Opening the front door on a cold winter evening and being greeted by the inviting smells of beef stew or chicken noodle soup wafting from a slow cooker can be a diner’s dream come true. But winter is not the only time a slow cooker is useful. In the summer, using this small electrical appliance can
avoid introducing heat from a hot oven. At any time of year, a slow cooker can make life a little more convenient because by planning ahead, you save time later. And it takes less electricity to use a slow cooker rather than an oven.
Is a slow cooker safe?
Yes, the slow cooker, a countertop electrical appliance, cooks foods slowly at a low temperature — generally between 170 °F and 280 °F. The low heat helps less expensive, leaner cuts of meat become tender and shrink less.
The direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking and steam created within the tightly-covered container combine to destroy bacteria and make the slow
cooker a safe process for cooking foods.
