5 hacks to help you get even more from your slow cooker

Using a slow-cooker is one of the easiest, most convenient ways to cook delicious, warm meals. Believe it or not, there are tricks to make your slow cooker experience even easier. Here are 5 of them.

You don't have to only make soups and stews in a slow cooker. It can also be used as a grill to cook hamburgers!

• If you want to use your slow-cooker to cook burgers, simply slice celery and onions and layer them on the bottom of the slow-cooker. Then, season patties of beef and place them on top of the celery and onions. Top the patties with garlic, ketchup and tomato juice and cook on low for about 7 or 8 hours.

Did you know that you can even make cakes with your slow-cooker?

• First, coat your slow-cooker with cooking spray. Then, mix your cake batter, then pour into the slow-cooker. Cook the cake for about one and a half to two hours on high, then turn off once the top appears completely set. To remove the cake, let it cool for a few minutes, then use a knife around the cake's edges to get it out of the cooker. Once it is completely cooled, you can ice the cake and serve.

You can make your own yogurt at home using a slow-cooker. You'll need a gallon of milk, a half of a cup of plain yogurt, and a quarter cup of powdered milk. Pour the milk into the slow-cooker and cook it for about two hours. Once the milk reaches 180 degrees, take the top off and allow it to cool to about 100 degrees. Then mix the plain yogurt and powdered milk into the warm milk mixture. Replace the lid on the slow-cooker, and wrap the entire thing in a blanket. Let the homemade yogurt sit for 6 hours, then sweeten or flavor to your liking.

If you don't have a timer on your slow-cooker, it doesn't mean you have to be home to use it. Instead, simply plug your slow cooker into a timed outlet that is used to turn lamps on and off automatically. Leave the slow-cooker turned on, set to the correct temperature, then set the timer to turn on at the time you want to start cooking and to turn off when you want the slow-cooker to stop cooking. You can use it to have dinner cooked and ready for you when you get home from work!

People often have trouble getting rid of residue and stains that build up in a slow cooker, but it's easy to get it clean with items you probably have in the back of your cupboard. Simply fill the slow-cooker with equal parts vinegar and water and allow it to soak over night. Then pour out the mixture, wipe clean, and rinse. You'll have a slow cooker that looks good as new without adding any potentially harmful chemicals to your meal.

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