How long do you cook in a crock pot?

The slow cooker (or crockpot) took off in the early 1970s but has had a revival in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. It makes flavoursome meals with minimal fuss and is a lifesaver for busy people. While the cooking time is long, the preparation is minimal, so you can set the slow cooker to low and let it bubble away while you’re at work or pottering around the house. As a bonus, slow cookers help you save money, too – they work best with cheaper cuts of meat and use less energy than an oven.

What is a slow cooker 

This electrical appliance usually features a heatproof ceramic bowl inserted into a metal outer casing. Low, even heat from the side allows food inside to maintain a gentle simmer over a period of several hours, which creates tender, fragrant dishes.

Buying a slow cooker

Slow cookers are available from department stores and kitchenware outlets in sizes from 3.5L to 6.5L, and prices start from about $30 up to $150. Most slow cookers have low and high settings, while some also have a timer that clicks to “keep warm” mode when the food is ready. For safety and convenience, look for features such as a glass lid, cool-touch handles, a dishwasher-safe removable insert, and a removable cord so you can serve the food at the table straight out of the slow cooker.

How to use a slow cooker

A guide to times

In general, slow cookers are forgiving with cooking times – it’s unlikely that an hour or two over the suggested cooking time will affect the final product. For best results, keep the lid on the slow cooker during the cooking process and try not to lift it too often, otherwise steam will escape and the temperature inside the slow cooker will drop. To convert your favourite cool-weather recipes, such as stews and curries, from conventional cooking methods to the slow cooker, adjust the cooking times following the chart below and see Slow Cooker Know-How for tips.

Slow cooker know-how

For slow cooker success and good food safety, follow these tips.

Cut ingredients into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly.

Thaw meat, poultry or frozen vegetables before cooking. The cooker takes too long to reach a safe temperature for frozen food.

Prepare food the night before and store in the fridge to save time. Don’t place the cooker insert in the fridge, or it won’t heat up quickly enough to stop bacteria growing.

Fill your slow cooker between half and three-quarters full so the food cooks evenly.

Use about 1/2-1 cup less liquid than for other cooking methods. Air circulates in the cooker creating steam, which adds more liquid.

Boil dried legumes, such as lentils and beans, for 10 minutes before adding to your slow cooker, or use canned ones instead. Some contain toxins that aren’t destroyed when cooked at low temperatures.

Remove cooked food from the slow cooker before placing in the fridge. The insert is designed to retain heat, so it won’t cool quickly enough to stop bacteria growing.

Don’t reheat slow-cooked meals in your slow cooker – it takes too long to reach a safe temperature.

Frequently asked questions

How to cook silverside in a slow cooker

Bringing out the best in silverside is easy when you have a slow cooker.

METHOD

Place silverside into the bowl of a 5 litre slow-cooker. Add herbs, garlic, onion, vegetables, vinegar, water and peppercorns. Cover with lid. Turn slow-cooker on low. Cook for 8 hours or until silverside is tender. Remove silverside from cooking liquid and transfer to chopping board. Cover meat with foil. Stand 10 minutes before slicing thinly.

See corned silverside slow cooker style recipe for everything you need to know about how to cook silverside in a slow cooker.

Best slow cooker recipes:

• Slow-cooker massaman beef curry
• Slow-cooked lemon and thyme lamb shanks
• Corned silverside slow cooker style

See also:

• Healthier slow cooker recipes
• Easy slow cooker recipes
• Lamb slow cooker recipes