This is one of the most requested recipes I get, and to be honest, it's not much of a recipe so much as it is down home cooking. That said, I suppose there are a couple of tips for making Refried Beans extra creamy and delicious. So, I decided to break it all down as simply as possible.
When I cook beans in the crockpot, I cook them on Low for six hours. That's just how I do it. They can also be cooked on High if you want them done sooner.
If you cook beans on the stovetop, let them come to a boil, reduce the heat to Low and let them simmer gently for about 2 hours. Just keep an eye on them to make sure the water doesn't evaporate while they're cooking. You may need to add a little or the beans will burn. 2 hours is about the average length of time beans will take to cook, but it will depend on how many beans you're cooking and if you pre-soaked your beans. Use a fork to press down on them, and if they're tender enough to smash easily, they're done.
I find that beans keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. If you don't think you'll be using them by then, you can absolutely freeze them. In fact, I sometimes cook large batches of beans just so that I can freeze them in small containers and pull them out when I need them. They keep in the freezer for about six months.