Tiffany Haney
The Crock-Pot Express Multi-Cooker is a versatile appliance that can pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, and even sterilize, all in one. It has 9 pre-set pressure cooker buttons for various types of food, including Meat/Stew, Beans/Chili, Rice/Risotto, and Soup. The cooker does not weigh or measure the contents placed inside, so the buttons are just pre-set, suggested cooking times. To use the cooker, you must ensure that the lid is securely locked in place and that there is enough liquid inside to generate steam, which is necessary for the cooker to build pressure. Once the cooker has been set up and filled with ingredients, simply set the timer and let the cooker do the rest.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Functions | Slow cook, pressure cook, brown/saute, steam, cook rice, yogurt |
| Settings | One-touch meal settings, manual settings |
| Capacity | 5.7 litres |
| Ease of use | Easy to clean, dishwasher safe |
| Time | Cooks food 70 times faster |
| Safety | Two steam vents, one is a weighted vent which serves as a safety feature |
| Troubleshooting | Refer to the Crockpot Express Cooking Guide, contact Crockpot Customer Service |
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What You'll Learn
Using the Crock Pot Express for slow cooking
The Crock-Pot Express Crock Multi-Cooker is a versatile machine that can be used for various cooking tasks, including slow cooking. Here's a guide on how to use the Crock-Pot Express for slow cooking:
Preparing the Crock-Pot Express for Slow Cooking
Before starting, ensure that the Crock-Pot Express is set up correctly for slow cooking. This includes:
- Using the correct lid: The Crock-Pot Express comes with two lids. For slow cooking, use the glass lid, which is designed for cooking without pressure.
- Setting the pressure valve: During slow cooking, the pressure valve should be set to the "release" position to prevent pressure buildup.
- Filling the cooking pot: When slow cooking, it is recommended to fill the Cooking Pot to one-third to two-thirds full for optimum cooking results. This ensures that your food cooks evenly and prevents overfilling or underfilling the pot.
Selecting the Slow Cooking Settings
The Crock-Pot Express allows you to customize your slow cooking experience:
- Temperature settings: You can choose between LOW and HIGH slow cooking settings to match the requirements of your recipe.
- Cooking time: The digital display lets you set the cooking time conveniently. You can select up to 20 hours of cooking time in 30-minute intervals.
- Keep Warm setting: After the cooking time is complete, the Crock-Pot Express automatically switches to the Keep Warm setting, maintaining the temperature of your food until you're ready to serve.
Tips for Slow Cooking
To enhance your slow cooking experience:
- Browning/Sautéing: If you prefer to brown or sauté your ingredients before slow cooking, you can use the "Brown/Sauté" function first and then switch to slow cooking.
- Lid usage: While slow cooking, ensure that the lid is locked in place to prevent steam from escaping. However, leave the lid off when using the "Brown/Sauté" setting.
- Timer feature: Take advantage of the Timer feature to delay the start of the cooking process. This is especially useful if you want your meal to be ready at a specific time.
- Cleaning: Slow cooking can sometimes make cleanup more challenging. Consider using slow cooker liners, which are plastic bags that line the slow cooker during cooking, making it easier to dispose of the mess afterward.
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How to cook meat
The Crock-Pot Express Multi-Cooker is a slow cooker and a pressure cooker with additional features like steaming, keeping food warm, browning, and sautéing. It has eight built-in preset buttons, including one for meat/stew.
When cooking meat, it is important to note that the toughness and dryness of the meat will depend on the temperature it reaches during cooking. As you do not have much control over the temperature with a Crock-Pot, it is recommended to choose cuts of meat that retain their moisture well. For example, chicken thighs work better than chicken breasts. Other good choices are stewing beef, pork shoulder, or shank muscle.
- Pour some oil into the bottom of the cooker.
- Turn on the Crock-Pot Express and press Brown/Sauté.
- Adjust the time to 5 minutes and press Start.
- Place the meat in the oil and keep the lid off.
- Halfway through the cooking time, flip the meat and spread garlic on the cooked side.
- After searing the meat, you can add other ingredients like vegetables, broth, or wine.
- Place the lid on in the locked position and flip the steam release valve to the sealed position.
- Select the Meat/Stew setting, which will bring up a 35-minute timer. Adjust the time as needed, depending on the type and amount of meat.
- Press Start.
- When the timer is up, let the pressure release on its own for a few minutes before moving the pressure release valve to the open position with a cooking utensil to avoid steam burns.
You can also cook a whole chicken in your Crock-Pot Express and use the meat for various recipes and the bones to make chicken broth. Additionally, there are several online resources and cookbooks with recipes and tips specifically for the Crock-Pot Express, which can be helpful for beginners.
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Cooking chicken
Crock Pot Express Whole Chicken
To cook a whole chicken in your Crock Pot Express cooker, first, press the BROWN/SEAR function and set the time for 6 minutes. Allow the cooker to preheat, and while you're waiting, rub a mixture of paprika, thyme, and seasoning over the outside of the chicken. Once the cooker is preheated, add oil to the pot and place the chicken inside breast-side down. Turn the chicken halfway through so both sides brown evenly. Next, add garlic, lemon juice, and chicken stock to the pot, and secure the lid. Press START/STOP and cook on the POULTRY setting for 30 minutes. After the cooker has finished, allow it to release pressure naturally for 10 minutes. Carefully remove the chicken and place it on a warmed plate.
