It really doesn't matter, the stove works. I just love the crock pot because it won't burn on low. I usually start on medium to get it good and hot and start the process, and then about an hour or so in I switch to low and just let it simmer as long as I have time to basically. I've done it at night, and shut it off at bedtime, then turned it back on at breakfast and let it keep going for hours.