Can I put a hot crockpot in the fridge?

In this article, we will answer the question “Can I put a hot crockpot in the fridge?”, and what to know before storing a crockpot in the fridge?

Can I put a hot crockpot in the fridge?

No, you cannot put a hot crockpot in the fridge. You must let it cool before storing it in the fridge. Otherwise, the ceramic plate will break and disintegrate. This will render your food unfit for consumption.

According to experts, salmonella bacteria can readily spoil hot food in the refrigerator. Moreover, sudden changes in temperature will alter the food’s texture. 

Can I safely put a crockpot in the fridge?

You cannot put an entire crockpot in the fridge. The cold and moist environment of the fridge will damage the electrical parts and wires of the crockpot.  A fire may also result.  However, the removable ceramic insert can safely go into the fridge. It is great for storing food.

What to know before storing a crockpot in the fridge?

Let the crockpot cool first

As discussed in the article above, the ceramic should never be placed in the fridge while It is still hot. The temperature fluctuation will cause It to break making your food unusable.

Remove the main electrical base

The electrical base of the crockpot should never go in the oven. The cold and humid environment of the fridge will damage its parts.

Gently heat up before reheating 

Avoid temperature fluctuations at all costs. Just like you did earlier before putting the ceramic plate in the fridge after It cooled down. Before reheating, you need to let the plate come to room temperature first. This will ensure that no breaking or cracking occurs.

Don’t over refrigerate 

Removing the ceramic plate from the fridge and then putting it back in the fridge, If repeated multiple times, will cause your ceramic plate to break and crack rendering it unstable.

Don’t freeze

The ceramic plate is not designed to withstand the freezing temperature. Therefore, It should never go in the freezer.

5 safety rules of slow cookers

Only use the slow cooker on a countertop or other flat, safe surface

The slow cooker should always sit on a flat surface away from the sink or window. Make sure that the cord should not be stuck under the bottom of the slow cooker. 

In addition to that, the vent hole on the lid should be turned such that It is facing out towards the center of the kitchen instead of the wall or top kitchen cabinet.

Use a programmable slow cooker

If you are mostly away when your food is being cooked, your best bet is to invest in a programmable slow cooker. It will cook your food for a set amount of time and temperature. 

Once the food is cooked, these slow cookers automatically switch to a ‘Keep Warm’ setting. This keeps your food warm without dropping its temperature to unsafe levels.

Understand the do’s and don’ts of frozen foods

Defrost your frozen food before putting it in the slow cooker. This will make sure all the ingredients reach the desired cooking temperature within the set cooking time which is safe. 

You can either defrost your frozen ingredients overnight in the fridge or in the microwave If you are in a hurry. Your food should reach a temperature of 140℉within 2 hours of cooking to ensure safety.

Thoroughly test vintage slow cookers before using 

It might be tempting to buy antique slow cookers at low prices. However, make sure you check its calibration and whether Its heating elements are in working condition or not. 

To do this, fill the cooker with tepid water ⅔ or ¾ of its capacity. Set it to a low setting. The thermometer should read 185℉ after 8 hours.

Correctly store(and reheat)leftovers 

The insert of the cooker while It is still hot, should never go in the fridge or freezer for storage. Let it come to room temperature within 2 hours of cooking.  It is recommended to not reheat food in the slow cooker to ensure safety.

Instead, reheat your leftovers on the stove. A refrigerated insert of the slow cooker should never be placed in the heating base. This will make the ceramic break and crack while the safety of the food is compromised.

Can I open my slow cooker to stir?

It is recommended not to stir your food while It is cooking in the slow cooker unless It specifically says so in the recipe. Because the slow cooker is designed to properly and evenly cook food without having the need to stir. 

Plus when you open the lid to stir, the cooker loses a considerable amount of heat and steam, thus increasing the cooking time.

Conclusion

In this article, we answered the question “Can I put a hot crockpot in the fridge?”, and what to know before storing a crockpot in the fridge?

References

https://www.thekitchn.com/the-5-safety-rules-of-slow-cookers-224313
https://expandusceramics.com/qa/will-hot-ceramic-crack-in-fridge-2.html

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