Pressure Cooker 101 – Suggestions For Safe And Proper Use

Article by Oscar Hildersen

Are you scared of using a pressure cooker as a consequence of stories of spaghetti sauce getting splattered throughout the ceiling? Well, incidents like those only occur once the pot is not utilized appropriately. To make the most out of pressure cookers, listed below are some health and safety ideas for you:

Be wary of frothy foods

More than anything, it is advisable to watch the building pressure inside the pressure cooker. This can be the key to safe use and proper cook. Nevertheless, there are specific foods than can trigger the pressure to rapidly rise beyond acceptable levels. These are typically foods that form froths when cooking. Examples consist of beans, apples, oatmeal, and barley. If possible, steer clear of cooking these ingredients in a pressure cooker. In case you should, fill the pot up to 1 thirds or half only.

Do not use it for frying

Also, pressure cookers usually are not designed for frying. When you must fry, you will find other equipments for that. The fact is, it is regarded as dangerous and risky to fry using a pressure cooker. In some cases although, you might require to add some oil while pressure cooking. On the other hand, the amount of oil should be kept to bare minimum.

Always maintain a timer around

Some present day pressure cookers have built-in timers. This will help you focus on what you happen to be cooking. However in case your unit isn’t going to have one, you’d do well to purchase a different timer. Generally remember that correct timing is important to pressure cooking.

Keep the cover open when not being used

Chances are you’ll think that it really is far more appropriate to store your pressure cooker with the cover on but this may have an impact on the top quality of the foods you will cook. For instance, keeping the cover on will trap undesirable flavors and aroma into the pot. This can get mixed with the next you’re going to cook making use of the identical pot.

Keep put during cooking time

While pressure cooking, nearly anything can happen whenever. Pressure could construct up beyond safe levels, froths may develop, and the vent tube might get clogged by the food. Thus, it really is necessary which you keep watch of the pot whilst cooking. This can be crucial both safety and food quality factors. When you need to leave your home for an extended duration of timed, ensure that someone will keep watch of the pot in your stead.

Upgrade to newer pressure cookers

Generally, more recent units of pressure cookers are safer to use since they have automated pressure control and pressure release functions. Some programmable pots will maintain the proper pressure without your intervention. This is unlike older pots that could require your input every other then. In fact, this really is not to say that you can just leave the pot and allow it to go do the rest.

Acquaint oneself with your unit

You might have owned a pressure cooker just before and you might already know everything there’s to know about that certain unit. But when you acquire a brand new 1, you can’t assume which you also know about that new 1. Each and every one is built differently and operated differently. Take time to read through the user manual for appropriate use and safety measures.

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Why I Finally Bought a Kuhn Rikon Pressure Cooker?

A couple of years ago I wouldn’t even have considered buying a pressure cooker. I thought it was a device from the past nobody was using anymore. The other thing was I was kind of afraid to use one because of all those stories they were a potential danger. Then, I read an article about pressure cooking where it was stated that you can save up to 2/3 of the time employed with traditional cooking methods. And I’m all about saving time because I’m a full-time working mom of two small kids who is always struggling to find a couple of more minutes. Then my sister bought one and she was enthusiastic. So, I decided to borrow hers for a few days just to see how it was going to work for me. Guess what, after three days I was hooked on.

I did a thorough research on the internet and in my favorite cookware store in order to find a high quality pressure cooker for my family. And I found my winner: the Kuhn Rikon Duromatic top pressure cooker.

Why I decided to buy a Kuhn Rikon?

