Slow Cooker Know-How
When it comes to heating elements, all slow cookers are not created equally, which means that some recipes have varying results. We came face-to-face with differences during thorough testing of the recipes in this book. Here’s what we learned:
1. How it works
Coils indirectly transfer heat to the inner crock of the slow cooker. Steam builds in the cooker, and juices that normally release from ingredients—especially meat—during cooking are held in the cooker. The result? Moist, tender meat and veggies without added fat and calories. This top-selling appliance boasts a level of confidence and convenience that no other cooking method can match: the beauty of combining ingredients in the morning, switching it on, and coming home to dinner that is ready to serve.
2. The half-full rule
Normally we recommend filling a slow cooker at least half full for optimum cooking. However, once we stretched recipe development past pot roast and chili, the old rule came into question. Slow cookers are programmed to gradually heat to a set temperature, regardless how much food is in the crock. Therefore, when we tested baking-type recipes and other recipes that were shallow in the crock, we experienced success with some brands and burning with others.
3. Element-ary
To get to the bottom of the issue, we took a couple of paths. We placed calls to the big brands in the market, and we deconstructed several slow cooker models to see how they were built. We learned that some brands run heating elements around the middle of the slow cooker (illustration, right), which allows for even heat distribution even when the load is below the level of the heating element. Other brands have elements closer to the base of the unit (illustration, right), so shallow contents could burn because they are immediately subjected to direct heat (as compared to gradual warming).
4. Have confidence
What we learned is rolled into these recipes to ensure your success. Our recipes have been tested across several slow cooker brands to ensure they work, regardless of brand. Just make sure you use the slow cooker size called for in the recipe, rotate and/or line the crockery insert as directed, and follow the shorter-than-average cook times and doneness cues to ensure that your finished recipes turn out just as well as they did in our Test Kitchen.
Options
Slow cookers come with myriad options: basic, programmable, easy-to-tote with locking lid, app-enabled to adjust cook time and temperature remotely. Sizes range from 1 to 7 quarts—smaller sizes are generally for dips. The 3½- to 5-quart range works nicely for couples, and 6-quart models hold enough to serve dinner for 4 with leftovers.