10 Genius Slow Cooker Tricks Everyone Needs to Try

My small kitchen appliances I get quite an exercise session during summertime, particularly when it becomes so sweltering outside that just imagining switching on the oven and making the kitchen steamy turns my stomach. Besides using my Instant Pot and lately, my air fryer, I've also found myself utilizing my slow cooker frequently these last several weeks.

As I've needed to revisit the rules for successful slow cooker meals, I thought it'd be helpful to compile some reminders here on the blog as well! That's why this article featuring ten key slow cooker tips came into being, and I'm confident these will prove just as valuable to you as they have been for me! :)

10 Clever Slow Cooker Tricks (+ 4 Extra Tips)

1. Simultaneously Warm Two Items

Utilize aluminum foil to form a partition in the middle of your Crock-Pot. Cover it with a slow cooker liner and press it down into both sections. This way, you can utilize your Crock-Pot for cooking or warming up dishes simultaneously in separate areas. two dips or soups!

2. DIY Double Boiler

Utilize your slow cooker as a makeshift double boiler by putting the item you wish to heat inside a glass jar, placing this jar into the slow cooker, and adding several inches of lukewarm water. This method works well for tasks such as melting chocolate and preparing salves among others.

3. Prevent Condensation Drips

Prevent droplets of condensation from falling onto your food by positioning a cloth or a heavy-duty paper towel beneath the sealed lid of your slow cooker. This technique is particularly beneficial when preparing items that can become dampened, like crockpot brownies or bread.

4. DIY Humidifier

Utilize your slow cooker as a makeshift humidifier by adding some lukewarm water and setting it to High. After about one hour, moisture will begin to emit from the slow cooker, enhancing the humidity levels around you. This can be particularly beneficial during colder months when indoor heating tends to make the atmosphere dry, which may lead to dried-out nasal passageways and higher susceptibility to illnesses.

5. Avoid Crockpot Catastrophes

If you're incorporating cream or cheese into your slow cooker dish, do so close to the end of the cooking process to prevent problems like curdling. Similarly, pre-cooked items such as pasta, vegetables, and legumes can become mushy rapidly when placed in the slow cooker; therefore, add them later during the cooking cycle. end of the cooking process.

6. Erase White Residue

Even after thorough cleaning, the detachable stoneware pot in your slow cooker might accumulate a persistent white buildup eventually. To remove this chalky mineral deposit, you can simply clean it using white vinegar. Alternatively, you can sprinkle some baking soda inside the pot, add a little vinegar over it, and then thoroughly wash everything with hot, soapy water.

7. Sear Your Meat

To enhance the taste of slow cooker dishes that require meat, consider browning the meat in a scorching skillet prior to adding it to your slow cooker. Browning the meat over high heat produces caramelization on the exterior, resulting in a richer flavor profile for your ultimate meal compared to not doing so.

8. Maintain Control Over It

If your recipe doesn’t require stirring throughout the cooking, avoid lifting the lid unnecessarily! Each time you lift it, considerable warmth escapes from the slow cooker, and it might take around half an hour for the temperature to return to what it was prior to opening it.

9. Salvaging Thin Soups and Sauces

If your slow cooker dish appears somewhat watery, alternatively, you might want To take off the lid. Doing so will enable some of the water to vaporize, making the soup or sauce more concentrated and thicker for a denser final result.

10. Avoid Dry Meat

Large, fattier pieces of meat work exceptionally well with slow cookers due to the "low and slow" technique, which softens the fat and keeps these cuts juicy and flavorful. For those using leaner meats, opt for bigger portions that resist drying out more easily; for example, individual chicken breasts tend to become dry rather fast compared to a whole chicken, which remains quite moist throughout cooking.

4 Extra Slow Cooker Suggestions

11. Modify Your Go-To Recipes

By making just a few minor adjustments, you can adapt many of your beloved classic recipes for use in your crockpot Download my convenient printable guide for slow cooker conversions from the link provided below.

Read More: Stovetop/Oven to Crockpot Conversion Table

12. Tidy Up the Inside of the Oven

The detachable stoneware component of your crockpot can be effortlessly cleaned either in your dishwasher or manually. However, when it comes to cleaning the cooker itself, spills may lead to food residue sticking to the inside. But fear not—you can discover methods for removing these stubborn stains via the link provided below.

Read More: An Easy Method To Clean The Interior Of Your Crockpot

13. Make Something Interesting

Aside from typical meat dishes, soups, and stews, your slow cooker opens up possibilities for many unconventional recipes. Discover 10 unexpected items you can create with your Crock-Pot, ranging from desserts like brownies to crafts such as crayons, by following the link provided below.

Read More: 10 Unexpected Items You Never Knew You Could Cook in Your Slow cooker

14. Refresh Your Crockpot

Applying a chalkboard coating to your slow cooker allows for simple labeling of contents, making it convenient to present meals directly while ensuring your guests are aware of what they're eating. Additionally, it adds an elegant touch! However, acquiring this trendy look doesn’t require purchasing a new appliance; simply obtain some chalkboard paint instead. chalkboard paint !

What are some of your top tips for using a slow cooker effectively?