Step 1

Add beans to unheated Cookwell; cover with 4 quarts hot water. Let stand several hours or overnight; drain.

Step 2

Preheat 18-quart roaster oven to 300 degrees F.

Step 3

Add remaining ingredients, except ketchup, to beans. Stir in 6 cups hot water.

Step 4

Cover; bake 2 hours or until beans are tender. Reduce temperature to 250 degrees F. Stir; cover and bake 5 hours.

Step 5

Stir in ketchup; cover and bake 1 hour.

Step 6

to hold: reduce temperature to 200 degrees F. Add hot water or tomato juice if beans begin to dry.