A crockpot (or slow cooker) is a must-have small appliance. Allowing you to slowly prepare a meal over the course of several hours, the device is remarkable at cooking classic recipes like chili, soup, several kinds of meat, and more. From KitchenAid and Hamilton Beach to the world-famous Crockpot brand, there are hundreds of models to choose from, each with its own suite of impressive features. Contents
When most people think of slow cooker recipes, they think of easy instructions that allow you to toss ingredients in a pot and walk away for up to eight hours. While this is partly true, your food may not come out right if you don’t follow best practices when using your crockpot. If you use your slow cooker incorrectly, your meal may turn out unappetizing, you could start a fire in your home, or you could make someone sick. Recommended Videos
Check out our collection of slow cooker dos and don’ts, which will help make your slow cooking safer and your recipes better.
Clean your pot with a non-abrasive cleaner or vinegar
Cleaning a slow cooker can be a pain. Baked-on sauce often sticks to the sides, and it’s really difficult to remove. However, tempted as you may be to take a Brillo pad to your slow cooker, try to resist the temptation. A Brillo pad will certainly remove the caked-on gunk from your pot but there’s a chance it will also scratch the protective coating on the inside of the pot. For the toughest residue, go with some Bar Keeper’s Friend. These are products specifically designed for tackling difficult stains on delicate appliances.
To properly clean your crock, soak it in hot soap and water, and then use soap or vinegar and a sponge to remove any leftover residue.
Use broth instead of water
If you use beef or chicken broth instead of water in your soups, stews, and roasts, your meat will be more flavorful than if you were to just use water. You can even use your crockpot to whip up your own batches of stock. To do so, combine leftover chicken (carcass, bones, etc.), your choice of veggies (carrots, onion, celery, etc.), and spices with a full crockpot of water. Set the cooker to its lowest setting and let it sit for eight to ten hours. Once the broth is done, you can even freeze it for later eating (or other crockpot recipes).
Mistakes Everyone Makes Using The Slow Cooker
FAQ
Can you use a slow cooker outside in the summer?
Do slow cookers get hot on the outside?
Can you use a slow cooker when not home?
Can I go out with slow cooker on?
Are slow cookers safe?
Slow cookers are incredibly convenient appliances, but they do need to be used correctly. Here are the five most important rules for using them safely. You can read more about these rules at the USDA. 1. Only use the slow cooker on a countertop or other flat, safe surface.
Can a crock pot go out while cooking?
But if possible, set the cooker to its highest setting for the first hour, then lower it to your desired temperature. Once the food reaches and remains above 165 F, it’ll stay safe as long as the cooker stays on. In the rare case that the power goes out while your food is cooking, take action.
Can you put a slow cooker in the fridge?
As with all food that gets stored in the refrigerator or freezer, leftovers from your slow cooker need to be cooled on the countertop to about room temperature before placing into the fridge or freezer for storage. Do this within two hours of finishing cooking. Do not put the hot slow-cooker insert directly into the fridge.
Where should I put my slow cooker?
My suggestion is to always use your slow cooker on a flat, heat-safe surface — like your kitchen countertop! — away from piles of loose papers or random kitchen towels, or where puddles of water might form (in other words, away from the sink or an open window).