Cooking Pinto Beans- What Am I Doing Wrong?

Are you adding water when the water gets low? If so it is because you are adding cold or room temperature water, it needs to be boiling water.

FYI, we never soak our pintos.. That will also cause the skins to break.
Instead, first bring your salted, seasoned water to a boil, then add the dried beans, let the water come to a boil second time and this time, partially cover the pot with a loose fitting lid, lower the heat and simmer for 2 hours.

IF you need to add water, add boiling water.

I agree with others with the crockpot.
I just throw them in with water, cut up onion, garlic and put it in high. Check on it after 5 hours and turn it to low. Add salt last.

I put my pinto beans in my crockpot with water and turn the crock pot on warm. The next morning I pour the water out and put in enchilada sauce, my meat, chili peppers, onions and spices. I turn the crock pot on low and then serve or dinner or turn it on high and serve for lunch.

Good luck to you and yours. (I have a chicken chili recipe that I have won several chili cook offs with. If you want it, PM me.)

I had terrible luck using the stove top to cook my beans. Once I changed over to using the crock pot my beans cooked perfectly every single time. I just wash them, throw them in the crock pot with a lot of water and let them cook. I start checking them at around 5 hrs and recheck every 15-20 minutes after until they are gone.

I also cook up a couple pounds of beans and then bag them in 1 cup portions and throw them in the freezer. So much healthier to pull out a bag of home cooked beans instead of opening a can.

I'm not sure of exactly what causes the skin to break, but I don't soak mine. I wash and load 'em into the Crock Pot. I try not to overcook or over stir.

I do mine in a crockpot. Perfect everytime.

Crock pot! Perfect every time also. ;)

I crockpot my pinto beans too. No soaking necessary.
I throw in some onion, garlic, bacon, and salt. Then I turn the crockpot on high for about an hour and then low/med for another 5-6 hours.
They always turn out great, whole, and super tasty.
L.

I have soaked my beans in soda water my whole life. I haven't had this problem either.