COOPERATIVE KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY FACT SHEET
Information about the Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Program 2020
Slow Cooker Success
Dr. Allison P. Young, Associate Extension Professor, Family and Consumer Sciences
Imagine coming home from a day of activities to the aroma of stew greeting you at the door. Using a slow cooker can make this a common occurrence. Purchasing fast food, or ordering takeout can be costly and unhealthy. Taking a few minutes to add ingredients to a slow cooker in the morning can ensure a hot balanced meal to close out a busy day. Slow cookers are a common countertop appliance. Cooks from beginner to gourmet can use a slow cooker with ease.
Advantages of a Slow Cooker for a Busy Lifestyle
A slow cooker uses less electricity than an oven.
Slow cookers are a year round appliance. Slow cookers are also a way to cook a meal in the hot summer months without heating up the house.
As a result of the long, low-temperature cooking, slow cookers help tenderize less-expensive cuts of meat.
Slow cookers usually allow one-step preparation. Placing all the ingredients in the slow cooker saves preparation time and cuts down on cleanup.
A variety of foods can be cooked in a slow cooker, including soups, stews, and casseroles.
Types of Slow Cookers
There are two types of control functions found in most slow cookers:
The basic that has a manual knob. The options include “off,” “low,” “medium” and “high” when choosing the appropriate or desired temperature.
Programmable slow cookers are high-tech and allow the user to input the exact time and temperature. Programmable slow cookers usually
have a “keep warm” feature which shifts automatically after the cooking of the food is done.
Food Safety When Using a Slow Cooker
Here are some basic safety rules to follow when using a slow cooker:
Wash your hands before, during, and after food preparation.
Always start with a clean slow cooker, utensils, and work surface.
Always thaw meat and poultry in the refrigerator before cooking in the slow cooker. This will ensure complete cooking.
Consult the instructions that came with your slow cooker for recommendations on large cuts of meat and poultry. Slow cookers are available in different sizes, so the instructions will vary. If you cannot find the instructions, you can cut the meat into smaller chunks to ensure thorough, safe cooking.