Slow Cooker Crock Pot

A crock pot slow cooker lets you cook food without doing anything with it. It’s ideal for busy people who have to work outside the home all day. Here are some tips on how to use a crock pot:
 
- Don’t put too much food in the crock pot slow cooker. It may not cook well if you do.
 
- Since vegetables take longer to cook than meats, it is usually advisable to put them in the crock pot first, and then meat on top. However some people really dislike soggy vegetables. So experiment.
 
- Ingredients that cook rapidly should be added last, say in the last hour.
 
- Some sauces and spices do not perform well in crock pot slow cooking. Don’t put them in too early.

- If possible, set the crock pot slow cooker to HIGH for an hour and then to LOW. This allows the crock pot to pick up the required temperature more quickly.
 
- Don’t put frozen food straight into the crock pot cooker. Take the ingredients out of the refrigerator first. Otherwise it would take too long for the slow cooker to heat it.
 
- Avoid using fatty meats. They are not only bad for you, they also cook badly in a crock pot. So stick to lean meat.
 
- Dairy products such as milk, cream and cheese may be added in the last 45-60 minutes of slow cooking.
 
- If you’re around during the cooking, don’t peek into the food too often. Every time you take the lid off, you must add some 15 minutes to the total cooking time.
 
- Eat food immediately from the crock pot, and don’t re-heat leftovers in the crock pot.
 
- Do not place a crock on a cold surface. Use a buffet table to keep liquids warm.
 
- Take food out of the crock pot liner before refrigerating it. The liner is designed to retain heat and this isn’t what you want for the food (bacteria!).
 
- Clean your crock pots thoroughly after every use. Otherwise you’ll have a taste of yesterday and today—literally—next time you cook.
 
Above all, follow the directions in the crock pot slow cooker manual very carefully. In general, you do not have to worry with crock pots. They are energy-saving and safe to use. But it is better always to be on the safe side. The manual will also give you further information on cleaning and maintaining your crock pot.

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