what they’re meant for.
Turn it off, go to bed, and don’t feel guilty for a second.
From a safety perspective, I don’t think it’s a good idea. If the liquid dries out and the interior gets hot enough at some point, you can start a fire. If the liquid boils out of the pot and puts the stove out, you could have a gas leak. Either way, food on a fire should not stay unsupervised.
How is it being cooked? Electric slow cooker or on a stove?
Yes as long as there is enough liquid
On the lowest level where the burner stays lit, my stove is too hot to use that way and even a huge pot of chili will burn. And trying to keep the flame low is a good way to have it blow out and fill your kitchen with gas. So in short no.
No, it is not safe.
The liquid will eventually evaporate and it will start to burn anyway.
Never leave stove on and unsupervised. Just turn it off if no one is around.
one option is to just turn it off overnight (covered) then turn it on again in the morning.
no no no no no. Is their birthday soon? Get them a damn slow cooker they are like $50
Slow cooker or crock pot are designed for this. The stove us not designed for overnight cooking