At the grocery store the other day I came across the discounted meat section. Usually when I go shopping, the discounted meats have been picked through and there is none left. I did find one chuck roast with a best buy date of the next day. I knew that if I got this roast, I would be eating it for days, but it was a really good deal! I made a trip back to the produce section to get carrots and potatoes. I could cook this with an onion, but I wanted to be able to share it with Betsy so no onion. A trip down the soup isle and I picked up a can of beef broth and a packet of brown gravy mix. When I got home, I pulled out my favorite kitchen appliance, my slow cooker.
Most crockpot recipes for pot roast tell you to sear the roast in a hot pan to get it brown on all sides. Who’s got time for that! Not me. I just plop that roast in the bottom of the crock and go to the next step. One less pan to clean. Next, I washed the potatoes, and I found that the little Yukon gold ones are the easiest for me. I just dropped them in whole. You can cut them in half, but I don’t. I poured a bag of baby cut carrots on top and around the roast. I pulled a bag of chopped celery out of my freezer and added about ½ cup to the pot. I mixed a packet of brown gravy with the can of beef broth, added a splash of Worcestershire and poured it over the whole thing. I put the lid on and went to work. When I got home the house smelled great and a meal was ready for me.
Today’s slow cookers are designed to be left on and unattended for 8-48 hours. According to Good Housekeeping, while cooking is the number one cause of U.S. home fires, the chance of a slow cooker setting your house on fire is extremely slim. Most models don’t run above 200-300 watts, making them a low current, low heat appliance. Still, if you feel apprehension at the idea of leaving it on all day, here are some slow cooker safety tips to follow:
Crockpot safety tips
Don’t overfill your crockpot. Crockpots come in all sizes, from 1.5 quarts to a massive 8 quarts. Before you fill it, double-check the manufacturer’s instructions. Most recommend filling a crockpot one-half to two-thirds of the way. Overfilling it may cause the contents to boil over, while not enough liquid may burn your dinner.
Don’t use near water. We all know water and electrical appliances don’t mix. When using your slow cooker, keep it away from the kitchen sink or other water sources.
Set on a Flat surface. The best place to use a crockpot is on the kitchen counter. Avoid setting your slow cooker on an uneven surface, and never place it near loose fabrics, including curtains, kitchen towels, or napkins. Use your crockpot in the middle of a counter or table and far away from the edge. Try to hide the cord, too. All it takes is a hyper dog or curious toddler to knock the slow cooker – and all its hot contents – onto the floor.
Avoid walls. Setting your crockpot too close to a wall is a recipe for disaster. As a rule of thumb, allow a 6-inch clearance around all sides of your slow cooker.
Pay attention to the temperature needed. Slow cookers cook slowly. Leave your crockpot on low heat, especially if you plan on cooking all day or overnight. Slow cookers are designed to do their own thing, so you don’t need to keep checking the contents. Every time you take the lid off it will release some of the heat, so if you keep doing this, you’ll have to increase the cooking time. Invest in a programmable slow cooker, especially if you like to cook while you’re away from home. These models automatically switch to a lower temperature after a designated time.
Is it safe to leave a crockpot all day or overnight? Slow cookers are popular because you can cook food for hours without standing over a hot stove. But is it safe to leave a crockpot on all day? Yes! Since crockpots cook at a much lower temperature, it’s often necessary to run the appliance for 4-8 hours. What can you do while dinner simmers all day? You can go to work, run errands, do chores, or relax. Is it safe to leave a crockpot on overnight while you sleep? Yes! If you feel comfortable leaving your crockpot on while you’re at work, you should also feel safe using it overnight. If you follow the manufacturer’s instructions and the crockpot isn’t a pass-me-down from your great-grandmother, there’s no reason to worry. While vintage appliances from the ‘70s look cool, you shouldn’t use them for cooking. Before leaving your crockpot on all day, make sure it meets current safety standards. If it has a fabric cord, it’s outdated. Throw out your slow cooker if it has an attached insert. You should also invest in a new model if it no longer heats up properly. Though slow cookers have been around for a long time, technology has improved a lot in recent years with modern safety features like auto shut off.
Slow cooker pot roast
Ingredients:
About 3 pounds chuck roast
4 medium Yukon gold potatoes, quartered (or red potatoes) Russets get too mushy
3 celery stalks, cut into thirds
3 carrots, cut into thirds
1 yellow onion, quartered (I left it out so the dog could eat it too!)
1 packet brown gravy mix
1 can low sodium beef broth
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions:
Place the roast into the slow cooker. Mix together the beef broth, gravy mix, and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl and pour over the roast. Now arrange all of the vegetables on top of the roast. Cook on high for 5-6 hours or low for 8-10 hours.
Courtesy photos
