Good night snails 
Put it up and fell right back asleepthat's how i fall asleep every night! but since i'm a side sleeper there's no harm when it drops out of my hands and puts itself to sleep after 5 minutes of inactivityFell asleep with my kindle

Baked beans and veggiesBurgers and something. Dd cooking.
haven't had hash in ages, has it changed?Probably depends on the brand/timing.hash is not crisping - the potatoes are still as white as 30 minutes agohaven't had hash in ages, has it changed?
You can get away with + or - six months, each year.You can get away with + or - 10 minutes or so.
the meat crisped without a problem, only the potatoes didn't play niceProbably depends on the brand/timing.
The only reasons I can think of that it wouldn't crisp are
A) Too much water in the mix <-- probable, have to drive it all off so it will get hot enough, otherwise it is 212 F until the surface water is gone.
B) Not enough heat (unlikely) for the Maillard reaction to happen.
Maybe extra water in the mix to save $$$$, beef prices are high.