Using your good old reliable crock pot can save you plenty of time and cash, but if your model is aging, give it a test. Bacteria can grow when food is kept under 140 degrees F for four hours or more. Test your crock pot dish after three hours on low and see if it's actually getting to that temperature. If it's not, it's time for a new crock pot.
It's also a good idea to jack the dial up to HIGH for the first hour to bring the food up to 140 as quickly as possible. You can adjust it after that and continue on low until finished. A crock pot in good working condition should be able to maintain 140 degrees F for the rest of the cooking cycle. Let's be careful out there, crockpotters!
By Candy Killion from Hollywood, FL
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Great idea to check it periodically.
I also bring all my food to temp on the stove top first, then add to my crock pot. This also helps speed up the process a bit.
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