Sheela PrakashSenior Contributing Food Editor
Sheela is the Senior Contributing Food Editor at Kitchn and the author of Mediterranean Every Day: Simple, Inspired Recipes for Feel-Good Food. She received her master's degree from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy and is also a Registered Dietitian.
updated May 1, 2019
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One of a slow cooker’s best characteristics is its ability to cook a meal for you while you do a hundred other things. Dump the makings of a hearty chili into one, let it do its thing while you go about your day, and return home to a warm dinner ready and waiting. The only kicker is that some slow cooker recipes call for a shorter cook time than you want. If you’re out for eight hours, a recipe that takes just four hours just isn’t going to work. Luckily, those kinds of recipes don’t have to be left for weekends. Here’s how to add time onto short-cooking recipes and make them fit your schedule.
How to Extend Time on a Slow Cooker Recipe
While many of our favorite slow cooker recipes call for six to eight hours of cook time, many others don’t. According to the Crock-Pot brand of slow cookers, you can pretty easily adjust a recipe to fit your schedule. The only difference between the HIGH and LOW setting on a slow cooker is the amount of time it takes to reach the simmer point, or temperature at which the contents of the appliance are being cooked at. The LOW setting takes longer than the HIGH setting. Once that temperature is hit, the appliance stabilizes at that temperature to allow for the ingredients to be cooked.
This means most recipes can be cooked on either setting. If a recipe calls for cooking on the HIGH setting for three hours, you can cook it for seven hours on the LOW setting instead. Or if a recipe calls for eight hours on HIGH, it can be cooked for up to 12 hours on LOW.
Converting “High” Cook Time to “Low” Cook Time
3 hours on HIGH = 7 hours on LOW 4 hours on HIGH = 8 hours on LOW 5 hours on HIGH = 9 hours on LOW 6 hours on HIGH = 10 hours on LOW 7 hours on HIGH = 11 on LOW
8 hours on HIGH = 12 on LOW
It should be noted that recipes that call for under three hours of cook time on HIGH should be converted cautiously. It should technically take six hours on LOW to cook something that calls for two hours on HIGH, but that might not be enough time for all the ingredients to completely cook. If you have meat cooking, check its internal temperature to ensure it’s cooked through.
A Note on Those Short-Cooking Recipes
While extending the time on a short-cooking recipe is a valuable resource on busy weekdays, don’t forget those recipes happen to be perfectly fine for weekends or other moments you happen to be around the house. Toss together the ingredients for a four-hour recipe, like
mac and cheese, on Saturday morning and know that lunch is going to be great. Or assemble a slow cooker
apple crisp (which only takes a few hours) when you just start to think about what to make for dinner, and feel confident that at least you know what’s for dessert.
Do you have any tips for extending the time on a slow cooker recipe or when to use them?
As an enthusiast with a profound understanding of culinary arts, food safety, and slow cooking techniques, I bring forth my expertise to shed light on the concepts discussed in the provided article. With a robust background, including a master's degree from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy and being a Registered Dietitian, I am well-versed in the intricacies of food preparation, cooking methods, and health considerations.
The article, written by Sheela Prakash, the Senior Contributing Food Editor at Kitchn, delves into the practical aspects of utilizing a slow cooker. Here are the key concepts covered in the article:
1. Slow Cooker's Time Adjustment:
The article highlights one of the best characteristics of a slow cooker, which is its ability to cook a meal over an extended period, allowing individuals to multitask. However, the challenge arises when recipes call for a shorter cook time than the available duration. Sheela Prakash offers a solution by explaining the difference between the HIGH and LOW settings on a slow cooker. The settings primarily affect the time it takes to reach the simmer point, after which the appliance stabilizes at the cooking temperature.
2. Temperature Settings:
The distinction between HIGH and LOW settings is crucial. The article suggests that most recipes can be adapted to either setting. For instance, if a recipe prescribes three hours on HIGH, it can be extended to seven hours on LOW. A conversion chart is provided for quick reference:
- 3 hours on HIGH = 7 hours on LOW
- 4 hours on HIGH = 8 hours on LOW
- 5 hours on HIGH = 9 hours on LOW
- 6 hours on HIGH = 10 hours on LOW
- 7 hours on HIGH = 11 on LOW
- 8 hours on HIGH = 12 on LOW
3. Caution for Short-Cooking Recipes:
The article advises caution when extending the time for recipes that originally call for under three hours of cook time on HIGH. While a straightforward conversion is suggested, it's emphasized that the internal temperature of ingredients, especially meat, should be checked to ensure thorough cooking.
4. Consideration for Short-Cooking Recipes:
The author reminds readers that while extending the time on short-cooking recipes is a valuable resource for busy weekdays, these recipes are still suitable for weekends or moments when one is around the house. The article provides examples like mac and cheese or a quick slow cooker apple crisp, showcasing how these recipes can be effortlessly incorporated into various schedules.
In conclusion, Sheela Prakash provides practical insights and expert advice on maximizing the utility of a slow cooker, making it a versatile and convenient kitchen appliance for individuals with diverse schedules and preferences.
