Should I add more water to bone broth in slow cooker?

[nomad2224]

I am making bone broth for the first time in my life and I'm using my slow cooker. It's been about 18 hours now, I was thinking to go to 24 and stop, but I see the water level has dropped about 3/4 of an inch...is that normal?

And can I just add a little more water now to bring the water level up? Or just let is be and I'll have a little less that what I initially poured?

I only opened the lid once at around an hour into it, but since then the lid has been down.

 

 

[Tom Denham]

I would probably not add water. The broth is just more concentrated now. You could add water later if you want thinner broth or just add a little water when cooking to thin the broth. Personally, I like rich broth. 

[nomad2224]

Ok thanks Tom. I'll leave it as is...but have you experienced that when some of the liquid level drops?

[Tom Denham]

I usually make bone broth in a pressure cooker which holds moisture in pretty tightly. I made it in my slow cooker one time and did add water about half way through because the level was done 1.5-2 inches. And my slow cooker is a big one that is wide, long, and rectangular. I thought too much bone was no longer in the water/broth. I guess I should have mentioned that. You want the bones mostly, if not completely, covered. 

[nomad2224]

I replied to another thread where I lamented about my broth coming out dark, cloudy and bitter. Guess I over cooked it!

[debbiedp]

I made bone broth for the first time. I used the crock pot and cooked it about 30 hours. It did not thicken when refrigerated. What did I do wrong?

[JulieP757]

Debbie - were you making chicken or beef broth?  My chicken broth thickens every time.  It's hit or miss for the beef version though.  It's still good for you, so drink up!