Slow Cooker Temperature and Crock Pot Temperatures Guide

Slow cookers have been around for almost an entire century and are used to cook stews and other foods to perfection. However, several slow cookers have different settings that cook at different temperatures. This can make preparing crockpot and slow cooker recipes confusing. What temperatures do slow cookers have, and how can you know which setting to use?

Slow cookers cook between 190-210 ℉ (88℃) on the “low” setting and 170-300℉ (149℃) on the “high” setting, with a wide range between those temperatures. These temperatures may differ from manufacturer to manufacturer, and you might find a large difference between two separate cookers.

In this article, we will review the different temperature settings, tips to help you use your slow cooker and a list of things you shouldn’t put in your slow cooker. Now, let’s get started!

Slow Cooker Temperatures

Slow cookers are not what they were when first invented, as the technology has advanced since then. While each slow cooker’s temperature setting differs, they usually come with a low setting, medium setting, high setting, and warm setting.

These different settings mean that the cooker will cook at three different slow cooker or crock pot temperatures.

At the low setting, the internal low temperature of a slow cooker is usually around 190℉ (88℃), while at the high setting, the slow cooker’s high temperature will reach around 300℉ (149℃). The medium temperature will be somewhere between these two temperatures.

The keep-warm setting on a slow cooker is 140 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius). For food safety, this is the minimum temperature required to keep your food at a safe internal temperature for consumption.

Slow cookers and crock pots are designed to cook at a safe temperature so for the best results for the delicious meals you will prepare the best temperature is the one your recipe suggests.

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Slow Cooker High vs Low Temperature

Is it better to use the low or high setting when using a slow cooker? The only difference between the HIGH and LOW settings on a slow cooker is how long it takes to reach your desired temperature. The LOW setting will take longer, but most recipes can be cooked at either one!

The Crockpot website informs its consumers that “Crockpot™ Slow Cookers reaches a simmer point of about 209°F and stablizies at this temperature whether use the low of high setting.

Crockpot™

Is It Better to Slow Cook on Low or High?

It is better to slow cook on low to tenderize your meat and ensure root vegetables are soft enough to eat. A low and long slow cooking time also allows ingredients to infuse for deeper, richer flavors.

Learn in-depth how slow cookers work before you start preparing your favorite recipes.

Slow Cooker Low to High-Temperature Conversion Table

Converting cooking times between slow cookers low and high and the oven or stovetop has never been so easy. Use this handy table below.

Low Setting	High Setting
7 hours	3 hours
8 hours	4 hours
9 hours	5 hours
10 hours	6 hours
11 hours	7 hours
12 hours	8 hours

What Is the Equivalent Oven Temperature for a Slow Cooker?

A slow cooker recipe requiring a cooking time of 8 hours at low temperature should be divided by 4. The recipe can then be cooked in the oven for 2 hours at 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

A slow cooker recipe requiring a cooking time of 4 hours at high temperature should be divided by 2. The recipe should be covered in the oven for 2 hours at 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

Slow Cooker on Low Setting 200°F	Slow Cooker on High Setting 300°F	Conventional Oven or Stovetop Slow Cooking
4 – 6 hours	1 1/2 – 2 1/2 hours	15 – 30 minutes
6 – 8 hours	2 – 3 hours	35 – 45 minutes
8 – 12 hours	4 – 6 hours	50 minutes to 3 hours

In my tutorial, learn how to convert slow cooker times.

How to Use a Slow Cooker for Perfect Food Every Time

If you’ve never used a slow cooker, here are some tips to get the best out of it for perfect food every time. Before following these, however, you might want to find a cheap slow cooker cookbook with detailed instructions. 

• Take your ingredients out of the fridge roughly 20 minutes before you want to cook them so they come to room temperature.
• This keeps your food out of the temperature danger zone and is the safe way to prepare perishable foods requiring constant refrigeration.
• Smaller pieces cook faster, but it’s okay to cook whole birds or large pieces of meat like a pot roast. Cook them low and slow for adequate cooking.
• Always use recipes that include a liquid. But you don’t need a lot of liquid when cooking meat because the meat will release its liquid.
• Keep the lid on at all times (unless adding ingredients); otherwise, you’ll increase the cooking time.
• Add all ingredients at the beginning of the cooking time.
• Use flour to thicken your sauces unless you are gluten-free. 
• Cook food on low as much as possible.

