If you like to make your beans from scratch, a crockpot is a good way to go. It does take some serious time, though, so if you’ve never cooked beans this way, bear in mind that you will need to leave them at least 8-10 hours, though some beans cook faster.

The process is extremely simple. Take a pound of dried beans, pick through them to remove rocks and buggy beans. Then put in a bowl and cover with plenty of water. These can sit overnight . . . or all day, if you plan to run the crockpot during the night.

The beans will swell up considerably from soaking and will be soft enough to dig your fingernail into.

Put the beans into the crockpot and fill to the fill line (about two inches below the lid) with fresh water. Set on high and allow to cook for min. 8 hours. Do NOT add salt since this will harden the beans before they even soften up.

During the final hour of cooking, if you wish, you may add chopped onion, bay leaves or other flavorings. Wait until the beans are fully cooked to salt to taste.

And that is how you cook beans in a crockpot or slow cooker. Next up, what to do with your beans once you’ve cooked them!