What Temperature Do Slow Cookers Cook At?

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 very different temperatures, which can make perfect cooking more of an art, rather than an exact science. What range of temperatures do slow cookers have and how can you know which setting to use?

Slow cookers usually cook at around 190℉ (88℃) on the “low” setting, and 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’ll go over 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!

What Temperature Settings Does a Slow Cooker Have?

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

These different settings mean that the cooker will cook at three different temperatures.

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

Is It Better to Use Low or High Setting On 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!

Changing Slow Cooker Time From Low To High

It’s possible to change the cooking temperature of a slow-cooker from low to high. You can turn it up, and make your cook time shorter. Converting the cooking time is easy – 2 hours on low equals 1 hour on high.

Slow Cooker 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.

Slow Cooker on Low	Slow Cooker on High	Oven or Stovetop
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

Check out this in-depth article about converting slow cooker times – here.

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 covered for 2 hours at 325 degrees Farenheight.

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

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.
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 own 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.
Use the low setting as much as possible.

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

You can also use 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!

Recommened Reading: – Slow cooker alternatives – here

Can I Use My Oven as a Slow Cooker?

You use most conventional ovens as a slow cooker but you will have to put your recipe in an oven-safe dish. Such as glass, ceramic casserole, cast-iron Dutch oven or another type of Dutch oven, or 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 low and slow temperatures give the best outcome.

Conclusion – 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 them. However, we hope this article answers some of the questions you had about your slow cooker.

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.