Hamilton Beach^®
Learn The Basics First

Whether you consider yourself a slow cooker novice or have some experience, there are a few things you should know about this method of cooking:  

1. If you are not familiar with using a slow cooker, experiment with different cooking times and settings. Getting the results you desire from your slow cooker takes a little practice and the more you use it, the better results you’ll get.
2. A slow cooker is great for foods that are not naturally tender, such as meat with a lot of connective tissue.  These are the least-expensive cuts but also the most flavorful.
3. When it comes to overcooking, the size of your slow cooker matters. Most recipes call for cooking on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. If the crock is not filled, it will overcook. To prevent overcooking, the crock (sometimes called stoneware) should be filled half-full to no more than one inch from the rim. However, this does not mean to fill the crock with liquid.
4. The slow cooker version of a recipe will call for less liquid than the oven or stovetop original, where evaporation will occur. So unless you are cooking soup, stew or chili, do not add too much liquid. You need just enough liquid to cover the bottom of the crock for even heat distribution.
5. If you lift the lid during cooking, your cooking time will increase due to heat loss.  Unless your recipe specifically calls for stirring, resist lifting the lid.
6. Always completely thaw frozen meat before placing in slow cooker.

Test Kitchen Tip: Evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk and processed cheese are better choices than fresh dairy products for use in slow cooker recipes.

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