The problem could have been many things after reading everyones suggestions. I've always just cooked regular beans in my crockpot, never with tomato sauce or spices, etc. This time I was cooking baked beans and I had put everything in the pot at once, so that may have been the problem plus they had been in my pantry about a year. So many things going against those beans! :) Anyway, I gave that batch to the outside dogs, they loved them, and made a second batch. This was before I had read many of these responses, so second batch turned out much like the first. This time I kept them, to much to waste again. The next day, determined to eat the beans, I reheated a bowl in the microwave with a cover over the bowl and they softened right up! Who would have thought after all that prep & cooking for 2 days was cleared up in the microwave? Next time I will have everyones suggestions to consider before wasting all that time & money! :lol:
Thanks to everyone for your help! :)