Slow cookers have made meal preparation easier since the early 1970's. Slow cookers have the advantage of promoting the use of less expensive, less tender cuts of meat such as a chuck roast. The long, slow cooking process tenderizes the meat.

Try This Quiz.

How much do you know about slow cookers and their use?

1. True or False: Using a slow cooker uses less electricity than an oven.
2. True or False: The low cooking temperature allows less expensive meat to tenderize.
3. True or False: You should fill the slow cooker no less than half full and no more than two-thirds full because cooking too little or too much food in the slow cooker can affect cooking time.
4. True or False: Always thaw meat and poultry in the refrigerator before cooking in the slow cooker to help ensure complete cooking.
5. True or False: Keep the lid in place at all times because removing the lid slows cooking time.
6. True or False: If you are not home during the entire slow-cooking process and the power goes out for an undetermined length of time, throw away the food even if it looks done.
7. True or False: You should not reheat food in a slow cooker.
8. True or False: Remove the leftovers from the slow cooker and place in shallow pans and refrigerate.

Answers: 1. True; 2. True; 3. True; 4. True; 5. True; 6. True; 7. True; 8. True.

Try a slow cooker if you have never tried one, or bring your slow cooker out of storage. You and your family will enjoy the food! Visit www.ag.ndsu.edu/foodwise for more tips and recipes. Sign up to have this newsletter delivered to your email by clicking on "Subscribe to FoodWi$e"

By Julie Garden-Robinson, Food and Nutrition Specialist, NDSU Extension Service

Featured in Food Wise November 2014 Newsletter (PDF)