How To Use A Crockpot The Right Way

Crockpots have been around for a long time, and people have been taking advantage of them for a long time. There is no denying that they come packed with tons of benefits and can make dinner, lunch, breakfast, or eating, in general, all that much easier. There are now even specific models available for blind people. They sync up with smart devices, make sounds, and beep. Whatever the situation is, crockpots are popular and will always continue to be popular because they are easy to use. They are made to do a job and they do that job particularly well. This is especially true when combining them with recipes from Corrie Cooks. All that being said, you might be surprised to learn just how many people are using these devices wrong. You might even be one!

Choosing The Right Meats

Using your crockpot right starts by choosing the right meats to use it in conjunction with. And, those meats would be tough and fatty ones. These are the best meats because they are tough and fatty, which means they take a lot of time to cook. That is what crockpots were designed to do. Cook long and slow. Beef chuck, short ribs, pork shoulder, and spare ribs, they all go well with a crockpot. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can’t also lean cuts like rump roast or sirloin roast because that would simply be a lie. Any type of roast is going to work well with a crockpot because it is nearly impossible to overcook them. This is something that you can’t say about an oven. Keep in mind that you can cook whole chickens in a crockpot, but it’ll never come out crispy like it would if you roasted it in the oven.

What Not To Do

If you want to get the most out of your pressure cooker, you need to make sure that you stick with the right foods. Otherwise, you’re going to run into major problems. For instance, cooking certain food in an Instant Pot is going to lead to issues. You have to avoid food that is going to expand. This includes cereal, oatmeal, pasta, noodles, and cranberries. If they expand too much, there is a risk that it will block the cooker’s steam vent. That could be incredibly dangerous. Therefore, you should never stick these foods in an Instant Pot cooker.

Brown The Meat Beforehand

You just learned that a slow cooker won’t produce a crispy exterior on a chicken or roast. And, while this is something that many individuals look for, it doesn’t mean that you can’t sear the items before sticking them in the crockpot. In fact, you can and it is recommended in many cases. There are two major benefits that you can take advantage of from doing this. The first is appearance. The meat will just simply look browner and better cooked overall. The second major benefit would be that the meat is going to be more flavorful. Searing meat in the oven produces all kinds of fabulous flavors as the heat interacts with the proteins. Just make sure that you don’t overdo it.

Stick the meat in the skillet, get it searing hot on each side, and then stick in the slow cooker. A cast-iron skillet is best for the job and a chicken is one of the meats that you’ll want to put through this process before slow cooking.

Always Wear Oven Mitts

Pressure cookers can reach extremely high temperatures. According to research, the interior of a pressure cooker can reach temperatures as high as 235 degrees Fahrenheit. While these extreme temperatures are required for speedy cooking with a pressure cooker, some people have reported burns when utilizing these appliances. It is recommended to utilize oven mitts when handling a pressure cooker. But, you should wait until the pot reaches room temperature before doing anything with it.

The steam generated by the pressure cooker alone can cause serious burns. By wearing oven mitts that reach half-way up your forearm will help reduce the risk of injury. Oven mitts are available in different styles, sizes, and designs. Be sure to find a size and style specifically for you to ensure thorough protection.

Adjusting Temperature

Most pressure cooker interfaces are straightforward. Depending on the brand and model, the pressure cooker may or may not come with a digital display. These models are the easiest to control, as the temperature and time settings are displayed for easy viewing. On the interface, you will find several buttons that are labeled for convenience. You can choose from steam, slow cook, and saute, along with other cooking methods for specific foods, such as rice, poultry, and chili.

Adjusting the temperature setting is simple, thanks to the digital display. Just utilize the “-” to reduce the temperature and “+” to increase the temperature.

Troubleshooting Problems

When using one of these products, there is a chance that you’re going to run into certain problems. For instance, you should know that your pressure cooker is fitted with a gasket that is responsible for preventing leaks. If you’re haphazard, there is a risk that the gasket is not installed correctly. You need to check this after and before each use. Make sure that the gasket is clean and in place. You may experience leaks from the cooker’s handle too.

These devices usually feature long handles made from tough materials. The handle should be placed away from the steam so you can touch it without getting hurt. If the pressure is escaping from the handle, you have a problem that needs to be resolved. In all likelihood, this has something to do with the gasket. You’ll want to address and fix this problem immediately.

Sometimes, you’re going to find that steam is getting trapped in the vent pipe. This is another big problem that needs to be avoided. These products are equipped with manual pressure regulators. They’re designed to allow pressure to escape. If the steam cannot escape through the vent pipe, it must be getting stuck somewhere. You’ll want to find out what the problem is so you can fix it immediately.

You should never use a faulty pressure cooker since that could lead to additional problems.

Summary

Using a pressure cooker or Instant Pot isn’t difficult. Nevertheless, you have to be very careful. You need to make sure that you take steps to ensure that you’re using the device carefully and properly. By doing so, you can prepare delicious meals for your family without having to worry about the safety of your loved ones. Also, you should stay away from certain foods. Stick with foods that work great in an Instant Pot and you can guarantee that your family will be excited about the foods you’re providing.