Crock Pot Express Chicken Breasts
The Crock Pot Express cooker can also be used to cook chicken breasts. Pour chicken broth into the cooking pot and place the chicken breasts inside. Try to keep the chicken breasts a similar size so they cook evenly. Close the lid, turn the steam release valve to closed, and press "Steam." Set the time depending on the size and temperature of your chicken breasts—for frozen or large/thick breasts, cook for 10 minutes; for fresh, small breasts, cook for 6-8 minutes. After cooking, allow a full natural pressure release for about 10 minutes. Remove the chicken and cut it into pieces or shred.
Tips
- If you're cooking huge chicken breasts (12 oz or larger), increase the cooking time by 5-10 minutes.
- To prevent overcooked chicken, check the temperature of the chicken breasts early and remove them when they reach 160°F. Let the chicken rest for 15 minutes (until it reaches 165°F) before shredding.
- For juicy shredded chicken, stir the shredded chicken back into the broth and juices in the pot before serving.
- If you want a golden, crispy skin on your whole chicken, broil it after cooking or use an air fryer/crisper lid.
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Making soup
The Crock-Pot Express is a great appliance to make hearty soups with minimal effort. It is especially useful when you want to throw everything into the slow cooker and come back to a warm, ready-to-eat meal. Here are some tips and tricks for making soup in your Crock-Pot Express:
Preparation
Before you start, ensure that your Crock-Pot Express is set up correctly and that you have installed the silicone gasket properly to avoid any steam leaks. Use wooden spoons to stir your soup to avoid scratching the non-stick finish.
Recipes
There are a variety of soup recipes that can be made in the Crock-Pot Express, including chicken noodle soup, loaded baked potato soup, taco soup, and more.
Chicken Noodle Soup
For a quick and easy chicken noodle soup, you will need:
- 2-3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast
- 7 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp fresh ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon tarragon
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1/2 bag baby carrots, chopped into thirds
- 3 stalks celery, chopped
- 8-10 oz noodles (either wide egg noodles or homestyle noodles)
- 1 tub Knorr chicken flavoring
Season the chicken with salt and pepper, and chop the vegetables. Add the broth, salt, pepper, tarragon, onion, carrots, celery, chicken, and Knorr chicken flavoring to the pressure cooker. If using homestyle noodles, add them as well. Close the lid and set to "Beans/Chili" mode for 7 minutes. If using wide egg noodles, cook them separately. Once the soup is cooked, release the steam, open the lid, and use two forks to separate the chicken in the pot.
Loaded Baked Potato Soup
For a comforting and creamy potato soup, gather the following ingredients:
- Potatoes
- Onion
- Garlic
- Thyme
- Oregano
- Red pepper flakes
- Salt
- Pepper
- Cream of potato soup
- Evaporated milk
- Half-and-half
- Sour cream
- Cheese
- Bacon
Add the potatoes, onion, garlic, thyme, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, cream of potato soup, evaporated milk, and half-and-half to the Crock-Pot Express. Stir to combine. Place the lid on the multicooker, turn the vent to "Sealing," and lock it into place. Set the pressure cooker on "Manual" and "High Pressure" for 10 minutes. Press "Start." While the soup is cooking, cook the bacon in a frying pan until crispy, then drain and chop it. Once the soup is cooked, carefully move the vent to "Venting" and release the steam.
Taco Soup
For a quick and easy taco soup that can be frozen for later, you will need:
- Ground beef
- Onion
- Ranch dressing mix
- Taco seasoning
- Salt
- Pepper
- Corn
- Diced tomatoes
- Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chiles)
- Pinto beans
- Water
Brown the ground beef first, then add all the ingredients except the water to a large bowl and stir to mix. Transfer the mixture to a round freezer container that fits inside the Crock-Pot Express. Add 1 cup of water to the inner pot of the Crock-Pot Express. Place the container in the water, close and lock the lid, and close the steam release valve. Press "Soup" and set for 10 minutes. After the cooking cycle is done, allow for a natural pressure release of at least 10 minutes, then carefully release any remaining steam.
Customization
Feel free to customize your soups by adding extra vegetables, spices, or proteins. You can also thicken your soup by whisking together flour or cornstarch with milk and adding it to the soup along with any dairy products and cheeses.
Enjoy your homemade Crock-Pot Express soups!
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Adjusting pressure settings
The Crock-Pot Express Multi-Cooker has a pressure adjust button that allows you to select your desired cooking pressure (high or low). Each pre-set cooking setting automatically selects the optimum pressure for that selection, but it can be manually adjusted with the pressure adjust button.
To use the pressure cooking function, you need to ensure there is enough liquid in the pot to boil and generate steam. One cup or 8 oz of liquid (water, chicken broth, etc.) is usually enough to successfully build pressure.
The Crock-Pot Express will naturally release pressure when the cooking cycle is complete. Wait at least 10 minutes after cooking, and then, using a kitchen utensil, flick the tab on the Steam Release Valve to the "Release" position.
Do not use the Quick Pressure Release Method when cooking foods with high liquid content (soups, stews, etc.). For these, use the Natural Release Method, waiting at least 10 minutes after cooking is complete to rotate the Steam Release Valve.
For large roasts, use 5-10 minutes on high pressure, then let the pressure release on its own for 15-45 minutes, depending on the size and type of meat and your desired doneness.
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Frequently asked questions
To lock the lid, place the lid on the cooker and turn it counterclockwise, aligning the downward-facing arrow on the lid with the locked symbol.
Wait at least 10 minutes after cooking is complete, then use a kitchen utensil to flick the tab on the Steam Release Valve to the "Release" position. Do not use the Quick Pressure Release Method when cooking foods with high liquid content, such as soups or stews. Instead, use the Natural Release Method.
No, you cannot sear meat using the meat setting, which is a pressure cook setting. To sear meat, use the Saute setting with the lid off.
