I would like to add that I have solved this problem. I now am putting 1 cup of steel cut/pinhead oats into the slow cooker and adding 5 to 6 cups of water. What a difference! Soft, creamy, not at all stodgy oatmeal that spoons up lovely every morning for the week. I add chia seeds, walnuts and raisins when I reheat in the morning. What a difference!