I received a crockpot as a gift, but don’t know if I should use it. Does it really cook food safely?
The short answer: Yes! (When used correctly)
The explanation: As the weather cools, many begin craving more substantial, hot meals, such as stews and soups – for which slow cookers can be great options for saving time and effort. Whether you’re seeking to use a Crockpot, Instapot, or other slow cooker, following a few food safety guidelines can ensure your food is safe for your family and friends!
- It is best to thaw the meat prior to cooking, as it can take too long to get to a safe temperature otherwise.
- Large cuts of meat and poultry can be safely cooked in a slow cooker, checking the instruction booklet for size, time, and temperature guidelines.
- Adding a small amount of liquid to the pot, such as broth, water, BBQ sauce, etc., will help conduct heat while keeping the meat moist and preventing burning.
- Keep the lid on the pot, removing only when needed to stir or check for doneness, as lifting the lid will cause temperature loss and extend cooking time.
- Always confirm the food has reached a safe temperature before turning off the cooker or consuming. Some slow cookers come with temperature probes, allowing you to keep an eye on doneness without removing the lid.
- Best practice is to set the cooker to high for at least the first hour of cooking time then resetting to low or a recipe-specified setting. But it is safe to cook on low, or high, the entire time as well.
- If there is a power outage during the cook-time:
- If you are at home, finish cooking the ingredients on a gas stove, grill, or even a friend’s or family’s home, if possible.
- If you are not home, discard the food even if it appears to be done.
- Once fully cooked and removed from the pot, any food not eaten within two hours should be refrigerated or discarded.
TAG can simplify your food safety and quality practices. Contact us for information!
