I was given an older model 4 qt.Rival crock-pot. It has 2 settings. high and low I decided to make some beef barley soup and after 2 hours on high it still had not come up to simmer although it was getting hot. Threw everything in dutch-oven and cooked it on the stove.
Is this normal? I was looking forward to making cabbage-rolls in it one day and now am not sure whether I should.
Should I have heated the broth before putting it in?

HELP!!!!!