It’s such a wonderful feeling coming home to dinner that’s ready to serve. That’s
probably why you love your slow cooker since it does all the hard work for you while
you’re off at work yourself. But perhaps during one of those meetings that should have
been an email, your mind has drifted off and pondered whether or not it’s safe to leave
this particular appliance on while you’re not home.
There’s good news that will put your mind at ease – slow cookers can safely be left
unattended, for the most part. To have full peace of mind the next time you set it and
forget it, follow these tips!
Know where to put it
Granite or tiled countertops are ideal for safe operation. Wooden tables or other types of
countertops aren’t fully heatproof though. If that’s your only place to plug it in, consider
setting it on a trivet to keep your kitchen protected.
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Don’t put it up against the wall
Heat from your Crock Pot will come from every angle. This means this device needs
breathing room. It’s ideal to position it so it’s a good 6 inches or more from walls or
other objects.
Watch that cord
You may have noticed that when you have this appliance on, it gets hot on the sides. Be
sure that the power cord isn’t touching those sides or it could spell disaster!
Pay attention to how full it is
Even if you’re at home, it is always wise to keep from filling a Crock Pot with too much.
A good rule of thumb is to keep what’s inside limited to no more than halfway or three-
quarters of the way full. Not having enough liquid in there is also a problem. The idea is
to strike a balance so that it won’t scorch or overflow.
Leave it low
Setting this device to low while you are out and about is the best way to keep problems
from arising when slow cooking. Not going to be home? Choose recipes that call for
using the low setting.
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Don’t leave it on too long
You should check the manual for your cooking vessel to see how long it can endure
being left on. Usually, most manufacturers advise no more than 8 to 12 hours at a time.
Additionally, the older your cooker is, the more dangerous it could potentially be when
you leave it on while out of the house.
Use reliable products
When using this method for cooking, it’s best to go with quality. Only choose brands
that are consistent and rated safe. Generally, it’s a bad idea to buy one second-hand or
untrusted appliance. Stick to reliable cookers instead.
While fires and mechanical problems are potential risks, they tend to be low. If you’re
going to slow cook whilst not home, make sure it’s in good condition and that you follow
these tips so the only hot thing you come home to is your cooked food!
