Crock Pot and Slow Cooker Food Safety

This document from Clemson has some important tips for cooking safely with your crock pot or other slow cooker.

To determine if a slow cooker will heat to a safe temperature:

1. Fill cooker with 2 quarts of water.
2. Heat on low for eight hours or desired cooking time.
3. Check the water temperature with an accurate thermometer (quickly because the temperature drops 10 to 15° when the lid is removed).
4. The temperature of the water should be 185 ° F. Temperatures above this would indicate that a product cooked for eight hours without stirring would be overdone. Temperatures below this may indicate the cooker does not heat food high enough or fast enough to avoid potential food safety problems.

I think I'll go home and try this tonight. I want to cook up some chili!

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