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Guide to Slow Cooking
Tips for Slow Cooking
Always allow sufficient time for food to
cook. It is almost impossible to overcook
in the Slow Cooker, particularly when
using the “LOW” setting. Most recipes
can be cooked on “HIGH” or “LOW”;
however, the cooking times will
vary accordingly.
NOTE
Most recipes can be adapted easily for
the Slow Cooker by reducing the amount
of liquid by half, and increasing the
cooking time considerably.
See the following guide for suggested
cooking times and settings for your
favorite recipes:
TRADITIONAL
RECIPE TIME
SLOW COOKER
RECIPE TIME*
15-30 minutes
4-6 hours on
“LOW”
60 minutes
6-8 hours on
“LOW”
1-3 hours
8-10 hours on
“LOW”
*These cooking times are approximate.
Cooking times can vary depending on
recipe ingredients and quantities. All
food should be cooked with the Glass
Lid in place.
LIQUID AMOUNTS
When food is cooking in your Slow
Cooker, very little moisture boils away.
To compensate for this, we advise to
reduce the liquid content of traditional
recipes by half. However, if there is still
too much liquid remaining after cooking,
remove the Lid and operate the Slow
Cooker on “HIGH” for 30 - 45 minutes, or
until the excess liquid boils away.
STIRRING THE FOOD
Little or no stirring is required when
using the “LOW” setting. When using
the “HIGH” setting, stir occasionally to
ensure a more even flavor distribution.
• For best results, the Digital Slow
Cooker should be filled at
least halfway.
• Do not fill the Digital Slow Cooker
more than three-quarters full.
• Spray the inside of the Removable
Crock with cooking spray for an
easy cleanup.
• Vegetables cook slowly. Keep pieces
small to medium in size and place in
the bottom of the Removable Crock.
• Vegetables can be peeled and cut
the night before slow cooking. Cover
them and refrigerate in a separate
container. Do not place in Removable
Crock until ready to cook.
• Meats should be trimmed, browned,
or broiled before placing in the Digital
Slow Cooker to eliminate as much fat
as possible.
• Do not use frozen meat. Thaw all meat
before slow cooking.
• Brown ground meats, such as ground
beef and ground turkey, before
placing in Digital Slow Cooker to
remove excess fat and reduce the
risk of food-borne illnesses.
• Whole poultry, such as chicken and
Tips for Slow Cooking
Cleaning Your Slow Cooker
Cornish hens, should not be cooked
in Slow Cookers because safe
cooking temperatures near the bone
cannot be reached quickly enough.
•
Always ensure that all meat
products are cooked to appropriate
internal temperatures.
• Meats can be browned and/or cut
up the night before slow cooking.
Cover and refrigerate in a separate
container. Do not place in Removable
Crock until ready to cook.
• Use fresh or dried herbs as they
keep more of their flavor during long
cooking times.
• Add dairy products, such as milk
and cheese, towards the end of the
cooking time, unless your recipe
states otherwise.
• To thicken flavorful juices produced
during slow cooking, remove 1 cup of
juice from the Digital Slow Cooker.
Place in a small saucepan. Combine
1 tablespoon water and 1 tablespoon
cornstarch. Stir into saucepan. Cook
and stir over medium heat until
mixture boils. Boil and stir for 1 - 2
minutes or until slightly thickened.
Add the mixture back to the Digital
Slow Cooker.
• When cooking soups or stews, leave
a 2-inch space between the top of
the Removable Crock and the food so
that the food can come to a simmer.
If cooking a soup or stew on “HIGH”,
check its progress regularly as some
soups will reach a boil on “HIGH”.
• When removing the Glass Lid, tilt it
so that the opening faces away from
you to avoid being burnt by steam.
Always ensure the Slow Cooker is
unplugged and cool before cleaning.
IMPORTANT:
The Removable Crock will
not withstand the shock of sudden
temperature changes. To wash your
Slow Cooker right after cooking, use
hot water.
Never use cold water if the
Removable Crock is still hot.
Do not use abrasive cleansers or
metal scouring pads on any part of
the Slow Cooker, as these could
scratch the surface.
Fill the Removable Crock with warm,
soapy water to loosen any stuck-on
food. Allow to soak.
Use a cloth, sponge or rubber spatula to
scrape away the food residue. Rinse and
dry thoroughly. The Glass Lid may
be washed with warm, soapy water or
in the top rack of the dishwasher.
Wipe the outside of the Slow Cooker
Housing with a clean, damp cloth and
then wipe dry. A non-abrasive liquid
detergent may be used for stubborn
stains.
Never immerse the Slow Cooker
unit, cord, or plug in water or any
other liquid.