Ohio State nav bar

Skip to main content

The Ohio State University

  • Help
  • BuckeyeLink
  • Map
  • Find People
  • Webmail
  • Search Ohio State
  • Home
  • Food
  • Family and Relationships
  • Money
  • Mind and Body
  • Webinars
  • Authors

Family and Consumer Sciences

Live Smart Ohio

Ohio State University Extension

Topics:

The Ohio State University
You are here: Home / Food / Slow Cooker Safety: Don’t “Fall” for Foodborne Illness

October 13, 2016

Slow Cooker Safety: Don’t “Fall” for Foodborne Illness

crockpotFall is one of the busiest seasons of the year because family schedules are jam-packed with school activities, homework, sports, and holidays (fall ends on December 20th). It’s no wonder slow cookers (also known as Crock-Pots) reappear on the kitchen counter this time of year, as they provide a convenient and quick method of food preparation. All that’s needed on your part is to throw the recipe ingredients into the cooker and head out the door. Then be prepared to come home to a ready-to-serve dinner!


Food safety-wise, slow cookers are a safe way to cook food if they are used correctly. Just follow these reminders:


• Always start with clean hands, slow cooker, utensils and work space.

• Thaw meat or poultry before putting it into a slow cooker. Defrosting ensures food cooks all the way through to safe internal temperature. Cut bigger foods (like meat and potatoes) into small chunks so they will cook thoroughly.

• Keep perishable foods refrigerated as long as possible. Bacteria multiply rapidly at room temperature. To avoid this, keep your food refrigerated until it’s time to add it to the pot.

• If possible, set the cooker at the highest setting for the first hour of cooking, then turn back down to the low setting. However, it is safe to cook foods on low the entire time. Just make sure your food reaches the proper internal temperature by using a food thermometer.

• Do not use the warm setting to cook food. It is designed to keep food hot after it’s cooked.

• Make sure the food(s) you are cooking fit! The slow cooker should only be one-half to two-thirds full to ensure all the food cooks thoroughly. Don’t overfill it!

• Keep the lid on. It’s important to retain the heat when preparing a slow cooker meal, so avoid taking the lid off. Only remove the lid to stir or check for doneness.

• Do not leave cooked food in the crock when cooling down. Place leftovers in shallow containers and refrigerate.

 

 

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

WRITTEN BY: Beth Stefura, OSU Extension Educator, Mahoning County, stefura.2@osu.edu

REVIEWED BY: Donna Green, OSU Extension Educator, Erie County, green.308@osu.edu

REFERENCES:

  • www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/topics/food-safety-education
  • www.extension.umn.edu/food/food-safety/preserving/safe-meals/slow-cookersafety
  • www.eatright.org/resource/homefoodsafety/four-steps/cook

Categories: Food
Tags: crockpot, food safety, slow cooker

Avatar for Donna Green
Avatar for Donna Green

About Donna Green

Donna Green is an Extension Educator in the field of Family and Consumer Sciences. She is passionate about the need for life skills education in our schools, colleges, and beyond. Her specializations are nutrition and physical activity; especially their relationship to chronic disease. Donna also promotes and supports financial capability by providing financial literacy education. She is a four term school board member in her hometown, enjoys all kinds of yard work (even lawn mowing and snow shoveling), takes daily walks along the shores of Lake Erie, and loves to read and spend time with family.

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

Diabetes Awareness month 2024 3

November Diabetes Awareness Month Webinars

2024 Food Preservation webinar series presented in Summer 2024

Kids Eat Free

Here Comes the Sun, Sun Meals, and Sun Bucks!

winter seed sowing timeline

Winter Sowing

How to Can Tomatoes in a Water Bath Canner

Food Videos

  • Freezing Green Beans
  • Ohio Days – My Plate My State Video
  • Water Bath Canning Of Salsa
  • Water Bath Canning of Sweet Pickles

Follow Us!

  • Facebook

Footer

Need Assistance?

If you are having issues logging into the site, need assistance with updates, or need to request an alternate format please send an email to the EHE Service Desk at servicedesk@ehe.osu.edu stating the nature of your issue and we will assist you. Thank you.
Are you a Live Smart Ohio Author? Log in here!

Categories

  • Food
  • Family and Relationships
  • Money
  • Mind and Body
  • Webinars

Follow us!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
The Ohio State University
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN ECOLOGY
COLLEGE OF FOOD, AGRICULTURAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

© 2025 Live Smart Ohio - Family and Consumer Sciences | The Ohio State University - College of Education and Human Ecology | Accessibility | Privacy Policy

%d