What Temperature Do Slow Cookers Cook At? ‘Crockpot’

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. This can make preparing crockpot and slow cooker recipes confusing. 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!

Slow Cooker Temperatures

Slow cookers are not what they were when first invented, as the technology has advanced since then. While each slow cooker 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 temperatures. 

At the low setting, the internal temperature of a 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.

Slow cookers and crockpots are designed to cook at a safe temperature so for the best results for the delicious meals you will prepare the best temperature is 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!

Changing Slow Cooker Time From Low To High

It’s possible to change the cooking temperature of a slow-cooker from low to a higher temperature. 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.

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.

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 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 cooked covered in the oven for 2 hours at 325 degrees Farenheight.

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

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

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 is the safe way to prepare perishable foods that generally require 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 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.

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	NO
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
Fish Slow Cooking Time (2 lbs or 907g)	3 1/2 hours	1 1/2 hours
Pork Loin Slow Cooking Time (3 – 4 lbs or 1.4 – 1.8 kg)	6 hours	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
Stew Slow Cooking Time (3 lbs or 1.4 kg)	6 hours	4 3/4 hours

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.

Download and Print – Crockpot Conversion Times Chart

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 cook 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 meat thermometer, 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!

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

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 that low and slow temperatures give the best outcome.

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 them. However, I know this article has answered some of the questions you had about your slow cooker. 

You have learned that the slow cooking process can take a long time and uses lower temperatures than other cooking methods. The first hour is the most important, as this is when the cooker reaches its simmering point. Slow cooker models vary slightly with different temperature settings, but typically slow cookers operate between 160 and 200 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 How Slow Cookers Work

One-Pot Cooking Rocks

Citation: Iowa State University