It’s safe to use: For me safety is the most important thing and I was worried about all those pressure cooker explosions from the past. This pressure cooker is super safe. It has a special lid that locks automatically and it won’t open under pressure. To avoid pressure getting too high the cooker has five safety pressure releases.
It’s fast: with this cooker your dishes cook in 2/3 less time than with traditional cooking methods. I cook my rice in just 5 minutes and my beef stew in 20. Can you imagine that! It really saves a lot of time (and energy too).
It’s made with superior materials: the Kuhn Rikon cookers are made with a special material, a sandwich of stainless steel and aluminum. The aluminum is in the center of the sandwich, so it doesn’t come in contact with the food and the stainless steel is on the outside. These two materials are a great combination. Aluminum is an excellent heat conductor and it ensures even cooking while stainless steel is very durable and it’s non reactive to food.
It’s very easy to use: the Kuhn Rikon cooker has a precision valve that is very easy to read so you will know exactly when the right pressure is reached. The cooker has two settings for pressure release: slow and quick. You just turn the knob and release the pressure.

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Programmable Crock Pot: The Following Is What Everyone Needs To Know

Article by Dicky Betz

Are you currently considering the purchase of a programmable crock pot?

Are you searching for a way to lessen your time spent slaving over a hot stove?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you’ll want to consider the following information.

Here are 4 vital tips that you need to know before you buy a programmable crock pot.

Programmable Crock Pot Tip #1: The Background

Crock pots generally, and a programmable crock pot in particular have become a must-have machine for any contemporary kitchen. Working mothers worldwide have come to rely on these little marvels to help them make a home cooked meal that the whole family can enjoy. The meal preparations are taken care of in the morning before setting off to work or school. The food will be set to cook in a programmable crock pot during the day and will be ready to serve by supper time. A programmable crock pot is ideal for anybody who would like to save their time on food preparation and yet manage to serve delicious food to their family.

Programmable Crock Pot Tip #2: Large Crock Pots or Small Crock Pots

As you may expect, a programmable crock pot comes in a number of sizes. An average family of four will probably be pleased with a five-quart crock pot. Six quart or seven quart crock pots are targeted for larger families, or should you have a number of teenagers to feed.

Small crock pots, sometimes known as mini crock pots are typically 4 quarts in size and are targeted with regard to singles or smaller families. In addition these scaled-down units are very effective for sauces, dips, or side dishes.

Programmable Crock Pot Tip #3: Programmable Features

The Programmable crock pot has made quite an impact on the overall slow cooker market. Up to the 1990′s, slow cookers offered only a high and low setting, which really constrained the creativity of the cook. Nowadays the present day crock pots are programmable, which offers more flexibility and better opportunity to produce a dinner masterpiece.

They usually use a touch pad that offers a variety of options, typically four, six, eight, or ten hours. As soon as the unit is programmed, and the fixed time has elapsed, the programmable crock pot switches to a warm setting. This feature becomes important on those occasions when the cook is late, or otherwise forgets to switch the temperature down manually. With a programmable crock pot you don’t have to worry about a fire hazard or an over-cooked dinner.

Programmable Crock Pot Tip #4: Other Features

A lot of people find the cleaning up portion of the family meal to be extreme drudgery. If you’re one of these people who do not enjoy washing the dishes, you’ll love the easily-removed lining.

Additionally, you might want to consider a model that offers several crocks. These convenient pots have 2 or 3 small crocks in one programmable crock pot unit. This helpful tool could be well suited for preparing stews, desserts, soups, etc. for a significant dinner or possibly a family get together. One more advantage is the detachable interior pot, that is removable and be used as a serving dish with no need to shift the contents into a separate serving bowl.

Conclusion:

The programmable crock pot could be a handy kitchen device for new mothers, working parents,and anybody else that has better things to do than to slave over a hot stove!

The Modern Electric Pressure Cooker Can Save You Time In The Kitchen

Article by Dana Morgan

Folks that were around in the sixties surely have heard a tale about someone whose pressure cooker exploded and sent food around the new kitchen. Those days are gone. If you were to take the many kitchen equipment from the 1960′s, the pressure cooker would definitely be the one that has had by far the most upgrades.

We’re currently seeing the 3rd generation of the electric pressure cooker that features programmable options. The earliest electric pressure cooker was initially patented in 1991. So ever since that time, you’ll find lots of innovations created. Now, if your lid isn’t fully locked on it doesn’t start to build pressure eliminating the chance of potentially exploding. An electric cooker features 3 essential pieces. There is a top, the inner pot and the housing unit.

