Crock pot - High versus Low

[lablover]

I am making a beef stew in the crock pot. The recipe calls for it to cook 10-12 hours on low (preferred), or 4-6 hours on high. I have about 7 1/2 hours to cook it. Should I just start it out on low and then flip it to high at some point, maybe halfway through? I've never used anything but low so far.

[DebbieJ]

I'd start on low and check it about 2 hours before serving. Turn to high at that point if you think you need to.

[elephantmeg]

I usually start on high and then turn down (my thought is that it helps it get to temp faster)

[bubbaray]

IME, 7.5hrs on low is fine for stew.

[DrSally]

I think low the whole time would be fine too. BTW, I thought one of the main differences btwn low and high is how fast it gets up to temp (low takes much longer), so if you wanted to, you could start on high and then switch to low. IME, food comes out better if cooked on low.

[lablover]

Thanks all - I ended up flipping it to high for the last couple of hours since I started it at low. It was tasty. I will try keeping it on low the next time.