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Slow Cooking Basics for Safety in the Kitchen

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How to Cook Safely in your Slow Cooker CrockPot

Slow cookers are enjoying a return of popularity .. for very good reasons.

A long cooking time lets you start the evening meal before leaving for work. Reduce the washing up to save time and water with this truly one pot cooking method.

However, before you start using a slow cooker, there are a few basic safety rules to follow.

Always begin with a clean cooker, clean utensils and a clean work area.
And wash your hands!

Safety First
Food Safety - Perishable Food
Handle Chicken Safely
Food Safety - Raw Meat
Food Safety - Frozen Meat
Use Correct Amount and Placement of Food
What to do if the Power goes out
Five Quick Tips for Slow Cooking
Set and Forget Slow Cooker
Two Smaller Slow Cookers in one
My Slow Cooking Recipes
More Slow Cooking Recipes
More Kitchen Appliances for the Happy Cook
Leave a Comment so that it can Cook Slowly

Safety First

Check the Plugs before anything else

Make sure your slow cooker is sitting on a dry, stable surface. Don't let it lean on the wall, touch the wall in any way, or let it be in contact with other items on your kitchen bench.

Before plugging in, have a good look at the plug and cord. Make sure there are no frays. Plug it firmly, and directly, into the outlet, try and avoid extension cords.

Before adding foodstuff, check the inside of the cooker. Don't use it if there are any chips, cracks or breaks.

If you plan on adding hot food to your slow cooker, make sure you prewarm the crock with some hot water.

Unplug by holding the plug in your hand and removing it firmly from the outlet. Never yank on an electric cord.

Food Safety - Perishable Food

Keep Cool until you Cook

Keep perishable foods refrigerated until preparation time.

Separate the food - if you prepare the meat and the vegetables in advance, keep them stored separately in the refrigerator.

Handle Chicken Safely

Fact Sheet - Chicken: Fact Sheet on safe handling, safe defrosting and cooking of chicken from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service

Food Safety - Raw Meat

>If you plan to be home during the first hour of cooking, turn your slow cooker to high for the first hour to quickly elevate raw meat and liquid temperatures to safe levels.

Subtract one hour from the slow cooking time you originally planned to do on low.

Most large cuts of meat require at least eight hours of cooking on low.

Always cook minced (ground) meats in a frying pan before adding them to your cooker.

Food Safety - Frozen Meat

Always thaw meat or poultry before putting it into a slow cooker.

Use whatever safe method you choose to thaw the meat.

If you're using a commercially frozen slow cooker meal, you have to prepare it according to the instructions. Don't take short cuts, it's not worth it.

If the power goes out while you're not at home throw away the food!

Use Correct Amount and Placement of Food

Don't have your slow cooker less than half full, but don't pack it up more than two-thirds full.

Put your vegetables in first. They cook more slowly than meat and poultry, so place them at the bottom, and around the sides.

Then add the meat and cover the food with liquid, like water, stock, broth, or a sauce of your choice.

Keep the lid in place, and don't take it off unless you really have to stir the food or to check if it's thoroughly cooked.

What to do if the Power goes out

Power Failure means Extra Safety Care

If the power suddenly goes out while you're not at home during the entire slow-cooking process, throw away the food!

It might appear to be cooked but the dangers of food poisoning from a half-cooked meal are far too high.

If you're at home and the power goes out, immediately finish cooking all the ingredients in some other fashion. Use the gas stove or your barbecue.

If you're at home, and if the food was completely cooked before the power went out, then it will remain safe for up to two hours in the slow cooker without any power. Make sure you keep the lid on of course :)

Five Quick Tips for Slow Cooking

Trim roasts and other large cuts of meat to fit in your slow cooker

Remove skin from poultry and trim excess fat from other meats before cooking

Put fresh root vegetables, potatoes, carrots, onions in the bottom of the pot, under the meat

Don't add Cheeses until near the end of cooking time

Don't add Fish and Seafood until near the end of cooking time

Set and Forget Slow Cooker

Hamilton Beach 33967 Set 'n Forget 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker

Amazon Price: $38.99 (as of 02/18/2012)

With a stainless steel base for easy storage and clean-up, plus separate temperature probe for large cuts of meat. Let the meal cook while you're out - this slow cooker boasts power-interrupt protection.

Two Smaller Slow Cookers in one

Crock-Pot SCRBC500-BS Duo Slow-Cooker Server, Stainless Steel

Amazon Price: (as of 02/18/2012)

I love my double slow cooker! Two stoneware removable cooking pots, each with 2-1/2-quart capacity and separate control knobs for low, high, and warm temperature settings Perfect when you're not feeding a crowd.