Meat Slow Cooking Times

Meat Cut and Weight	Cook Time on Low	Cook Time on High
Beef Brisket Slow Cooking Time (3 – 4 lbs or 1.4-1.8 kg)	8 – 10 hours	N/A
Beef Roast Slow Cooking Time (3 – 4 lbs or 1.4-1.8 kg)	8 hours	5 3/4 hours
Chicken Breast Slow Cooking Time (1 lb or 450g)	6 – 7 hours	3 – 4 hours
Corn Beef and Cabbage	6 – 10 hours	4 – 5 hours
Fish Slow Cooking Time (2 lbs or 907g)	3 1/2 hours	1 1/2 hours
Meat Loaf	8 – 9 hours	4 – 5 hours
Pork Roast Slow Cooking Time (6 – 7 lbs or 2.7 – 3.2 kg)	9 1/2 hours	7 1/3 hours
Poultry Slow Cooking Time (6 lbs or 2.7 kg)	7 1/2 hours	6 1/4 hours
Ribs	6 – 7 hours	3 – 4 hours
Stew Slow Cooking Time (3 lbs or 1.4 kg)	6 hours	4 3/4 hours
Swiss Steak	8 – 10 hours	N/A

Popular Slow Cooker Dishes

Popular Dishes	Cook Time on Low	Cook Time on High
Artichokes	6 – 8 hours	2 – 4 hours
Baked Potato	8 – 10 hours	4 – 5 hours
Casserole	4 – 9 hours	4 – 5 hours
Dry Beans	8 – 10 hours	5 – 6 hours
Pre Soaked Beans	6 – 8 hours	3 – 4 hours
Rice	5 – 9 hours	2 – 3 hours
Soup	6 – 12 hours	2 – 6 hours
Stuffed Peppers	6 – 8 hours	3 – 4 hours
Vegetables	2 – 4 hours	N/A

Slow Cooker Conversion Times

Convert slow cooker times by these guidelines: 1.5-2.5 hours on high and 4-6 hours on low is equal to 15-30 minutes in an oven, 2-3 hours on high and 6-8 hours on low is 35-45 minutes in an oven, and 4-6 hours on high or 8-12 hours on low is 50 minutes to 3 hours in an oven.

How to Ensure Your Food Is Safe To Eat

When preparing meats for consumption, it is necessary to cook them thoroughly in order not to get sick from bacteria or viruses present in the food, so ensure you use the recommended cooking time.

The best way to avoid food poisoning is to use a food thermometer (like this Kizen Instant Read Meat Thermometer). Then it’s not a guessing game with the temperature of the food! With the temperature probe, you’ll never again have to worry about undercooked or overcooked meats.

What Can I Use If I Don’t Have a Slow Cooker?

You can also use a pressure cooker, glass, ceramic, earthenware, or any other heatproof material for casseroles, of course, but I think a cast-iron Dutch oven is the best option. After all, it is the original slow cooker.

For slow cooking, in an oven or on the stovetop, you don’t need to worry about scorching it, and they distribute even heating so your food will cook more evenly, too!

Learn about what slow cooker alternatives you can use if you don’t have a slow cooker one hand – What can I use Instead of a Slow Cooker or Crockpot.

FAQs

What temperature is low on a crock-pot?

A crock pot cooks at 190 degrees Fahrenheit (87 degrees Celsius) on the Low setting.

Can I use my oven as a slow cooker?

You use most conventional ovens as slow cookers, but you must put your recipe in an oven-safe dish, such as glass, ceramic casseroles, cast-iron Dutch ovens, or other Dutch ovens.

Any other cooking pot that is large enough to hold the ingredients and has a lid. Refer to the above table for the correct cooking times. Always remember that low and slow temperatures give the best outcome.

Can you put frozen meat in a slow cooker?

It is not recommended to put frozen meat in a slow cooker. The USDA recommends always thawing meat and poultry before putting it into a slow cooker. Frozen pieces will take longer to reach a safe internal temperature and could result in foodborne illness.

What temperature is low on a slow cooker

At the low setting, the internal temperature of a slow cooker is 190 degrees Fahrenheit (88℃).

Can you reheat food in a slow cooker?

Reheating food in a slow cooker is not recommended. But you can reheat your leftovers in the microwave or stovetop pot and then place them in the cooker cover and set them to the keep warm function.

How do you reheat food in a cooker?

Cooked food can be brought to steaming on the stove or in a microwave oven at 165℉ and then put into a preheated slow cooker to keep hot at 140 degrees Fahrenheit for serving.

What temperature should food be kept warm in a slow cooker or crock pot?

Food should be kept warm in a slow cooker at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA).

Wrap-Up: What Temperature Do Slow Cookers Cook At

If you’ve recently purchased a slow cooker or have had one for a while but have never used it, you may have noticed a bit of a learning curve when it comes to using it. This article has answered some of your questions about your slow cooker, especially the differences between low and high settings. 

You have learned that slow cooking takes a long time and uses lower temperatures than other cooking methods. The first hour is the most important, as this is the time it takes the appliance to reach the simmer point.

Slow cooker models vary slightly with different temperature settings, but typically, slow cookers operate between 160 degrees Fahrenheit and 210 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the perfect temperature range for tougher cuts of meat and root vegetables. Pork shoulder is a great cut of meat to slow cook, as it becomes incredibly tender and juicy when cooked correctly.

Slow cookers are also great for cooking meals while you’re at work. Since they have a long cooking time, you could set up the meal, set it, and forget it, and then once you get home, you’ll have a home-cooked meal! Nothing beats coming home to wonderful food.

Some crockpot recipes call for the slow cooker to be set on low heat and cook for a long time. You will not achieve the best result on a stovetop.

Related read slow cooker alternatives – What can I use Instead of a Slow Cooker or Crockpot.

One-Pot Cooking Rocks!

Citation: Iowa State University