There are several different companies that produce the pressure cooker. A Cuisinart cooker is very much liked by many individuals. Their particular cooker is known for its safety measures together with all of the programmable controls such as browning, simmering and keeping warm. It has got an internal pot and features a six quart total capacity. It is sold at a number of retailers and on the web.

Deni produces a lovely little 2 quart pressure cooker. This is a great choice whenever there are only one or two people to cook dinner for, but even could be used for a group of four. A nice element about this one is the fact that you have 5 pre-specified selections. There is no guess work at all, everything is already set up. Simply place the food inside and press a button. The preset programmable choices are for rice, poultry, soup, vegetables, and beef.

Preparing rice or dried beans using a pressure cooker is simple. And the your time saving can be impressive. But you don’t have to stop there. There are several recipes you can cook in a fraction of the time it’ll take with conventional cooking methods.

Have you thought about pork chops together with potatoes and gravy? It is very simple and you only need a cooker plus a sauce pan. When you’re ready you will only have to cook the pork chops pressurized approximately Ten minutes. Imagine the length of time that can help save. The outcome is a tasty supper everyone will like.

Perhaps you are a corned beef and cabbage fan. Using a pressure cooker it’s going to generally take a person around 15 minutes to put together and cooking time is roughly two hours. If you have ever prepared corned beef and cabbage the old fashioned way you appreciate what a time saver using one will be.

You will find lots of flavorful dishes to pick from. It’ll be simple for you to offer fantastic meals everyday. You’ll find additional popular recipes available for example chicken cacciatore, pulled pork or maybe beef stew. It is time you begin fixing your favorite recipes and save time when using the pressure cooker.

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Reviews of Russell Hobbs, Fagor Classic and Mirro Pressure Cookers

Article by Natalia Harrison

There are several top brands of pressure cookers, and while the end result of using a cooker may be the same in your eyes – the tools you use to get there will determine how great the outcome (tastes)! We’ve gathered reviews of some of the more popular brands to help you figure out which is the best for you!

Russell Hobbs: Russell Hobbs may not be a name you are familiar with when it comes to American small kitchen appliances, they are based in Britain but do surprisingly well amongst U.S. consumers. The Russell Hobbs 8 Quart pressure cooker is the most popular for users. It is an electric model with programmable controls, a built-in timer and thermostat. It is made from a non stick material that allows the pot to heat relatively quickly and evenly as well. Users report that it is good quality and easy to clean. Most modern pressure cookers will have safety features that won’t allow you to unlock the lid if it is under pressure, the Russell Hobbs includes that as well as a two redundant safety valves. The price point for the 8 quart model is roughly two hundred dollars and based on consumer reviews, it is worth every penny. Although most people usually opt out of electric models, the Hobbs system is the exception to the rule. The only negative was the lack of accessories and some consumer frustration with depressurizing.

Fagor Classic Pressure Cooker: The Fagor classic is a stove top model made from stainless steel. It has a thich gauge stainless steel construction with a thick aluminum bottom. The aluminum bottom is called a thermal diffuser plate that allows for even heat distribution. There is a heavy gasket cover as well as a safety valve that releases pressured downward if the steam vent becomes clogged. The jiggler valve is very unique as it helps to regulate and control that internal pressure. It is easy to clean and the manual features a lot of recipes. You can find this classic cooker in 4,6,8 and ten quart sizes. The Fagor model does exactly what you want it to do – cook great meals. If you’re looking for something with a ton of bells and whistles, Fagor isn’t for you. The only negative for some consumers was the price tag – one of these cookers will run you nearly two hundred dollars. However, with proper care and maintenance, it may be the only pressure cooker that you ever need.

