There is nothing better than coming home to the delicious aroma of a hot meal that is ready for you to devour. Many people have been using slow cookers for years to reduce the amount of time they spend standing in front of the stove after a long day.
The biggest question when it comes to slow cooking is whether to cook a meal on a low or high setting.
While most slow cookers have low and high-temperature options, it is better to cook your meals in a low setting. For most meals, cooking on low ensures that the food is not only cooked thoroughly but also that flavors marry together to provide you with robust seasonings.
When determining the proper temperature setting, it is important to know the differences and other factors that will make your meal just right. Keep reading to learn more about temperature options on your slow cooker.
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Slow Cooker Low Vs High
Choosing whether to set the temperature on low or high has been the source of frustration for many slow cooker enthusiasts. This is because, while cooking on high is helpful to those who are short on time, it does not compare to the advantages you gain by cooking it low and slow.
While most manufacturers design slow cookers with the ability to cook on low or high, expert users say that there are some definite advantages and disadvantages of each. Cooking on low means having the freedom to start it and leave it while setting it on high means you will have a delicious meal sooner.
Slow Cooking on Low
When it comes to preparing your dinner or other meal in a slow cooker, most experts agree that using the low setting is the best practice. Doing this allows the food to cook at a slower rate which ensures you get the best flavors and nutrients, a meal that is not overcooked, and a way to have a home-cooked meal ready and waiting for you.
Whether you are new to slow cooking or an expert, you can agree that when a meal is prepared at a temperature of about 200 degrees, the flavors are richer. Additionally, cooking at a low temperature allows the natural nutrients to remain in the food, which in turn provides you with a healthy meal.
In addition, using the lower settings on your slow cooker means that food is cooked evenly and the meat stays moist instead of drying out. It can be extremely disappointing to come home from a long day at work to realize your meal is inedible because it is dry or even burnt.
Most people will agree that after spending the day working, the last thing you want to do is cook a nutritious meal for you or your family. With the low setting on a slow cooker, you can set it in the morning and forget it until you are home.
One thing to note is that if you are running late at the end of the day, your slow cooker will continue to keep your food warm. This is because most slow cookers come equipped with a “warm” setting that will start immediately upon finishing your eight or ten-hour cycle.
Slow Cooking on High
Since the low and high settings on a slow cooker stabilize at the same temperature, the biggest difference is the time it takes to cook the meal. However, most experts agree that slow cooking on high should only be done when it is necessary or if the recipe specifically recommends it.
Many people have had to make the mad dash home on their lunch break because they forgot to start their slow cooker. They planned on making a delicious meal that was going to simmer all day but forgot the most important part: turning it on. Now they have to settle for switching it to high and hoping for the best.
It is important to keep in mind that setting a slow cooker on high means that the food will cook at a higher temperature for a shorter period. In many cases, the risk of overcooking the meal is the result of cooking at a high setting.
There are some items, however, that are recommended to cook at a higher temperature. If you are going to be home, this might be a good time to use this setting. While many favorite recipes may give you the option to slow cook on low or high settings, you will want to do some research to find out what others recommend.
As with the low setting, most slow cookers come equipped with the “warm” setting which will guarantee that you will have a hot meal when you are ready. You will need to keep in mind that while the warm setting is at a lower temperature, the food may continue to cook. There is a slight risk of overcooking or even burning the meal if left too long.
How Long Should You Slow Cook On High?
When slow cooking on high, it takes about four hours to reach the peak temperature of more than 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Because of this, your meal should slow cook on high between four and six hours maximum.
As the slow cooking process happens, the temperature usually rises to about 300 degrees Fahrenheit when it is on the high setting. Although many people think this higher temperature will save them time, sometimes it can be a disaster waiting to happen.
If you choose to slow cook on high, you will want to remember that the maximum time is about six hours. This may not be the setting you want to choose if you are out of the house longer than that.
How Long Should You Slow Cook On Low?
If you choose to slow cook your meal on low, it will take between eight to ten hours for it to finish. This is because the optimum temperature of around 200 degrees when the slow cooker is on low takes about eight hours.
Many slow cooker enthusiasts suggest that you follow the recipe time and temperature recommendations exactly as they are written for the best result. For most people, this means the difference between a meal full of delicious flavors and a meal that ends up bland.
Slow cooking on low works great for those who are busy professionals who work long hours in or out of the house. Being able to provide a nutritious meal despite the long hours is why many people invest in a slow cooker in the first place.
Can You Adjust a Slow Cooker’s Temperature While Cooking?
Although you can adjust a slow cooker’s temperature while cooking, it is not recommended. This is because, as many experts agree, doing so can affect the outcome of the meal you are preparing.
It may be important to note that since both low and high settings have the same peak temperature, the only difference is the time it takes for each to cook thoroughly. Because of this, when you adjust the temperature midway between, you run the risk of the meal being ruined.
If you choose to make adjustments to the slow cooker, you will need to also adjust the timing of when the meal may finish. In many cases, this is a guessing game that you may not always win. As with any cooking process, sometimes experimenting is the only way to learn what an appliance is capable of doing.
The timing on a slow cooker can be converted pretty easily if you keep in mind that an hour on high is the same as two or two and a half hours on low. You can find many conversion tables online that will make this process much easier.
Are All Slow Cookers the Same Temperature?
Most slow cookers have the same temperature range, which falls between 190℉ and 300℉. Depending on the manufacturer, the exact cooking temperatures can fluctuate somewhere in between the range.
As with any appliance, there will always be some slight differences from manufacturer to manufacturer. Many of these changes are the result of wanting to stay competitive. Some differences include the design, the time and temperature controls, and even the size of the slow cooker.
When it comes to the temperature controls, most manufacturers keep it simple with the options for high at four to six hours or low for eight to ten hours. The reason for this is because most recipes that exist already call for one of these settings.
The bottom line is that choosing whether to slow cook on low or high is up to the individual to decide. There are definitely some advantages and disadvantages to each, however, if you want to ensure your meal is prepared accurately and safely then you will want to follow the recipe exactly as it is written. In most cases, this means going with the low and slow method of slow cooking.