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Slow Cookers - How to Test for Accuracy

Suzanne Driessen

Make sure the food inside your slow cooker or "crockpot" reaches 140°F (or higher) within four hours. This ensures that the cooker is heating correctly and properly to keep food safe to eat.

You can check your slow cooker to make sure it is heating properly by testing it using the following directions:

1. Fill the cooker 1/2 to 2/3 full with one to two quarts of water.
2. Heat on LOW (200°F.) for eight hours.
3. Check the water temperature with an accurate food thermometer. Do this quickly because the temperature drops 10 to 15 degrees when the lid is removed.
4. The temperature of the water should be at least 185° to 200°F.

Temperatures below 185°F indicate that your slow cooker does not heat food high enough or fast enough to avoid possible food safety problems. If your slow cooker doesn't pass this test, don't use it. It's unsafe to use and should be replaced.

Temperature readings above 185°-200°F indicate that a food cooked for 8 hours without stirring would be overdone.

Learn more about using slow cookers safely through INFO-U #768, Slow Cooker Safety. For more information, contact the USDA Meat & Poultry Hotline (1-888-674-6854).