If your split peas are not dissolving after 24 hours in a slow cooker, there are a few possible reasons for this:
Old or stale split peas: If the split peas are old or have been sitting on the shelf for a long time, they may have lost some of their moisture and freshness. Old split peas can take longer to cook and may not soften as easily.
Hard water: The water you used to cook the split peas may be hard, meaning it has a high mineral content. Hard water can interfere with the softening process of the peas, making them take longer to cook.
Insufficient water: Split peas need plenty of water to soften and dissolve properly. If there wasn't enough water in the slow cooker, the peas might not have had the opportunity to cook and absorb enough moisture to soften.
Acidic ingredients: Acidic ingredients like tomatoes or vinegar can slow down the cooking process of split peas, making them take longer to soften.
Cooker temperature issue: It's possible that the slow cooker's temperature is not reaching the necessary level to cook the peas properly. Some slow cookers may have uneven heat distribution or not reach a high enough temperature to efficiently cook the split peas.
To salvage the situation and help the split peas soften, you can try the following steps:
Check the water level: If there isn't enough water in the slow cooker, add some more to ensure the split peas are fully submerged.
Add a pinch of baking soda: Adding a small amount of baking soda (about 1/4 teaspoon) to the water can help soften the split peas by reducing their cooking time. However, don't add too much, as it can affect the taste.
Check the slow cooker's temperature: Make sure your slow cooker is working correctly and reaching the appropriate cooking temperature. If it seems to have temperature issues, you might need to consider using an alternative cooking method, like stovetop or pressure cooking.
Replace with fresh split peas: If your split peas are very old or have been sitting around for a long time, it might be best to start with a fresh batch.
Consider pre-soaking: Pre-soaking split peas overnight in water can help reduce their cooking time. Drain the soaked peas and then cook them in the slow cooker with fresh water.
If you try these tips and the split peas still don't dissolve, it's possible that there is an issue with the particular batch of split peas you have. In such cases, it's best to get a fresh batch of split peas from a different source and try again.