I actually learned to make this when working for a roofing company in South FL at a "tar kettle" cook off. I use 2 bags of kraut and it keeps the pork tender and juicy. As my DH doesn't eat kraut I wrap the pok loin in cheese cloth so it isn't "contaminated" - silly man eats the pork and potatos like there is no tomorrow! I don't add anything other that the pork, potatos and kraut. The juice and pork season each other nicely and don't really require anything else. And 8 hours is about the right time (for my slow cooker anyway). Darn, now I'll have to make this sometime this week!