Using Your Crock Pot For The First Time
If you’re getting ready to use your crock pot for the first time or you’re thinking about using a crock pot but you want to know what you’re in for, there are a few things you need to learn that will help you on your way to being a successful cook. Let’s review the top 10 things you need to know about crock pot cooking:
It’s also called slow cooking- When you purchased your new crock pot, you probably bought the Rival Crock Pot. It was also probably the only one on the shelf with that name. Other brands and off brands tend to call their crock pots “slow cookers.” It’s important to understand that there is no difference between a crock pot and a slow cooker so you can make the most of the impending hunt for recipes. Although, if you’re lucky, you probably received a book of recipes for slow cookers in the box.
If you are using an older slow cooker- If you don’t receive your first crock pot when you get married, chances are you might be using a hand-me-down from your mother or grandmother. Before you use that older model, you need to test it and make sure that it works and that it’s safe. Slow cookers should heat food to a temperature of 140 degrees within 4 hours. To test your slow cooker, you will need to fill it half full with water, cover and cook for 8 hours. Take the temperature immediately upon the lid to avoid a temperature drop. If the temperature is below 185 degrees it may be time to purchase a new crock pot. Another way to tell is the shape, color and decoration of your slow cooker. Most newer models (not rice cookers) are oval in shape and are relatively short. Older slow cookers are tall and circular. Newer models have removable stoneware, whereas older models do not. Newer models may have stainless steel heating units, smart modules for timing and modern decorations meant to fit in with your newer kitchen. Older models, on the other hand typically are brown or have bright-colored flowers painted on the heating unit—in colors such as orange, purple, and bright yellow. If you are using an older slow cooker that still works, you should be sure to check on it every hour to hour and a half. And remember, whenever you receive a used slow cooker you should be sure to test it for safety.
Overall safety- When using slow cooker recipes it is important to keep the environment around the unit safe and secure. Do not plug in next to frequently used water sources, like your kitchen sink. Avoid placing the unit too close to the edge of your counter or table—if someone walked by, or your child was able to grab the cord, there could be a disaster. Do place paper towels or fabric items near the heating unit. These general safety tips do not mean that slow cooking isn’t safe. Slow cooking is much safer than cooking on the grill or cooking with the oven or stove overall and without the addition of outside factors. But you must be smart about cooking, whether you are using a crock pot or another method.
It’s easy!- Crock pot cooking is one of the easiest ways to make delicious meals and slow cooker desserts, unless you’re making Jello. Slow cookers can be left to their job over the course of several hours and all you have to do is throw in the ingredients and turn it down to warm about an hour before you want to eat. If you have a smart cooker, you can even eliminate the need to come back to the unit to turn it down to warm. In general, slow cookers can be left alone for hours at a time, unless you are making a recipe that requires later additions like flame-topped cheesecake brownies and macaroni and cheese.
It saves time- Not only does slow cooking save you tons of time on the day of the meal but it can also save you time later in the month and the year. Slow cooking is one of the best ways to cook large amounts of food that will be eaten over time, like soups and stews. Most crock pot soup recipes can be cooked, chilled and then frozen for a period of up to six months or longer, depending on the recipe. If you use a weekend and a 10 quart crock pot, you could store enough soup for several family meals. Once it’s made and frozen, all you have to do is take it out of the freezer, defrost, heat and serve. And the best part is, you can reheat your pre-cooked soup in your slow cooker or you can heat it over the stove or in the microwave and it will still taste as great as the day you made it. And you’ll have spent less than an hour making amazing homemade soups that your family can enjoy over and over again.
It’s healthy- Slow cooking is one of the best methods of cooking because it doesn’t have to involve grease, a lot of butter, cooking sprays, etc. You have more control over what goes into your meals because slow cooking has more options than traditional cooking. In traditional cooking, the substitutes are frequently as bad for you as the original ingredients. In slow cooking you can easily substitute any ingredient you don’t like. If you freeze and reuse your slow cooker meals you can be sure that even if you hear the microwave ding, your family is still eating healthy, fresh, fulfilling meals.
