What Are Slow Cooker Temperature Settings?

Slow cookers offer the option of cooking and serving in the same dish.

Slow cookers offer hands-off convenience for the family chef. Being able to start dinner in the morning and then walk away without giving it much more thought is a great time saver. The heat is contained within the unit, which is an added plus for hot weather and energy conservation. Your family will marvel at the many recipes you can make in your slow cooker.

Temperature

Slow cookers generally have two heat settings: high and low. Some models have a third setting as an added feature. The low setting is used for meat and vegetable combinations that need 8 to 10 hours of cooking time. Use the high setting for cook times of 4 to 6 hours. The third setting is auto-cook. The temperature starts out on high for several hours and then switches to the low setting for the remainder of the cooking time.

Other Features

The size of the cooker should be considered depending on the number of people you cook for. Small cookers hold about 3 qt. and the larger size will hold about 6 qt. The ease of clean-up is another consideration. Look for a model from which the crock is removed and can be immersed in water for washing. Bowl shapes will vary from round to oblong, the shape is personal preference. An indicator light shows whether the cooker is on or off.

Functional

Slow cookers accommodate homemakers' busy schedules. Families can still enjoy a hot, home- cooked meal waiting for them at the end of the day. Meals can be prepared the evening before, set in the cooker in the morning and while you are away from home, the slow cooker is preparing a tasty meal.

Recipes

Slow cooking cookbooks give detailed instructions for the perfect outcome of meals. Spaghetti sauce cooked all day on low will blend the ingredients to perfection. Slow cooking meat cuts that would otherwise be considered tough will tenderize nicely in a slow cooker. The result is a tender meat that is not only tasty, but also a savings when you can select a less expensive cut over a higher-priced one.

References

• Slow Cooker Recipes: Slow Cooker Temperature Settings
• Slow Cooker Recipes: Using a Slow Cooker
• Slow Cooker Recipes: Slow Cooker Features