Slow Cooker

Pollycat

I wouldn't put warm food in the fridge to cool it down.
I portion out into plastic containers then let them stand on the worktop without putting a lid on.

joedenise

Pollycat said:

I wouldn't put warm food in the fridge to cool it down.
I portion out into plastic containers then let them stand on the worktop without putting a lid on.

That's what I do too.  I don't cover the containers completely, ie put lid on at an angle so that the steam can escape.  I then cover the containers with a mesh umbrella to keep the flies off.  Think the mesh umbrella cost me about 50p in the local  "bits and pieces" shop!  Well worth the money in my view.  (Amazon do a set of 6 for £8.49 so have obviously gone up since I bought mine!).

Sky_

I also wouldn't put hot food into a fridge.  It will warm up the contents of the fridge and encourage bacteria growth. The heat could even damage your fridge if you're unlucky.

In warm weather I use cold water in the sink to cool hot food down. I put some water (and ice cubes if I have them) in the sink, then stand the slow cooker inner pot (mine is a thin metal pot, rather than a ceramic crockpot), or well sealed containers in the water, to rapid-cool the food. The food can then be chilled in the fridge before being frozen. 

Food poisoning is no fun and the best way to avoid it is to cool food as rapidly as possible. I later use most of the water to fill up a watering can to avoid waste.

goldfinches

joedenise said:

Pollycat said:

I wouldn't put warm food in the fridge to cool it down.
I portion out into plastic containers then let them stand on the worktop without putting a lid on.

That's what I do too.  I don't cover the containers completely, ie put lid on at an angle so that the steam can escape.  I then cover the containers with a mesh umbrella to keep the flies off.  Think the mesh umbrella cost me about 50p in the local  "bits and pieces" shop!  Well worth the money in my view.  (Amazon do a set of 6 for £8.49 so have obviously gone up since I bought mine!).

Snap, this is exactly what I do. I bought my net umbrella food cover thingy from Dunelm in the January sale a while ago for around about a pound so it might be worth checking their website if you need one.

bouicca21

I suspect the fridge or not decision comes down to how hot the kitchen is.  In the current weather my south facing kitchen is unbearably hot.  Food left out would quickly go off, so into the fridge it is as soon as it stops steaming.

Katiehound

I just want to add that you don't need 'branded anything' in your SC. I use own brand stock pots & stock cubes: way cheaper.
 The only recipes I have seen say that you need enough liquid to cover the contents but I usually stir it all part way through, I remember something stuck- think it was a satay type .
I slice my carrots & onions rather than dice and anything looking a bit sad goes in. 

the dish I like best so far- not had the SC long - is bone in chicken thighs with lemon & thyme. Fill the SC and then freeze the extra portions- makes a nice change to find something in the freezer that isn't raw!!

I never put hot food in the fridge- it won't do the fridge or the other food in there any good. This hot weather I would cool things rapidly in their plastic containers in a bowl of cold water. perhaps if your kitchen is really hot you could put your cooling things in a different (cooler) room.

P933alilli

Thanks again! Ive just had my first portion with a baked potato and peas! It was ok'ish but not great. But it was definitely cooked and the meat was tender and fell apart when i poked it with the thermometer which shot up to 72 deg c when the alarm went off.
   After eating i then put two portions into separate containers. I dont think i chopped enough carrots and parsnips so there only looked like there was enough for three portions in total. I'm terrible at guaging proportions though , one box was 2/3 rd's full with the other 1/3rd full. I stood them on the kitchen top for 15 mins then placed in cold water for another 5 mins. They were just slightly tepid when i put them in the freezer.
   Finally, i suppose i defrost overnight in the fridge when i want my next meal? And do i reheat in the microwave?

joedenise

Yes you can defrost overnight in the fridge and  reheat in the microwave.

maman

Yes, if you know in advance what you plan to eat then defrost overnight. You can reheat in the microwave or on the hob. If you decide at the last minute then defrost in the microwave. 

I'm interested in why it was just OKish? Is it flavour or still tough? Maybe you need more seasoning?

I mainly use my SC for batch cooking Bolognese sauce and chilli. I use mince and loads of vegetables and just throw everything in. I don't brown the meat or use flour. I sometimes make a veggie chilli too. They work every time. Perfect HM ready meals.

P933alilli

It wasnt tough , it needs more flavour/seasoning!