Consumers are rediscovering the convenience of slow cookers. In families where mom and dad work long hours, using a slow cooker lets everyone enjoy a hearty, home-cooked meal. It's the ideal appliance for people who value eating dinner as a family. When you buy the right slow cooker for your family, you'll enjoy creating a variety of delicious dishes that save you time and money.
Getting Started with Slow Cookers
If you've never used a slow cooker before, you will find that it's a very versatile appliance that will save you money on groceries. Slow cookers turn inexpensive, tough cuts of meat into tender, juicy main dishes. You'll also save money by buying fresh, in season vegetables that you would normally pass up in favor of already cut frozen or canned vegetables that cook faster. You'll also eat healthier when you buy meat with less fat and fresh vegetables that are chock full of vitamins and minerals.
Slow cookers don't vary much in quality, despite prices differences. Besides finding a slow cooker that fits in well with your kitchen decor and your budget, you should judge slow cookers based on:
- Capacity - Size and shape
- Type - Programmable or not programmable
- Features - Extras like insulated bags, meat thermometers and more
Types of Slow Cookers
A programmable slow cooker has electronic controls so you can program the cooker to start and stop at specific times. Some cookers have a keep warm setting, where the slow cooker will automatically switch to warm once your meal is done. Programmable slow cookers have two advantages; they are convenient if you're gone all day and the lack of knobs makes the cooker easier to clean.
Non-programmable slow cookers can have the same features of a programmable slow cooker, such as a keep warm setting, except you'll have to manually turn the cooker on and off and change the settings. The advantages of non-programmable slow cookers include; they are less expensive and there are fewer things to go wrong when you have knobs instead of electronic buttons.
Slow Cooker Features
Slow cookers have features that add to their functionality. These include
- Large Capacity - A two-quart slow cooker is good for a single person, a six-quart cooker is more than adequate for a family of four. If you want lots of leftovers, buy an eight-quart slow cooker.
- Insulated Carrier - Ideal if you cook for potluck suppers or need to transport meals.
- Hinged Lids - Serving is easy and less messy if you can leave the lid on and open one side to remove contents.
- Extra Sturdy Handles - If you plan on moving the slow cooker for serving, heavy duty handles are essential; full slow cookers are heavy.
- Cool Touch Handles - It's difficult to carry a slow cooker with potholders on your hands.
- Temperature Probes - A temperature probe lets you know when meat reaches a safe internal temperature.
Safety Tips
While slow cookers are generally very safe appliances, food safety is an issue if your meals are not cooked properly. Keep these tips in mind to ensure your food is cooked to a safe temperature.
If you cut up your meat and vegetables ahead of time, store them separately in the refrigerator. Cut thawed meat into small pieces before cooking so the meat reaches a safe internal temperature. Never cook a whole chicken in your slow cooker unless it is specifically made for cooking a whole bird and you can verify that the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature.
Don't fill your slow cooker to the top, food may dislodge the lid and spill over. Since a tightly closed lid allows the slow cooker to heat food safely, you'll want to discard any food that was cooked without the lid firmly attached.
Don't leave cooked food in your slow cooker if it is turned off. Refrigerate leftovers promptly. The slow cooker won't stay hot enough to keep bacteria away.
Finally, remember that you can do much more with a slow cooker than making stew or chili. Most slow cookers come with a recipe book, and you'll find hundreds of ideas online from traditional cornbread stuffing to bread pudding. Next time you don't have enough burners to cook a big meal, pull out your trusty slow cooker and discover just how versatile it is.
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