I am slow-cooking steak tips. Is it okay...or even necessary...to open the crock pot during cooking to stir?!
I'm cooking them in a merlot and beef base sauce!. Thanks in advance!Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
It is unnecessary and inadvisable to open a Crock Pot to stir!. Each time the lid is lifted, you need to add about 20 minutes to the cooking time to account for the lost heat!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
The point of crock pot cooking is "add the ingredients and leave it alone"!. The more you open the lid the longer it will take to cook, I have often filled my crock pot, set the temp on low and came back 8 hours later to a wonderful dinner!. A higher temperature setting will accomplish the same results in less time!. also you always need some sort of liquid to cook the foods evenly!. Www@FoodAQ@Com
I cook in my crock pot a lot and no, it is not necessary to stir the beef tips, but it's ok if you want to for some reason!. It's probably best though to just let them cook until time to eat!. With the sauce they won't be sticking to the bottom or sides!. The natural oil from the beef will stop that from happening!. Enjoy your food!. It sounds like it will be delicious!. Www@FoodAQ@Com
That is the best thing about a slow cooker/crock pot!. Set it and forget it!. Everyone in my family starts theirs and leave for work!. No string necessary!. It is okay to stir if you must!. I get itchy hands every time I use mine and stir!. LOLWww@FoodAQ@Com
No need to stir with a crock pot!. If you really want to stir it go ahead but it will slow down the cooking time because it will lose a lot of heat when you open it!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
well i always do when cooking with a crock pot--- it doesn't ruin your food or anything or make it any less tastefull!.!.!. so if you feek you should then yea you can!.!.just do it every hour Www@FoodAQ@Com
Yes I would open to stir occasionally!. You need to make sure the stuff isnt sticking to bottom or sides!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Every time you open the lid you lose heat!. It is not necessary!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
It won't hurt it but crock pots are meant to be left until ready!. Www@FoodAQ@Com