Safety important when using slow cooker for hot winter meals

For many of us, coming home to a slow-cooked pot of stew or soup in the evening is the last word in convenience.

"It's a good feeling coming in your front door after a long day at work to discover that someone, or something, has been hard at work preparing a delicious meal," commented LaDonna Dunlop, the family and consumer sciences educator for the Oklahoma County OSU Cooperative Extension Service and a registered and licensed dietitian.

Slow cookers continue to be almost a necessity for many households, especially during the winter months when hot foods are more appreciated, Dunlop pointed out.

"Slow cookers generally use less electricity than an oven," Dunlop said. "The low heat used for cooking also helps tenderize less expensive, leaner cuts of meat."

But when it comes to food safety, Dunlop stressed that the same food precautions still have to be taken.

"Since slow cookers cook at lower temperatures you will need to make certain that cooked foods are heated to safe internal temperatures to kill bacteria," Dunlop said. "It is safe to use these cookers on low the entire time they are cooking, but be sure that your cooker has the ability to reach and maintain a safe bacteria-killing temperature."

To check your slow cooker's ability, Dunlop advised filling it with two-thirds water, then cover and leave the setting on high. Two hours later, check the temperature of the water. If it registers 160 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, then your cooker is safe to use.

Dunlop does not recommend using slow cookers to reheat leftovers, since they heat too slowly. Also, large chunks of meat and vegetables need to be cut into smaller pieces before cooking.

"We also don't recommend using the slow cooker for large pieces of meat such as roast or a whole chicken," Dunlop said. "These foods cook so slowly that they would remain in susceptible to bacteria multiplication for far too long."

Dunlop also stressed always starting with a clean cooker, clean utensils and a clean work area.

"The same rules for safe cooking apply no matter what method you use," Dunlop cautioned. "We all need to take care when cooking."

11/24/08
4 Star NE\3-B

Date: 11/19/08

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