Crock-Pot Slow Cookers

The Crock-Pot brand is synonymous with the slow-cooker. But what does a slow-cooker actually do and why (in our opinion) is it indispensable in every kitchen?

Crock-Pot is an American company that has made slow-cookers popular. You can think of a slow cooker as an electric frying pan. You use it to heat up food at a low temperature. Because of the low temperature, it will never boil and you lose hardly any moisture and nutrients. As a result, dishes are tastier, more tender and healthier.

In America, almost every kitchen has a Crock-Pot. It is therefore tradition to get a Crock-Pot as soon as you leave the parental home. Fortunately, more and more Dutch people are becoming familiar with these handy appliances as well.

Why a Crock-Pot?

You fill a crock-pot slow-cooker with ingredients in the morning and let it simmer all day without fear of anything sticking. At the end of the day, you come home with delicious smells and can go straight to the table. This way, you eat just as delicious on a busy weekday as you do on the weekend.

The difference between a casserole and a slow cooker.

Many customers ask us what the difference between a slow cooker and casserole is. This remains a personal preference, and we think every kitchen should have a cast iron skillet. But for households where everyone is away during the day, the slow cooker has a few key advantages.

Always the right temperature

You have a choice of two settings (low and high) with the high being just below the boiling point. So you never have to worry about your dish boiling dry or caking. You would prefer to use the low setting, but if you are in a "hurry", your dish will be ready 1.5 times faster with the high setting.

Safe in use

Cooking a dish slowly in a casserole means your stove is on all day. Especially if you are away from home, this can be an exciting thought. With a Crockpot, you don't have to worry about this.

Hardly consumes any power

A slow cooker consumes almost no power. For example, for 8 hours of slow cooking you spend €0.14. That is cheaper than gas / induction.

Easy to keep warm

Most models have a timer. You set this for the number of hours you want to roast. After the timer expires, the slow cooker automatically goes into a keep-warm mode. Your dish will not continue to cook and will be the perfect temperature for eating when you get home.

No fat needed

Because of the slow cooking, you don't need to use extra oil or butter. The fats in meat, chicken or fish are enough to make it deliciously tender.

Now, of course, there are not only advantages.

Unsociable Design

In terms of coziness, nothing beats a traditional skillet on the stove. Of course, a Le Creuset or enameled BK frying pan looks very nice in the kitchen.

Another appliance in your kitchen

No problem for people with a large kitchen, but most of us don't have space to spare. In addition, there must also be an outlet nearby where the cooker can cook for a few hours.

Not suitable for frying

A slow cooker is not suitable for searing meat. So provide it with a crispy crust. A crust gives extra texture to food and ensures that the juices stay in the meat. This can be done in the Express, but it has to drop in temperature afterwards to slow cook.

Does not last a lifetime

You buy a Le Creuset skillet for life. A Crock-Pot will last for years, but it is still an electric appliance. In addition, in many models the insides are made of porcelain so are vulnerable to damage.

The difference between the models

There are several models available. The differences are minimal, but it is important to know them to make a good choice. We recommend choosing a model with a timer. These are slightly more expensive to purchase but give so much convenience.

The Crock-Pot Express

The Express is an extraordinary crockpot. In addition to being a slow cooker, it is also a steam cooker, pressure cooker, casserole, skillet and oven. This device is so diverse that it can replace most tasks on your stove/over.

For example, you can use the pressure cooker function to make wire meat and soup in no time. For vegetables or fish, use the steam function to preserve all the vitamins and minerals. Even desserts such as yogurt or other desserts can be made in this wonder device. All at the touch of a button (thanks to the 8 programs).

It may be the most expensive model, but guaranteed that you will use it constantly.

Frequently asked questions

What does the slowcooker consume?

Slowcookers consume very little electricity. According to this site, consumption comes to 0.7 kWh for 8 hours of cooking, which amounts to €0.14.

Recipes for the Crock-Pot

There are thousands of free recipes can be found online.

Personally, I experiment with existing recipes that I modify slightly. Because hardly any liquid evaporates, I add a little less liquid than the normal recipe indicates, or I add a little flour / cornstarch to thicken the liquid. This experimentation takes some time, but the result is well worth it. In the process, you get to know the appliance completely.

What you can make with a Crock-Pot

The Crock-Pot is versatile. You can use it to make soups, various stews, risottos, pies, curries and puddings. But pizza and bread are also among the possibilities.

Slowcooker Tips

Preheat

Is not necessary! You can put ingredients in the slowcooker right away before you turn it on.

Food at room temperature

Make sure your meat or chicken is at room temperature. Too rapid a difference in heat will make meat drier. Also, never use frozen products in a slow-cooker

Use cheap meat

The Crock-Pot is ideal for stewing cheap meat. Cheaper meats tend to be fattier and become deliciously tender because of the long cooking time. Add something acidic (orange juice, lime or vinegar) to make it even more tender.

Use whole herbs and spices.

The flavors come out more when simmering for a long time.

Take the lid off as little as possible during stewing

This causes you to lose a lot of heat and this takes time to get back to level. Of course, you may stir occasionally so that everything is covered in liquid.

Liquid is not always necessary

Most meat has enough juice to cook without the need to add water. Optionally, you can add some gravy or broth to enhance the flavor.

Searing is not necessary (but we recommend it)

Searing meat and chicken gives it more intense flavor. After searing, add some water to the pan to loosen the caramelized residue. These make a flavorful gravy that you can add to the meat in the slow cooker.

Too much liquid?

Open the lid for the last 30 minutes. Still too thick? Add some cornstarch or flour with water or put the liquid in a saucepan and cook until it is the right thickness.

Can I add milk or cheese?

Yes, but add this only at the last minute (max. 1 hour before the end time). If you add these right away there is a good chance it will separate.