Back to school season is the time when I start to use my CrockPot. I think about this and wonder why I opt to use a CrockPot during the colder weather months, as it would make much more sense to use the oven and heat up the home, but I enjoy using my slow cooker.
I have an actual CrockPot brand slow cooker and it’s my favorite kitchen gadget, a close second to my quesadilla maker. With that being said, there are mistakes many people make with a CrockPot.
Today I’m featuring the top 5 mistakes everyone makes to help you succeed in using your slow cooker the right way.
Don’t have a CrockPot? This is the best one out there.
5 Mistakes Everyone Makes
Purchasing Expensive Meat
There’s no need to purchase the most expensive meat. The slow cooker will make even the toughest cuts of meat moist, tender, and delicious.
Don’t waste your money buying fancy cuts of meat if you plan on using the slow cooker, you’ll be wasting money.
Peeking at What’s Cooking
Stop opening the lid of this kitchen gadget when you’re cooking something. Opening the lid reduces the heat inside the unit and it actually takes your machine a bit to get up to temperature.
You may be prolonging the cooking process by opening that lid and peeking at what’s cooking.
Using Skin-On Meat
Stop using skin-on meat, unless you enjoy a rubbery style skin. When you bake skin-on meat in the oven you end up with a crispy, delicious skin but in this kitchen gadget, it’s more of a sloppy icky mess.
Do not use skin-on meat in the CrockPot, there’s simply no benefit to it.
Adding Dairy Products too Soon
Do not add dairy products to your meal too early, they will curdle and it will ruin your entire meal. This will create more time in the kitchen versus saving time which is usually why we use our CrockPot, right?
! If you add milk or cheese too early in the process, you’ll end up with a curdled mess. It’s not pretty.
Not Greasing
I have been guilty of this one far more than I care to admit, but many people make this mistake so at least I’m not alone. Learn to grease your fancy cooker kitchen gadget.
You may opt to use a slow cooker liner, instead, to alleviate stuck-on messes and having to scrape your CrockPot clean or soaking it forever to get it clean.
Using a slow cooker to help alleviate time in the kitchen at the end of the day or simply using it to have more flavorful meals is a brilliant idea.
I don’t know what I would do without the two slow cookers I own, back when I had two kids playing soccer in the fall this machine was a lifesaver!
If using your CrockPot for quick meals, then you’ll just love these 10 delicious recipes below.
10 Delicious Slow Cooker Recipes
Do you enjoy new recipe ideas to make? If yes, you’re in luck! I have what you need below!
Each of these recipes looks absolutely yummy to me, I hope you’ll click over and try to make a few of these slow cooker recipes.
- Midlife Healthy Living CROCK POT PORK AND SAUERKRAUT RECIPE
- Merry About Town CROCK POT TAMALE PIE RECIPE
- My Unentitled Life CROCKPOT BAKED POTATOES
- This N’ That with Olivia Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken with Bacon
- The Mom Skoop Slow Cooker Spiced Pumpkin Pudding
- Mom Foodie Slow Cooker Meatloaf Recipe with Potatoes and Carrots
- A Day in Motherhood Easy Spicy Slow Cooker Nachos Recipe
- Scrappy Geek Easy Crock Pot Chicken Chilaquiles
- Masshole Mommy Crockpot Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
- The Salty Side Dish PINEAPPLE CHICKEN | CROCKPOT HAWAIIAN CHICKEN
Must-Have Products
Below you will find affiliate links for products that I recommend you have for future CrockPot creations.
Crock-Pot SCCPVL600S Cook’ N Carry 6-Quart Oval Manual Portable Slow Cooker, Stainless SteelCrock-Pot SCCPLC200-R 20-Ounce Lunch Crock Food Warmer, Red
The Easy 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cookbook: 100 Delicious No-Fuss Meals for Busy People
Simply Organic Starter Spice Gift Set
I never thought about greasing it. I guess it depends what I’m making. I used to peek at what I was cooking but I know better now. Great list.
We don’t grease ours because we don’t want it in our food. A little soaking never hurt anyone! 😉
Those are great tips and I too have been guilty of not greasing my slow cooker. Your tip about not buying expensive meat makes a lot of sense. I use mine year round as it is a great way in the summer to make a meal without heating up the house. I use it in the winter when out of the house so I can come home with food ready rather than needed to fix it. I love mine too.
Great reminders. I have had friends mention the worst mistake… thinking it was plugged in when they turned it on and left for the day. Always double check that… cause nobody wants to come home to uncooked food.
I can’t tell you how many times I open up my lid when cooking a new recipe. I know I should but I always catch myself doing it. Great tips!!