Slow Cooker Food-Safety Guide

9 tips for using your slow cooker the right way every time.

A slow cooker is certainly convenient, but if not used correctly there is the potential for food-safety hazards. Temperatures between 40° and 140°F fall into the so-called “Danger Zone” since bacteria thrive in these temperatures. When using a slow cooker be sure to take precautions that keep food from being in the Danger Zone for too long.

Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes

Proper Temperature

If you’re cooking meat and poultry on low, the USDA suggests that you start the dish on high for the first hour, then switch to low for the remainder of the cooking time. However, since this may not always be practical, we advise you to bring liquids to a simmer before adding them to the slow cooker on low, thereby jump-starting the creation of heat.

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