Mirro Pressure Cooker: The popular Mirro 8 qt pressure cooker is a full aluminum stove top cooker, and while it’s price point makes it very popular (you can purchase it for under $ 50) it has received mixed reviews from consumers. According to reviews, the construction of the product makes it difficult to clamp down the lid. Others report that it is easy to use and they enjoy it’s simplistic functionality. Mirro products are generally good, but this particular model may be more on the average size. Pressure cookers can really be a lifesaver for the busy family, they will also help save you a ton of money. For more information on the best pressure cookers, please visit us today at http://www.AmericanPressureCooker.com

Stainless-steel Vs Aluminum Pressure Cookers

Article by Annis1d Walgren

Certainly one of definitely the things you can do will be to make. I’ve discovered we appreciate with them since they’re quickly and perhaps they are trusted plus they prepare great meal once you know how to use them proper. Primary, the shorter response is that this actually depends upon a few things. In case you are cooking alone or even for a smaller family, otherwise you will not plan on making use of it commonly then chances are you have no need for something very big. Maybe among the list of smaller sized Two quart as well as 4 quart versions will likely be okay for your self or perhaps the occasional requirement of single. Simply review these and see whether or not it fits in range as to what you require, and when anything else comes into place and then that might be this pressure cooker to suit your needs. It will also become a victim of the occasional ding as well as indent. Consequently, chances are you’ll save some money, nevertheless they won’t be as durable as being the stainless model. The following choice mostly depends upon finances and exactly how extended the simple truth is your self using it. Some people use them commercially canning. This goes back in the earlier issue connected with volume. All those are simply a few of the causes that I can put together about what you must seek out when you shop close to first for your self or for your current and your loved ones. Purchasing one can possibly end up being an investment simply because might be expensive. For anyone who is enthusiastic about working out trim expenses on the actual http://electricpressurecookerreviews.net/ i quickly would suggest an individual examine the Ideal Pressure cookers Evaluations web site to understand more about the many various models and types of pressure cookers available on the market right now.Well, gatherings such as these only happen if your marijuana is not used effectively. Look out for frothy foods. This can be a critical for protected apply and suitable prepare food. They are meals in which form froths if cooking. When possible, steer clear of preparing food these elements within a pot. Avoid that intended for cooking. Additionally, pressure cookers are usually not designed for frying. Now and again nevertheless, you may want to add some fat though strain preparing. A few contemporary Electric Pressure Cooker Reviews get built-in timers. This can help you keep an eye on what you are preparing. Always remember that accurate right time is crucial for you to pressure preparing food. You could think that it must be right to hold a person’s pressure cooker together with the take care of for nonetheless this will have an impact on the products the produce you’ll cook. Live there through cooking. Demand could build up above protected stages, froths might grow, as well as vent out tv may get blocked with the food. For just about any equally safety as well as foods top quality motives. Update to newer pressure cookers. Generally, more recent systems connected with pressure cookers will be best to apply simply because have automated pressure regulate and also pressure relieve capabilities. This is certainly not like more mature planting pots that’ll require ones input each alternate in that case. Get to know a person’s device. Make the time to read through you guide book with regard to correct work with as well as security precautions.

Save Money – The Crock Pot Way

Article by Lisa “The Crock Cook”