Remember, slow cooking can be easier and even healthier than any other type of cooking as long as you prepare yourself for what’s ahead and make sure that you’re using a safe unit and great-tasting recipes. And don’t forget, it’s time for your family instead of your stove. and a slow cooker so you can make the most of the impending hunt for recipes. Although, if you’re lucky, you probably received a book of recipes for slow cookers in the box.
If you are using an older slow cooker- If you don’t receive your first crock pot when you get married, chances are you might be using a hand-me-down from your mother or grandmother. Before you use that older model, you need to test it and make sure that it works and that it’s safe. Slow cookers should heat food to a temperature of 140 degrees within 4 hours. To test your slow cooker, you will need to fill it half full with water, cover and cook for 8 hours. Take the temperature immediately upon the lid to avoid a temperature drop. If the temperature is below 185 degrees it may be time to purchase a new crock pot. Another way to tell is the shape, color and decoration of your slow cooker. Most newer models (not rice cookers) are oval in shape and are relatively short. Older slow cookers are tall and circular. Newer models have removable stoneware, whereas older models do not. Newer models may have stainless steel heating units, smart modules for timing and modern decorations meant to fit in with your newer kitchen. Older models, on the other hand typically are brown or have bright-colored flowers painted on the heating unit—in colors such as orange, purple, and bright yellow. If you are using an older slow cooker that still works, you should be sure to check on it every hour to hour and a half. And remember, whenever you receive a used slow cooker you should be sure to test it for safety.
Overall safety- When using slow cooker recipes it is important to keep the environment around the unit safe and secure. Do not plug in next to frequently used water sources, like your kitchen sink. Avoid placing the unit too close to the edge of your counter or table—if someone walked by, or your child was able to grab the cord, there could be a disaster. Do place paper towels or fabric items near the heating unit. These general safety tips do not mean that slow cooking isn’t safe. Slow cooking is much safer than cooking on the grill or cooking with the oven or stove overall and without the addition of outside factors. But you must be smart about cooking, whether you are using a crock pot or another method.
It’s easy!- Crock pot cooking is one of the easiest ways to make delicious meals and slow cooker desserts, unless you’re making Jello. Slow cookers can be left to their job over the course of several hours and all you have to do is throw in the ingredients and turn it down to warm about an hour before you want to eat. If you have a smart cooker, you can even eliminate the need to come back to the unit to turn it down to warm. In general, slow cookers can be left alone for hours at a time, unless you are making a recipe that requires later additions like flame-topped cheesecake brownies and macaroni and cheese.
It saves time- Not only does slow cooking save you tons of time on the day of the meal but it can also save you time later in the month and the year. Slow cooking is one of the best ways to cook large amounts of food that will be eaten over time, like soups and stews. Most crock pot soup recipes can be cooked, chilled and then frozen for a period of up to six months or longer, depending on the recipe. If you use a weekend and a 10 quart crock pot, you could store enough soup for several family meals. Once it’s made and frozen, all you have to do is take it out of the freezer, defrost, heat and serve. And the best part is, you can reheat your pre-cooked soup in your slow cooker or you can heat it over the stove or in the microwave and it will still taste as great as the day you made it. And you’ll have spent less than an hour making amazing homemade soups that your family can enjoy over and over again.
It’s healthy- Slow cooking is one of the best methods of cooking because it doesn’t have to involve grease, a lot of butter, cooking sprays, etc. You have more control over what goes into your meals because slow cooking has more options than traditional cooking. In traditional cooking, the substitutes are frequently as bad for you as the original ingredients. In slow cooking you can easily substitute any ingredient you don’t like. If you freeze and reuse your slow cooker meals you can be sure that even if you hear the microwave ding, your family is still eating healthy, fresh, fulfilling meals.
Remember, slow cooking can be easier and even healthier than any other type of cooking as long as you prepare yourself for what’s ahead and make sure that you’re using a safe unit and great-tasting recipes. And don’t forget, it’s time for your family instead of your stove.
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