The Crock Pot or Slow Cooker is one of the best things to have in your kitchen. Not only does it save you a lot of time, but it also is so easy to use. Slow cookers are great for beginning cooks to advanced cooks. All you have to do is fill it up and turn it on. Here are some tips on using slow cookers that everyone needs to know!
1. High on most slow cooker is approximately 300 degrees F. Low is approximately 200 degrees F.
2. One hour on high equals about 2 to 2 1/2 hours on low
3. When using your crock pot... DON'T PEEK! It takes about 15 to 20 minutes for the crock pot to regain lost steam and return to the right temperature.
4. Browning the meat, onions, and veggies before putting them in the cooker improves their flavor. This extra step can be skipped in most recipes. - The flavor will still taste good either way.
5. Whole or leaf herbs gain flavor in the crock pot. Ground seasonings lose flavor. Add ground seasoning during the last hour and season to taste right before serving.
6. Slow Cookers work wonders for a side dish! One of my favorites are baked potatoes. Just fill the slow cooker with cleaned potatoes, place the lid on and cook all day until done. Peel them after they are cooked. You could use them for a potato salad or even just baked potatoes.
7. Liquids don't boil down in a slow cooker. At the end of the cooking time, remove the cover, set the dial on High and allow the liquid to evaporate if the dish is soupier than you want
8. Less tender, and less expensive cuts of meat are better suited for slow cooking. When cooked on low for 6 to 8 hours makes the meat is much more tender compared to cooking on High for 3 to 4 hours.
9. Cooking with your crock pot is a great was to keep your house cool in the summer. My favorite part of cooking with the slow cooker is that it makes your house smell amazing all day long!
10. Using Crock Pot Liners make for a super easy clean up and it doesn't effect the cooking of your crock pot. You can find these liners at most grocery stores. If you don't have any liners, cooking spray will also make clean up easier.
11. Foods cooked on the bottom of the slow cooker are cooked faster than those on top. This also makes the food on the bottom more tender. I usually put my meat and veggies in first unless the recipes says otherwise.
12. Cut hard Vegetables so they are close to the same size. This way they will all cook evenly.
13. Add tender veggies during the last hour of cooking. (Tomatoes, Mushrooms, Zucchini, etc) If you add them before hand they might over cook and turn really mushy.
14. Foods in your crock pot do not cook properly if they are filled all the way to the top. When your Crock pot is 1/2 way full to 3/4 of the way full, your food will cook better. If your crock pot if less than half full, cooking time will be faster and could burn.
15. Find a Slow Cooker that works for you. There are so many kinds and brands out there. Do some research before buying one. Chances are... your friends and family have crock pots so ask them what they like.
Now that you are a pro with using the slow cooker... Try some of our favorite Slow Cooker Meals!
Thanks for some great tips :) I really must start using my slow cooker more!
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Wonderful tips Kristen! I just purchased your 25 Favorite Recipes - can't wait to try them :-) Enjoy the weekend.
ReplyDeleteAny suggestions to keep your meat from going dry when cooked in the crock pot?
ReplyDeleteI think it all depends on your meal that you are making, how long you cook it for, and how hot you have it.
DeleteMeat is a lot more tender when I use a lower temperature and cook it for 6 to 8 hours. Hope this helps!
I love your blog! You're all so BEAUTIFUL! I tried your Brown sugar chicken. It is so delicious!
ReplyDelete~Jeneka
loveforbuttercups.com
Thanks for these tips! I've been becoming close friends with my crockpot over the last year, but didn't know some of these things.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! However, I've quit using the liners. I can't imagine that it's good to cook in thin plastic all day long. Good to know the approximate temperatures. I always wondered about that.
ReplyDeleteThanks for crockpot tips. I use mine year round but during the cooler months I like to make soups and casseroles.
ReplyDeleteI love my crock pot! It keeps my kitchen cool during the summer and when I'm worn out at the end of a long day, dinner is already done!
ReplyDeleteYee-haw for crockpots!
LOVE these tips! So simple, yet so helpful. Perfect for all the busy moms out there that use their slow-cooker more than their oven (guilty!) :D Thanks for sharing, ladies!
ReplyDeleteYou say not to peek while food is cooking, yet how then do you add vegetables at a later point in the cooking?
ReplyDeleteThat is fine to add your vegetables. That was suggesting that you don't peek constantly all day long to check on it by lifting the lid. It will take the food longer to cook because it will have to keep reheating.
DeleteI LOVE LOVE LOVE your site and recipes! I am currently cooking a pork shoulder roast in the crock pot and need it to be done in 6 hours, but the recipe calls for at least 8 on low. I know at some point, I will need to switch it to HI to get it done, so should it be HI first, then switch to LO after a few hours, or LO first and switch to HI for the last few hours?
ReplyDeleteI don't know which would be better. Your meat will be tender when you are able to do it on low for a longer amount of time. But you need to be sure your meat will be done in six hours. I've done it both ways when crunched for time. We are open to any expert advice from our blogging viewers! I would start on LO and then switch to HI. Best of luck to you! -The Six Sisters
DeleteThank you! I agree -- I am starting on Low and switching to HI. I think the meat will have a better chance at getting tender if it starts on low...
Deletehi i was wondering exactly which crock pot you use? thank you
ReplyDeleteSome of the sisters have a Rival crock pot. Some of us have Hamilton Beach. One sister has Crock Pot brand. They are all pretty good. We like the 6 or 8 quart size.
DeleteMy chicken always comes out mushy even when I do it on low for 4 hours with or without liquid... any tips?
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