I make mine up the night before and refrigerate. My hubby (an early riser) puts it on about 7 AM and it cooks all day. There is lots of gravy, which may be thickened with cornstarch if desired. Sometimes instead of potatoes, I cook large elbow macaroni separately (Muellers Ready-cut) and put the >>>>>> leftover macaroni in the bowl with leftover stew to soak up the good gravy. I also add a drained can of cut green beans to the veggies (during the last 4 hours) in that case.