Saving money – is something we would all like to do. Whether you are struggling to manage day to day or earning a six figure salary, saving is something we all think about.There is one thing we can all save on. The one thing we all do, every day, several times a day.We all… Eat. And food these days can be so expensive. It is quite easy to go to the grocers and spend your entire weeks pay just on food. Meat especially can put a hole in anyone’s budget. After a long day at work, the last thing you want is to spend the rest of the day in the kitchen preparing dinner. So the quick option is often just to fry or grill up some steak. But this is expensive. And frying those cheaper cuts of meat – ugh! You have heard the old saying ‘tough as old boots’. They end up so tough, that even if you do manage to eat them; you will be lucky not to chip a tooth or dislocate a jaw; both of which cost even more.How about if you could save money on your food bill and save hours in the kitchen at the same time?Well the solution for you is… the Crock Pot.It allows you to turn those cheap meat cuts into not only edible, but absolutely delicious meals. And, does it all, while you are at work.This is not some new gimmicky thing you see in info-commercials on late night television. This is a real kitchen appliance that has been around since the early 1970′s.It uses low heat and a slow cooking method which tenderizes the meat. Just put the vegetables and meat in the pot in the morning on the way to work and come home to the delightful aroma of dinner ready in the evening.Save money – the cheapest meat cuts are the best ones to use, they are full of flavor and appreciate the long cooking time. Happy Crock CookingLisa – “The Crock Cook”www.a-crock-cook.comCrock Pot Recipes and everything else Crock Pot.*************************************************Webmasters – Please feel free to add this article to your site.Just remember to ensure the links remain live and static back to A Crock Cook.Regards Lisa*************************************************

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Kuhn Rikon Pressure Cooker 3916 Duromatic Top 5-Quart Review

Article by Ashley Gunn

Cooking with a pressure cooker is becoming more and more popular in household around the country, especially since the recession took hold a couple of years ago. Consumers are now looking for more ways to conserve energy and more importantly cut down on bills. The beauty of a pressure cooker is that it will save you money by cutting down on the cooking time of food by upto 70% in many cases and cooking in this manner also helps the food retain all of it’s natural minerals,vitamins and goodness that can be eradicated when cooking in the traditional way.

The Kuhn Rikon Pressure Cooker constructed from the finest 18/10 stainless steel. In order to provide quick and even heating there is also a solid aluminum core at the base. Simple to use, even a beginner can start knocking out mouth watering dishes thanks to the easy to follow instructions and included recipes to get you going. Once the food is in and the liquid added the lid automatically locks which will provide an air tight seal and prevent opening during cooking.

A new feature is the spring loaded valve that tells you immediately whether the correct cooking pressure has been reached and when the cooking is complete. You can tell with just a quick look. To release the pressure it’s as easy as turning a knob. One aspect you will notice over the older models if you have or do own one is how quiet it is when cooking. No hissing to be heard anywhere and to ensure your safety the Kuhn Rikon Duromatic Top 5-Quart is fitted with not 1, not 2 but 5 pressure relief valves. It’s also easy to clean and dishwasher safe if you have one, plus the Kuhn Rikon Pressure Cooker is covered by a 10-year warranty on workmanship and materials, and will additionally guarantee that you will be able to source any spare parts for 15 years.

Kuhn Rikon Pressure Cooker Product Features

Save upto 2/3 of your cooking time

Made from strong 18/10 stainless steel

Incorporates a solid aluminum core in base which makes for even and fast cooking

Improved system that is safer and quieter

Five pressure relief valves and a spring loaded precision valve

Swiss made

Safe to use in a dishwasher

Come with a 10-year warranty

Kuhn Rikon Best Pressure Cooker Reviews

Scores 4.5 stars out of 5

We searched thoroughly and there are quite a few reviews to be found online talking about this pressure cooker. One reviewer says: We own a number of Kuhn Rikon models which are used almost every day, in fact it’s the main cooker used at dinner time. Because it’s fast to get upto pressure and cooks the food in much less time than regular methods we save gas and money. on top of that the food that comes out tastes great. Another quoted- Love the fact that is so easy to use, incredibly quiet and the recipe books that comes with it has lots of great cooking ideas, it really takes the fear and unknown of using a pressure away. I was always frightened that these things would blow up, but after seeing my sisters and now owning my own those fears have been put to bed-really pleased.

The only downside we could find to owning the Kuhn Rikon Pressure Cooker is if at some point in the future after you have had it for a number of years eventually like all these type of pressure cooker the gasket will most likely fatigue and fail to seal properly. You can easily find as new one to replace it and the company maintains that you will be able to get spare parts such as gaskets for at least 15 years after the model goes out of production. The only issue really is that these can be quite expensive.

