I have a Dream Pot and find it really good, so let's troubleshoot. When do you prepare (for example) your dinner meal for the Dream Pot - in the morning or at lunch time? If in the morning, then I think there's the problem. It won't keep it hot for that long, but if prepared at lunch time, say 12:00 midday, and you eat at 6:00pm, then it should still be hot enough to enjoy. If not, then perhaps there's something wrong with the insulation in your Pot. Do you cook it for 20 minutes first on your stove? Is the water in the big container actually boiling when you put it into the Dream Pot to heat it up while you pre-cook the meal? Do you leave the DreamPot inside or outside while it's 'cooking' your meal? If outside, and it's cold weather, you might need extra insulation around it like a rug or put it in a sleeping bag. If inside, you could just use a plastic bag and a rug around it. Air temperature will affect it, I would have thought, but I don't know for sure. Please let me know how you get on.
-- Edited by Romy5152 on Saturday 20th of April 2013 11:23:46 AM
I have tried this unit only couple of times. Followed dreampot recipe bk exactly. Meal good flavour but only luke warm. Used suggested times. Any help much appreciated.
If I make my meal for the thermal pot in the morning I just re-heat at dinner time if it's not quite hot enough. As Romy5152 says, it won't keep hot all day.
I am still waiting on my Thermos Shuttle Chef. So I have been reading up heaps about it.
Make sure you count the cooling time on the stove from when your meal is actually boiling well, not just the odd bubble. For mine they say it will stay hot enough to eat for 7-10 hours. I liked this one better as I read all the road testing they did on it, including the taking of the meals temp throughout the waiting time, and it never went below 68' C after 10 hours. I think it must be above 64' for it not to become a bacteria haven.
I can't wait to get mine...hurry up kids and Christmas so I can get mine.
Try boiling up some water and preheating the thermal insulator whilst the cooking is going on. Tip the hot water out (use it for washing or rinsing dishes).
I swear by my Dreampot! I generally prepare the evening meal in the morning and keep on the boil for 20 mins and then in it goes! This was when i worked and at that time when i got home, it just needed to be reheated again for a couple of minutes. Now i am retired and living a life of leisure (i wish!!) I put it on at lunchtime and its right to go by early evening. I am very satisfied with my DP. Need to perfect the cakes and bread type recipes though. Did enjoy the lemonade scones! It does not however replace our little BabyQ which we never leave home without! Per heating the pot also helps contain the heat.
each time you use the DP you get better at it. It will come into its own during the winter months.
Make sure you try different recipes. There are stacks of ideas on line for thermal cooking recipes. If anyone has some that they have test driven and perfected, i would love a copy.
Bon Appetit
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The Maccas ....
2013 Avida Esperance Motorhome - based in northern NSW.
we have a Dream Pot and love it - if you would like to sell please put us on the list.
if you have the size with two pots then the larger should be around 3/4 full and before the food to be cooked in that container is put into the Dream Pot it must have boiled with the lid on for around 30 minutes.
the large pot put inside the Dream Pot with its lid in place and the Dream Po lid closed will stay scalding hot for at least eight hours.
If you cook less that 3/4 full then use the smaller pot and then put it into the Dream Pot on top of the larger pot which you should 3/4 fill with boiling water.
Close the Dream Pot and the food wil be scalding hot for at least eight hours.
agreed some peope find this difficult but you have never had Corned Beef till you cook it in a Dream Pot.
We use our DP at home and abroad. I love cooking a big batch of chili in it. Col cooked us some wonderful chicken pasta soup in it for our first night on the road last week and we both thought it was wonderful (hot, too). Hungarian Goulash is another favourite DP meal. I agree you have to make a fair bit of food in it for it to remain hot for hours, which can be daunting for a couple to polish off, but then you have a meal for the next night or two as well once it is cooked. We just filled up a couple of flat containers for the fridge and had some more for lunch/dinner the next day.
If inside, you could just use a plastic bag and a rug around it. Air temperature will affect it, I would have thought, but I don't know for sure. Please let me know how you get on. 
