America's test kitchen just did a show on HOW to do it and have them turn out great. First of all if you don't want to let them soak all night then boil them for a few minutes and drain them well. This speeds up the cooking process too. You put them in the crock pot without salt until close to the end. Salt prevents them from getting as tender as they should. I've done beans in the CP without any issues too. One note, if you put a couple of bay leaves in the beans it helps prevent the stuff that causes gas.
Last edited by romanojg; 07-21-2014 at 06:32 AM.