That aside this really is a good choice and there is a very good reason why the New York times wrote about this model and named it the Mercedes of pressure cookers. The Kuhn Rikon is an efficient and soundly manufactured piece of cookware, made by the Swiss who are renowned for there precision engineering.

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Pressure Cooker Reviews – Comparison of Kuhn Rikon, Magefesa and WMF Pressure Cookers

There are three well-known European brands of pressure cooker namely Kuhn Rikon, Magefesa and WMF. These three companies all offer sophisticated and state-of-the art cookwares but each still differ to make their products unique and identifiable to them. Let’s take a closer look and compare them in terms of design, features and price.

Kuhn Rikon Duromatic is Swiss made and has been in the cookware business for more than 70 years. It has been tagged by by New York Times as the mercedes benz of pressure cooker making it all the more prestigious and reliable. It is made of stainless steel and has safety features like automatic locking system and spring-loaded precision valve. It has a solid thermal aluminum sandwiched in the bottom for better heat absorption and even browning. With the Swiss craftmanship and engineering in its design, its definitely durable and can stand the test of time. Price range is $ 150-$ 300 depending on the size and model.

Magefesa has its original headquarters in Spain where its known to manufacture pressure cookers, domestic and professional cookware and frying pans. The Magefesa Praktika Plus is made from 18/10 stainless steel, chrome & nickel and has a thermal diffusing base so its undoubtedly durable. Safety is the number one priority as it boasts of 5 security features – easy lock system, red pressure sensor, pressure regulating valve, safety valve and window. Price is $ 80-$ 250 depending on the quart size.

WMF pressure cooker is German made comes in several models such as Perfect Plus and Perfect Ultra. They are made from their prestigious and exclusive heavyweight Cromargan 18/10 stainless steel giving it a polished mirror finish. They are simple and easy to use with features such as ergonomic plastic handle, flame prevention and cooking scale. Safety is number one priority with parts like heavy-duty rubber ring and clear pressure gauge. Price is $ 200-$ 250 depending on the size and model.

Our pressure cooker reviews conclude that comparing the European brands, they have a lot things in common. They are all stainless steel made, expensive and crafted with safety as the number one priority. All have sleek designs, innovate styles and modern features. All in all, it all boils down to which brand you are more comfortable with. They are all highly recommended and even if price is on a higher scale, it will be definitely worth your money in the long run.

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Not All Slow Cookers are Crock Pots

My family has lived in the same house for the last 25 years. Styles have changed, the furniture rearranged (not my husband’s favorite mode of recreation), walls have gone through the colors of the spectrum – you get the idea. But, there is one thing that has not differed by even a fraction of an inch. And what would that be? My slow cooker, sitting on its ceramic-tiled throne of honor, aka the kitchen counter. Yes, indeed. My Crock Pot® has been the one appliance or piece of kitchenware that has survived the parade of forward-looking technology.

Going back 50 plus years, as the United States was recovering from World War II, Baby Boomers and their families were looking for a way to make their lives happy ones. Dad went to work every morning, leaving home just after breakfast and coming home every afternoon to a loving wife and two children, clamoring for Daddy’s attention. Mom was the epitome of the “Donna Reed” generation, always perfectly groomed and with a big smile for everyone. After all, life is all about family. She sought any way possible to have extra time to be with her children and hubby, instead of being shackled to the stove to make that perfect dinner.

Voila! The pressure cooker appeared on the scene, promising Mom the leisure time she and her family deserved. Now, dinner could be cooked in just one pot that did not have to be watched with a wary eye on the clock.

As time marched forward, the pressure cooker improved year by year. By the late 1960s and early 1970s, life styles tended to “hang loose” and subscribed to the philosophy of “doing your own thing.” Nobody wanted to be stuck at home, spending many hours at the stove, when they could be out and around. Women had a newfound freedom to take a job away from the house. With the advent of the SLOW COOKER came the opportunity for Mom to assemble the ingredients for dinner, place them in the slow cooker, and drive off to work without worry about dinner. Just one thing less to juggle into your daily schedule. After leaving the food to cook all day in the slow cooker, all Mom had to do when she came home was to set the table (better yet, have the kids do it), call the family to dinner, and sit down with her family, making dinner a quality time experience.

