A slow cooker is a pot that’s entirely or partially surrounded by an electrical unit that has a heating element. It usually has a lid designed to stop the moisture from escaping. Slow cookers vary in size and most have two to three settings. Low will cook the food in six to 10 hours and high in four to six hours. Here are some benefits of slow cooking.
Benefits of slow cooking
Convenient
A slow cooker allows for one step preparation. You place all the ingredients in it and let it do it’s thing. This cuts on preparation time, reduces the number of pots and pans you use which means reduced clean-up time and also frees you from having to stand at the stove turning and stirring food. It’s a time and energy saver that makes cooking easier and more convenient. It’s a perfect option for lazy days also because it can usually be left unattended. It also travels well so you can just unplug it from your kitchen and move with it to the office or party then plug and serve.
Better flavour
The extended cooking time of this cooker allows for a better distribution of flavours in many recipes. The food spends a long time simmering and soaking up flavours which is why slow cooked stews and soups are so delicious.
Healthy and nutritious
Cooking at a high temperature causes food to lose its nutrients and can also release harmful chemicals. A slow cooker on low heat allows the food to retain its nutrients while preserving the freshness and flavour. Slow cooking along with steaming and poaching are the safest and healthiest ways to cook. Tender food is also processed better by the body.
Tender meat
Cheaper cuts of meat are usually tougher, and they don’t cook well unless they’re left to cook for long and gently. Most meat will be more tender and delicious when prepared in this cooker.
Money saver
A slow cooker consumes less energy than a regular oven which is one way to helps you save money. You can also buy cheaper tougher cuts of meat because slow cooking is guaranteed to make them tender which also save you money.
No burning
A slow cooker operates at a stable temperature which significantly decreases the likelihood of burning food. The cooking results with this appliance is pretty consistent.
Easy to use
You don’t need to know much about cooking or using electrical appliances in order to start using it. You just throw your ingredients into the pot, select your preferred settings, and turn it on. It produces consistent results and even beginners following recipes can produce a masterpiece.
Disadvantages of slow cooking
No ad hoc changes
Once you throw your ingredients into the pot, there’s no changing your mind mid-way, certainly not for beginners. If you redo the recipe, you are likely to miss the right spot.
Not suitable for every meal
A slow cooker is not suitable for every meal so it’s important to in the beginning use recipes and also research to find out what meals work well, and which ones don’t. The flavours also melt into each other when slow cooking so that none is distinct. You will not get a separate taste of potatoes, carrots, and meat etc., so if you want chicken with a hint of lime, slow cooking isn’t the way to get it. The good news is there are a million slow cooker recipe books to pick from and experiment with.
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