If the slow cooker in your house hasn’t been used in a while or even if you use it on a regular basis, it is a good idea to test it for accuracy. Follow these simple steps for slow cooker calibration to make sure everything is working properly and your food is safe!
- Fill the slow cooker 1/2 to 2/3 full with water. The amount of water you need depends on the size of the slow cooker.
- Turn the slow cooker on to LOW and let heat for 8 hours. Do not lift the lid during this time!
- Check the water temperature with an accurate food thermometer. Do this quickly since the temperature in the slow cooker drops 10 to 15 degrees once the lid is removed.
- The temperature of the water should be between 185 and 200 degrees.
- If the water temperature is less than 185 degrees, the slow cooker is not safe to use and should be thrown out.
- If the temperature is over 200 degrees, then that is an indication that food cooked for 8 hours in the slow cooker without any stirring would likely be overdone; therefore, your slow cooker should be safe to use.
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