Why slow cookers work so well
Slow cookers are among the simplest appliances to use. Add your ingredients, pick your cooking setting, put the lid on, and let gentle heat do the heavy lifting.
They’re especially helpful for soups, stews, shredded meats, chili, and other meals that do better with hours of slow cooking.
However, the fact that a slow cooker can run for six or eight hours doesn’t mean every ingredient should spend that entire stretch inside it.
Some foods turn unpleasantly soft, some separate or lose their flavor, and a few can even create real food-safety issues if you handle them the wrong way.
The photo of a badly damaged insert is also a reminder that the appliance itself deserves attention. Don’t ignore a cooker with cracked, chipped, badly damaged, or deteriorating surfaces. Review the manufacturer’s instructions and replace damaged cookware when needed.
