A butcher’s guide to using a slow cooker

Slow cookers are a fantastic way to make delicious, nutritious meals with minimal prep. What’s more, they’re relatively low cost to run and your dinner will be ready and waiting at tea time without any faff.

Slow cookers have been around since the 1940s but boomed after a redesign in the 1970s. The popularity of slow cookers has varied over the years, but they’re pretty commonplace in kitchens across the UK.

In our butcher’s guide, find out how to use a slow cooker, from preparing food to cooking times.

How does a slow cooker work?

A slow cooker works using a low-watt heating element to cook food at a low, constant temperature. The element heats the ceramic or stoneware pot from underneath to evenly distribute the heat, with a glass lid to retain the heat.

Slow cookers typically have three settings, low, high and warm:

• Low – Made for a long cooking time, typically all day
• High – A higher temperature that’s still quite low to cook food in a shorter time, usually a few hours
• Warm – To maintain a constant temperature after the food is cooked

During cooking, the lid should not be removed as this allows the heat and steam to be released, increasing your cooking time.

How to use a slow cooker

Slow cookers are really simple to use. Just follow the steps below for a delicious meal:

1. Prepare your veg – chop the veg and add it to your slow cooker. You can prepare this ahead of time, like the night before
2. Add your liquid – fill the slow cooker with your liquid, typically stock, depending on the recipe
3. Brown your meat – to enhance the flavour, brown and seal your meat and add to the slow cooker
4. Add your seasoning – thoroughly stir your ingredients
5. Set the temperature – choose your temperature based on how long you have to cook your dinner – typically 3 to 5 hours on high and 8 to 10 on low
6. Set to warm – once cooked, you can set to warm to keep your meal warm so it’s ready when you are

Top slow cooker tips

1. Prep your veg – chop your veg the night before or up to a couple of days before. Store it in the fridge in an airtight container so it’s ready to add to the slow cooker before you start work
2. Brown your meat – it’s not 100% necessary, but searing your meat will really enhance the flavour
3. Try cheaper cuts – when cooking for longer periods, cheaper cuts with a higher proportion of connective tissue work really well, such as pork shoulder, lamb shank or beef chuck
4. Don’t overfill – aim for around ½ to ⅔ full, with the denser ingredients like root veg towards the bottom
5. Don’t lift the lid – not only will it increase the cooking time, but it can also impact the texture of your meal

How to clean a slow cooker?

You need to thoroughly clean your slow cooker after use. To do so, follow the steps below:

1. Turn off and unplug the cooker – wait until it’s thoroughly cool
2. Remove the lid and ceramic insert – wash with hot, soapy water using a soft sponge
3. Clean the casing – use a cloth with warm water to wipe away any dirt
4. Reassemble the slow cooker – ensure everything is thoroughly dry first

Slow cooker FAQs

Is a crock pot a slow cooker?

A Crock-Pot is a brand of slow cooker, but it’s quite often a term used for all slow cookers, especially in America.

Does a slow cooker use a lot of electricity?

No, slow cookers are one of the most efficient appliances after microwaves, especially when compared to the likes of ovens. They use around 150 to 300 watts of power.

Can I remove the lid when cooking?

If you take off the lid during cooking, you should increase the cooking time by between 20 and 30 minutes.

What can I cook in a slow cooker?

You can cook the majority of meals you would cook on the hob or in the oven, especially if they have a sauce. Some of the best things to cook are stews and casseroles, pulled pork or beef, chilli, or bolognese.

Looking for some delicious slow cooker recipes? Check out our best slow cooker beef recipes or browse our slow cooker meat for top-quality meat delivery to your door.