Tips for using a slow cooker
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Lisa Peterson, MS
U of I
Extension: Nutrition & Wellness
Do you have an old slow cooker in the basement collecting dust? When the weather gets cool, that’s a popular time of year to dust it off and drag it upstairs! A slow cooker is commonly known by the brand name, Crockpot™ who introduced the product in the 1970s. Read a few tips for making the most of your slow cooker.
Test to see if your slow cooker still works. Unsure if the old, slow cooker is still effective? There’s a way to check! First, fill a cold slow cooker with half to two-thirds full of water, put the lid on it, and turn the dial to “LOW” for eight hours. After eight hours of the slow cooker on low, if the water temperature reads below 185°F, it’s time to replace the appliance.
Avoid lifting the lid during cooking. The tight-fitted glass lid allows condensation to form and creates a water seal for a slow cooker to work correctly. This aids in the retention of flavor and heat from within the pot. Every time the lid is lifted in a slow cooker, the temperature drops 10-15 degrees, and an additional 30 minutes should be added to cooking time.
Try not to put frozen meat into a slow cooker. A slow cooker slowly cooks meat for 4 to 8 hours until it reaches a simmer point. Unfortunately, frozen meat will not reach a safe temperature fast enough, and harmful bacteria could grow. The harmful bacteria, known as pathogens, you can’t see, smell, or taste, so you’d never know they were present.
Slow cookers are useful all year round, and it is easy to create a delicious meal during a busy week! Although soups are one of the most popular uses for a slow cooker, they can also be used to break down lean meat, for hot beverages, as a rice cooker, or keep hot food hot after it is cooked. Always pre-heat a slow cooker if you are using it for hot holding food, and do not reheat leftovers in the slow cooker itself. Find cooking tips using different appliances and more at extension.illinois.edu/food or call your local extension office.
