| Although I have never had a bad experience | | | | the rest of the day. If it is not possible, |
| with my crockpot (and I'm sure you won't | | | | the Food Safety and Inspection Service says |
| either), there are a few safety measures you | | | | it is still safe to cook foods on low for the |
| need to follow to ensure food safety. Some | | | | entire time, since the temperatures stay hot |
| of them are pretty basic and common sense and | | | | enough for long enough to prevent any |
| you are probably doing them already. But it | | | | bacterial growth on the food.If you are away |
| never hurts to go over them and to just | | | | during the entire slow-cooking process and |
| continue to be aware of the importance proper | | | | you know that there has been a power outage, |
| food handling and preparation | | | | don't take any chances. Throw the food out. |
| techniques.Always start clean, a clean | | | | Although it may look done, it could also be |
| cooker, clean utensils, a clean work area. | | | | unsafe for consumption. You can know if |
| And wash your hands before and during food | | | | there was a power outage by the time |
| preparation.Be sure to handle ingredients | | | | flashing on your other appliances such as |
| carefully. Since slow cookers can take a | | | | microwave or VCR.If you are home during a |
| while to get to temperatures hot enough to | | | | power outage, complete the cooking another |
| kill off bacteria, it is imperative to keep | | | | way -gas stove, etc.A food thermometer can be |
| the ingredients constantly refrigerated prior | | | | used to test for 'doneness' on your meat and |
| to food preparation. Remember that bacteria | | | | poultry to make sure they have reached a safe |
| multiply on food quickly at room | | | | internal temperature: |
| temperature. Therefore perishable foods | | | | |
| should remain refrigerated until you need | | | | Poultry - 170 deg for chicken breast |
| them.Defrost your meats and poultry prior to | | | | - 180 deg for chicken thigh |
| putting them in your slow cooker. This helps | | | | |
| the crockpot achieve proper cooking | | | | Ground Meat- 160 deg |
| temperature faster, eliminating the | | | | |
| possibility of bacteria growth on your | | | | Roasts -145 degrees (medium rare) |
| food.Cutting food into smaller chunks helps | | | | -160 degrees (medium) -170 degrees |
| to ensure that the food is cooked thoroughly. | | | | (well done)Casseroles -165 degrees |
| For example, don't cook large pieces of meat | | | | |
| such as a whole chicken in the slow cooker. | | | | Stuffing - 165 degrees |
| Doing this increases the opportunity for | | | | |
| bacterial growth because it takes a longer | | | | Soups - 165 degreesAnd when it comes to |
| time to get to proper cooking temperature. | | | | leftovers, make sure you refrigerate them |
| Meats and vegetables can be cut up in advance | | | | within two hours after cooking is finished. |
| but make sure you store them separately in | | | | Store them in shallow covered containers.It |
| covered containers.Keep the lid on. Experts | | | | is not recommended that you use a slow cooker |
| say that removing the lid can add 20 minutes | | | | to reheat these leftovers.These tips should |
| to the cooking time! This is because it | | | | give you the added confidence that any food |
| takes that long to re-generate the lost heat | | | | you have prepared is safe and hopefully |
| and steam. Remove it only to stir the food or | | | | delicious!Copyright 2006 Tony BuelTony has |
| check for doneness.Since vegetables cook | | | | been working diligently to provide free |
| slower than meat, place the vegetables on the | | | | cooking related resources for the chef in all |
| bottom. Then add the meat and cover the food | | | | of us. His website is full of Easy Crockpot |
| with your broth, sauce, or water.If | | | | Recipes and is a labor of love which provides |
| possible, set the slow cooker setting on high | | | | delicious and easy to make crockpot recipes |
| for the first hour of cooking to get the food | | | | as well as related tips and advice. Stop by |
| warmed up quickly. Then switch it to low for | | | | any time! |