Hot Tips On How To Make The Most Of Your Slow Cooker Crockpot!

A slow cooker crockpot is not just a great cooking appliance; it's perfect for the beginner cook as well. It is the perfect way to make dishes like macaroni and cheese extra rich and sumptuous. They are also great for making dishes like pot roast, chicken and dumplings and a host of other delicious slow cooker crockpot recipes. However, it's important to know a little bit about how these crockpots work and how to get the most out of them.

Before You Buy

Before you buy your crockpot, you'll need to consider what you'll be using it for. Remember that these cookers should only be filled about half-way or 2/3rds full when cooking. This will affect the amount of food you can actually cook in a crockpot. Small slow cookers may be ideal if you're just cooking for two.

However, if you plan on using your crockpot for big dinners like Thanksgiving or Christmas, you may want to buy something larger. Crockpots also come in different shapes and these will affect how your dish looks in the end. Another thing you should consider is what you plan on cooking in your slow cooker. For instance, chickens and large-sized roasts fit better inside an oval-shaped cooker.

A really important thing to check when buying a slow cooker crockpot is the heating element. Make sure that this element is on the bottom as well as on the sides of the cooker, for even cooking. Also make sure that the liner is removable so you can clean it easier.

If you currently have a crockpot with no liner, it's best to line it with a cooking bag before you use it. There are many different kinds of crockpots on the market today, some of which are quite advanced. Beginners should opt for simple plug-in options with just High and Low features.

Before You Cook

A slow cooker crock does work differently from conventional cooking appliances. This is why it's important to keep a few handy cooking tips in mind before you make anything. It's best to use your crockpot for the first time when you're at home. After about 4 hours of cooking on Low, test the temperature. It should be about 140 degrees F. If it isn't, you should probably get the slow cooker replaced.

For safety reasons, it is usually recommended that you cook on High for the first hour. After this, you can reduce it to Low. If you plan on putting frozen food in the slow cooker crockpot, it's best to defrost it first. If you plan on putting your cooked food in the fridge, make sure you remove it from the liner first.

When you're cooking with your slow cooker crockpot, make sure that you follow the instructions about layering. In general, vegetables should be placed on the bottom, since they do not cook as fast as meat does. Be careful about the spices and seasonings you use while cooking. Things like Tabasco sauce and cayenne pepper can become bitter if they are cooked too long.

In general, it's best to add spices during the last hour of cooking. Dairy products like cheese should generally be added during the last half hour, unless otherwise stated in the recipe. Also remember that liquids cooked in a crockpot do not evaporate away, as when cooking with an ordinary saucepan. If the recipe is not specifically for crockpot cooking, make sure that you reduce the liquid by about ½.

Buying the right kind of slow cooker crockpot can make a big difference to your slow cooker crockpot recipes. The right model and features can mean better tasting food and a longer-lasting crock pot as well.

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