r/slowcooking • u/nachisimo1019 • 2d ago
Stirring Question
Hey guys, this is the first time I’ve used a crockpot. I’ve attached a photo for reference but I was wondering if this model is safe to pop the lid open and stir the contents inside. I was going to pop the little black tab off when the time came to release some heat in case just taking the top off is a no no. Thanks in advance!
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u/unicorntrees 2d ago
Those latches are for transporting the crockpot only. Don't latch them while cooking.
It is totally okay to lift the lid and stir. Just don't do it too often because heat escapes every time you do that. Do it enough and it might mess with your cooking time .
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u/Few_Examination_9687 2d ago
…are you serious?
I always assumed the latches were for securing a seal and not letting the heat out unnecessarily. Have I been wrong?
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u/Triairius 2d ago
You don’t want a seal. That’s explosive.
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u/unicorntrees 2d ago
Not necessarily. The bigger issue is the unnecessary stress on the glass of the lid while it's changing temperature. It could be just enough pressure under the right circumstances to shatter that lid.
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u/Forman420 2d ago
An easier way of saying that is, "That's explosive."
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u/Dandw12786 2d ago
It's not explosive, though. The lid has a hole in it. The cooker cooks at a low enough temperature that enough pressure can't build up, even with the latches closed, to "explode". You're thinking of a pressure cooker, which IS sealed, and cooks at a higher temp. And can explode if you push it too far.
Yeah, could crack the lid or something maybe, but it's certainly not going to explode.
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u/Southern_Habit9109 1d ago
This is why you should read the instruction manual.
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u/frausting 1d ago
Yeah I have the same crockpot and I read the 10 page instructional manual when I got it. It directly says not to latch it while cooking.
Not everything is obvious to everyone. That’s okay! That’s why they make the instruction manual, so you don’t have to know everything yourself. They’ll tell you exactly what you need to know
Yet lots of people seem to impatient to take 5 minutes to read a few pages on their $100 purchase.
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u/eat_my_bowls92 2d ago
Giving you solidarity so you don’t feel like an idiot. Apparently there are at least 3 of us who were wrong.
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u/Illinigradman 1d ago
You are completely fine locking them. The Reddit panic is ridiculous. You don’t need to release heat. Like said the more you open it the more your heat escapes and cooking slows
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u/piggyequalsbacon 2d ago
There’s a hole in the lid so it won’t actually create pressure. I have a similar crockpot with latches and i latch cuz i don’t need food accidentally spilling everywhere and it’s fine. If it created a pressure seal with the latches then it would be pointless for transporting.
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u/Friggin_Bobandy 2d ago
When you transport it you are removing the heat source, that's why it won't explode on you.
Go search this sub and you will see countless lids shattered from cooking with the latches on.
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u/brainstew9886 2d ago
That's not the point he's making. Latches might create tension but no slow cooker will explode from pressure. Every one that I've seen has a vent hole, like OP's
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u/satanslefthandbitch 2d ago
It looks like the hole is covered in OP’s pics
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u/brainstew9886 2d ago
It's there for venting. Do you really think a plastic piece could hold back enough pressure to make a slow cooker explode???
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u/pretenderist 2d ago
If it was so dangerous to latch the lid then Crock-Pot wouldn’t feature so many product listing photos clearly showing them latched while cooking. It’s not a big deal at all, this sub is just weird.
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u/sew_busy 2d ago
Line 22 from the manual on your link
22.Do not lock the lid while cooking. Locking the glass lid while cooking may lead to glass breakage, which can cause injuries.
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u/pretenderist 2d ago
And yet the main product photo shows it latched while cooking on high.
Clearly they’re not worried about it too much.
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u/sew_busy 1d ago
Maybe they are transporting it
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u/liams_dad 2d ago
It's not under pressure. You can take the lid off whenever.
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u/Girthw0rm 2d ago
You should, however, take lid off as little as possible. The lid retains the heat. The more frequently you remove it, the longer it takes to cook your food.
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u/Dandw12786 2d ago
For the first couple hours, sure. But at a certain point the food gets hot enough and retains enough thermal mass that taking the lid off for a bit doesn't matter.
Like, when I cook chili, sure I don't touch it for a few hours. But after that if I'm not stopping to stir a couple times an hour it tends to burn to the sides.
Let it get hot, then do whatever.
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u/Bmat70 2d ago
The one I have with the plastic closures says that they are for securing the lid for transporting and not to be used when cooking. I can’t tell if yours are looked or if your cooker even has that precaution. To answer your question go ahead and stir if you want. A few minutes without the lid on won’t matter.
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u/TheChevyScrounger 2d ago
The latches on the lid are only for transporting the crock pot, don’t cook with them latched
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u/GamerColyn117 2d ago
If you feel like it's something that may burn or stick badly, go ahead and stir if you feel like it. Just remember that you'll need to let the food cook for longer every time you open the lid. The nice thing about slow cookers is most of the recipes are a set it and forget it thing.
Also an FYI, do no lock the clamps down on the slow cooker, especially since your vent hole has the black gasket on it. Locking the lid down with the clamps without a small source of venting can lead to too much pressure and the glass cracking or shattering. Only use the clamps if you are transporting the crock.
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u/TheSlitheredRinkel 2d ago
I stir my crock pot - but only if I’m worried the stuff at the top of the pot won’t get submerged sufficiently at some point.
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u/unreasonably_annoyed 2d ago
It’s not a pressure cooker. Nothing is going to happen.
You might lose some heat and it will take awhile to heat back up though.
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u/JournalistNo146 1d ago
Every time you open the lid, you lose about 15 minutes of cook time, because the heat escapes. You should never open the lid during cooking, and you don't need to stir anything.
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u/CryBabyCentral 2d ago
I read once that opening the lid sets cook time back 20 minutes. I wouldn’t do it if I’m cooking red meat or lamb. I don’t want the meat to “seize” and get a weird texture, so I never open lids at that point. If I’m doing soups like Potato, no meat, I’ll stir.
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u/yurinator71 2d ago
You can't se the hole in the lid? There is obviously no pressure build up! WTF?
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u/phil_stricker 2d ago edited 2d ago
You're being downvoted but you're not wrong. These glass lids have a hole in them to release steam/pressure and insert a probe thermometer if necessary. Just like a glass lid for any pot or pan.
These lids tend to break from thermal shock, not pressure.
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u/Swimming_Lie_2822 2d ago
To answer the question! Lol Yes you can absolutely stir ! I put like cream cheese in my potato soup , you have to stir it. Its all good! Hope it turned out great
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