Along came late 1970, and with it came Rival Industries’ acquisition of another company which made a small kitchen appliance called the “Beanery.” This cooking device, in reality a basic bean cooker, was made of white steel, with a glazed brown crock liner, and an aluminum lid.

With experimentation, cooks and chefs determined that the small bean cooker cooked meat better than it did beans. And there bloomed a cheerful relationship between man and machine.

The initial slow cooker from Rival was called the CROCK POT®; because of trademark considerations, only a slow cooker made by Rival was entitled to be called a Crock Pot®. The name Crock Pot® has become so familiar to the American public, many people do not realize that Crock Pot® is not a generic name for all slow cookers. Along the same lines, unless it is a product of Kimberly-Clark, a facial tissue is not a piece of Kleenex®. Not all adhesive bandages are Band-Aids®. That wiggly, translucent gelatin dessert is not necessarily Jell-O®. In the playroom, those small plastic building bricks, deadly to an unshod foot (ouch!), may or may not be Legos®. And, the malleable, multicolored pseudo-clay that children adore, can be homemade or from a can of Play-Doh® from Hasbro.

What Exactly is a Slow Cooker and How Does it Work?

The components of a slow cooker include a round or oval pot of ceramic material, a thermostatically regulated heating element surrounded by a metal housing, and a transparent lid allowing the crock’s contents to be seen without the need to lift the lid and thus losing valuable steam. The ceramic pot does double duty as a cooking container, as well as acting as a heat reservoir. Available in a range of sizes, the capacity of a slow cooker can be as small as 16 oz. and as large as 6 quarts.

The heating element of a slow cooker is on the bottom. Because of the increased heat at the bottom of the crock, it may be occasionally necessary to stir the contents to prevent sticking to the bottom. Generally, the slow cooker has a thermostat that allows a range of cooking temperatures.

The Crock Pot® has its heating element, found around the side of the crock, in a housing made of plastic or an alloy with an aluminum liner. It usually has a crockery insert, also known as the crock. Since the entire Crock Pot® cannot be submerged in water for cleanup, the crock is usually removable for easy washing. The Crock Pot® usually has two heat settings, high and low.

Both the Crock Pot® and slow cooker work on rather simple principles. Food and a liquid that is mostly water (water, wine, stock, but not oil with water) are put into the crock. Next, put on the lid and switch on the cooker. The heating element, along with the thermostat, will cause the contents of the crockery pot to rise up to a steady cooking temperature of 175º – 200º F (80º – 95º C). Because the lid is non-hermetic (non-sealing), the cooking temperature can never rise above the boiling point of water, as the lid prevents the build up of pressure. Since the low temperature will not allow much production of vapor, the inside of the crock lid gets surrounded by condensed vapor, and the rate of evaporation remains very low. The condensed vapor falls back into the crock, allowing the contents to remain hydrated.

The heat from the pot wall is delivered to the food by means of heat transfer through the liquid in the pot. The lid must remain closed, for every time it is lifted, it will necessitate prolonging the cooking time because of heat loss.

When loading the slow cooker or Crock Pot®, remember to first put your cut-up vegetables in a layer on the bottom and next, along the sides of the pot. Add your meat last. When my husband makes his beef and veggie special in our Crock Pot®, he always sets aside enough vegetables to make a layer atop the meat. That might not be exactly following the “rules” to a T, but they taste mighty fine distributed that way.

What you can cook in a Crock Pot® is only limited by your imagination. Have fun creating a “Mystery Meal for your family to decipher. No matter what foods you put in your slow cooker, there really is no way to make a bad meal.

Look for your inner culinary adventurer and go out there and create.

Experiment!