Why You Don't Need to Toss Your Crock-Pot After Watching "This Is Us"
NBC's This Is Us shook America to the core last week with their shocking reveal of what may have caused Jack Pearson's cause of death.
(Spoiler alert!)
After learning a fire started by a second-hand slow cooker with a faulty switch caused Jack's demise, millions of viewers started questioning how safety of their beloved appliance. Some people were ready to toss their slow cookers all together. As a result, Crock-Pot is dealing with a PR nightmare - the brand even started a Twitter account just to address fans' concerns.
While cooking is the number one cause of U.S. home fires, let it be known that the chance of a slow cooker setting your house on fire is extremely slim. Most models don't run above 200-300 watts, making them a relatively low current, low heat appliance. According to the NFPA, there was an annual average of just 70 cooking fires involving slow cookers between 2011 and 2015, which resulted in two civilian injuries and no deaths.
Still, if you feel sudden apprehension at the idea, here are some slow cooker safety tips to follow:
Inspect the cord every time you use your slow cooker
Before you plug it in, take a minute to check both ends of the cord for any frayed or exposed wires. If you spot any, cut the cord and dispose of your appliance immediately - black tape is not a safe remedy.
Keep and store your slow cooker on a flat, stable surface
Make sure the exterior isn't close to any objects, especially flammable items like towels, curtains, or cooking oil. There shouldn't be anything underneath it, and be sure it's no where near your sink or cooktop.
Unplug it when you're not cooking
Keep your slow cooker (and other countertop electric appliances) unplugged any time you aren't using it, and make sure the cord is wrapped neatly and not folded up in a way that will expose wires.
Maintain extreme caution when accepting hand-me-down appliances
Though slow cookers have been around for a long time, technology has improved a lot in recent years - older models don't offer modern safety features like auto shutoff. If you notice any off odors or see that the exterior of your slow cooker feels hotter than it should when in use, unplug it right away and toss it. If there's a chance your slow cooker has spent time in someone's garage, you should probably consider upgrading.
Be sure your smoke detector in your home is working
Check and change the batteries in your smoke detector at least once a year. This is a generally safety tip you should always follow, whether you're a slower cooker user or not!
Follow these simple safety tips and we have no doubt you'll be in good hands cooking "low and slow" on game day. And if you're looking to upgrade to a new slow cooker, check out our top-tested picks from our Kitchen Appliances and Technology lab here.
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