Slow cookers are one of the most versatile appliances in the kitchen. They can be used for a wide variety of recipes, from simple dinners to elaborate multicourse meals. But which slow cooker setting is best for your needs? Let’s have a breakdown of slow cooker high vs low setting.
Slow cookers come in two flavors: high and low. The high or low setting on a slow cooker is determined by how fast the food cooks. On the high setting, food will cook quicker and be more intense in flavor.
On the low setting, food will cook slower and be less intense in flavor. High-speed cooking produces tender, juicy meats, while low-speed cooking preserves more of the natural flavor and nutrients of the food.
Slow Cooker Heat Settings – Does It Make a Difference?
There are generally two heat settings on a slow cooker: low and high. Most recipes can be cooked on either setting, but the cooking time will be shorter on the high setting. But is there any scientific evidence to back up these claims?
A study by the University of Utah found that the low setting on a slow cooker produced the most tender and moist meat, while the high setting resulted in tougher and drier meat.
However, this study was conducted using beef roasts, so it’s unclear whether these results would be the same for other types of meat. Another study by Kansas State University found that using the low setting resulted in significantly more tender and juicy chicken breasts than using the high setting.
The researchers also found that using a slow cooker with a probe thermometer produced even more tender chicken breasts than those cooked on the low or high settings. So yes, it does make a huge difference!

Crockpot & Slow Cooker High or Low: Which is Better to Cook?
Slow cookers and Crockpots are convenient appliances for cooking food, and there are different settings to choose from based on what you are cooking. One of the most common settings is high, which cooks food quickly.
Low is another option that cooks food slowly over a longer period. So, which is the best setting for your slow cooker – high or low?
High is the best setting for foods that need to be cooked quickly, such as chicken breasts or pork chops. Low is the better setting if you are cooking a dish that requires more time to cook, like a roast or stew.
The low setting will also prevent your food from burning if you are away from home or occupied with other tasks.
So, whether you are cooking a quick meal or a dish that needs more time to cook, remember that there is the right setting for your slow cooker.
Benefits of Slow Cooker on High Temperature:
A slow cooker is a great appliance to have in your kitchen, especially if you like to cook meals ahead of time. However, did you know that you can also use your slow cooker at high temperatures?
This setting can come in handy when you need to cook a dish quickly. Here are some benefits of using your slow cooker at high temperature:
A crockpot or slow cooker can be a great way to quickly cook meats and vegetables. Setting the temperature to high allows you to cook food faster than you would on a stovetop. It is beneficial for busy weeknights when you don’t have much time to cook.
- Fast Cooking: Mostly, it’s take more time cook any type of meats. But with high temp on a crockpot or slow cooker, it can be used to quickly cook meats and vegetables more than slow setting.
- Make Soften Food: If you want to cook dried beans or grains quickly, high temp can be used to soften dried beans or grains. This will help to reduce the cooking time and make them more tender.
- Make Sauce & Dip: Sometimes we are hurry and need to make sauces and dip quickly. So, you can make any sauces quickly on your slow cooker at a high cooking setting.
- Quick Reheat: Are you hungry and need to reheat your food quickly? Well, A slow cooker at high temperature can be used to reheat food quickly without losing any nutrients or flavor.
Benefits of Slow Cooker on Low Temperature:
Cooking food at low temperatures in a slow cooker is a healthy way to prepare meals. When food is cooked slowly at a low temperature, it retains more of its nutrients than when it is cooked at a high temperature.
Here are some benefits of using your slow cooker at low temperature:
- Cook Properly: A slow cooker at low temperature also ensures that the food is cooked evenly and that there is no risk of undercooked or overcooked food. Also, it is an easy way to cook food without having to use a lot of oil or any other spices.
- Reduce Fat: If you don’t like Fat in your content, you should cook slowly. So, a crockpot at a low heat setting helps in reducing the fat content in your food and keeping it healthy.
- No Nutrients Lose: It also preserves the nutrients in the food, making it an ideal choice for those on a healthy diet. It makes food taste delicious and is an economical way to cook.
- Save Energy & Money: The slow cooker at low temperature conserves energy so that you can save on your electricity bill. It is a great way to cook your food and save money simultaneously.
More Read: Slow Cooker Lid Won’t Close: What’s Wrong With It?

Is It Better to Put Slow Cooker on High and Low?
When it comes to slow cookers, there are two main temperature options: high and low. But what’s the difference between the two? And which one is better for your needs?
Slow cooker high is best for dishes that need a shorter cooking time. For example, if you’re making chicken breasts, they’ll cook for about four hours in a high setting.
On the other hand, a Slow cooker low is better for dishes that need a longer cooking time. For example, if you’re making a pot roast, it’ll cook for eight hours on low.
Another thing to consider is how much heat your slow cooker emits. Some models have high and low settings but also have a warm setting in between.
If you want your food to stay at a constant temperature, you’ll want to use the warm setting instead of the low or high setting.
See More: Crock Pot Smells Like Burning Plastic – Causes & Solutions
Which Burns More Calories: High or Low in a Slow Cooker?
It is a common belief that high temperature in slow cookers results in more calories burned. However, a study conducted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln revealed that low temperature burns more calories.
The study was undertaken to find the most energy-efficient way to cook food in a slow cooker.
The researchers found that while the low-temperature setting did take longer to cook food, it resulted in more calories being burned. The low-temperature setting burned up to 70% more calories than the high-temperature setting.
This is because when food is cooked at a lower temperature, it takes longer for the moisture inside to escape. As this moisture escapes, it creates heat which cooks the food from the inside out.
So if you’re looking to reduce your calorie intake, opt for the low-temperature setting on your slow cooker!
The Best Way to Use a Slow Cooker: High or Low?
When it comes to using a slow cooker, there are two main ways to do it: high or low. The high setting is for dishes that need to cook quickly, while the low setting is for dishes that need more cooking time.
Some people might think that the low setting is better because it cooks food more slowly and evenly, but the high setting can be used for dishes like soup or stew that don’t need to be cooked slowly.
If you put too much liquid in a dish and set it to low, the liquid can evaporate, and the dish will be dry. The best way to use a slow cooker depends on what you’re cooking. If you’re unsure which setting to use, start with high and switch to low if necessary.
Some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s):
The difference between a slow cooker’s high and low is the temperature. A slow cooker set to high will cook at a temperature of around 300 degrees Fahrenheit, while a slow cooker set to low will cook at a temperature of around 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
It depends on the recipe and ingredients. Some recipes may require longer cooking times on low, so if you’re in a hurry, switching your slow cooker from low to high is perfectly fine. Just be aware that the food will cook more quickly, so keep an eye on it. Otherwise, you’ll end up with overcooked food.
There’s no definitive answer to this question, as it depends on what you’re using the curling iron for. A high setting will give you tighter curls, while a low setting will produce looser curls.
A crockpot is a type of slow cooker and pressure cooker. This means you can use a crockpot as a slow cooker and a pressure cooker. Crockpots are usually more expensive and have a removable insert that can go in the dishwasher. Both cookers are suitable for cooking any food.
Slow cookers are great for cooking large quantities of food. To use a slow cooker, add your ingredients to the pot, set the temperature, and let it cook. The slow cooker will keep your food warm until you’re ready to eat.
Conclusion:
In the battle of slow cooker high vs low, the high setting is better for dishes that need a longer cook time, like roasts or stews. Although high can work, it can be risky because the food can overcook or burn.
The low setting is better for dishes that need a shorter cook time, like soup or chicken breasts. So, next time you’re using your slow cooker, be sure to adjust the setting according to the cooking time of the dish you’re making!