The High and Simmer settings on a Cuisinart slow cooker may seem similar, but they directly control the cooking temperature and time of your meal. The High setting cooks food faster at around 200°F, making it ideal for dishes that need to be ready in 4-6 hours, while the Simmer setting provides a gentler heat of about 180°F for slower cooking over 6-10 hours, perfect for tenderizing meats and melding flavors without overcooking.
Here’s a clear comparison to help you choose the right setting for your next slow-cooked recipe.
Cuisinart Slow Cooker High Setting
The High setting is the go-to choice for getting meals on the table more quickly. By operating at a higher temperature, it brings food to a steady simmer faster and aggressively breaks down ingredients, making it ideal for converting afternoon prep into a finished dinner by evening.
- What it is: A faster cooking function that maintains a temperature of approximately 200°F (93°C).
- Key features: Reaches cooking temperature quickly and maintains a vigorous simmer. Typical cook time is between 4 and 6 hours.
- Best for: Hearty stews, chilis, soups, and shredded chicken that need to be cooked thoroughly in a condensed time frame.
- Pros: Significantly reduces total cooking time. Cooks food safely and effectively. Ideal for last-minute meal planning. Great for recipes with sturdy vegetables and hardy cuts of meat.
- Cons: Can sometimes result in tougher meat if not used with the right cut. Delicate vegetables may become mushy. Less time for complex flavors to develop compared to slower methods.
The High setting is perfect for busy weekdays when you don't have all day for a meal to cook but still want the convenience of a slow cooker.
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Cuisinart Slow Cooker Simmer Setting
The Simmer setting embodies the classic "low and slow" cooking philosophy. It uses a lower, gentler heat to slowly break down food over a long period, which is exceptional for tenderizing tough cuts of meat and allowing the flavors of your ingredients to fully meld together.
- What it is: A long-duration cooking function that maintains a lower temperature around 180°F (82°C).
- Key features: Provides gentle, consistent heat over an extended period. Most recipes require 6 to 10 hours of cooking time.
- Best for: Pulled pork, beef brisket, pot roasts, delicate sauces, and custards. Perfect for set-it-and-forget-it all-day cooking.
- Pros: Produces exceptionally tender, fall-apart meats. Maximizes flavor development. Prevents delicate ingredients from burning or overcooking. Offers more flexibility for all-day cooking schedules.
- Cons: Requires advance meal planning due to long cooking times. Not suitable when you need a meal ready in just a few hours. May not be hot enough for certain recipes that need to reach a higher temperature.
Use the Simmer setting for weekend meals or whenever you have plenty of time to let tough cuts of meat transform into a tender, flavorful showstopper.
Shop this product: cuisinart.com/shopping/appliances/slow_cookers/
Cuisinart High vs. Simmer Setting Comparison
Temperature & Cooking Time
The most significant difference is the cooking environment created by each setting. The High setting on a Cuisinart slow cooker brings the internal temperature to about 200°F, cycling heat more frequently to cook food in just 4 to 6 hours. This accelerated timeline is its main benefit.
Conversely, the Simmer setting maintains a much gentler heat around 180°F. Because of this lower temperature, cooking times are extended to 6 to 10 hours. This slow, steady process gives ingredients more time to break down naturally without being rushed.
Recipe Types & Results
Your choice of setting heavily depends on your recipe. High works best for dishes that can withstand more intense heat, like ground meat chilis, hearty lentil soups, and chicken breasts for shredding. The result is a fully cooked, reliable meal, though it might not have the deep, nuanced flavor that comes from a longer cook time.
The Simmer setting is where a slow cooker truly shines. It’s perfect for large, tough cuts of meat like pork shoulder or chuck roast, transforming them into melt-in-your-mouth tender meals. It is also the ideal choice for delicate items like sauces or custards that might burn or break under higher heat, ensuring a smooth, consistent texture and deeply developed flavor.
Who Each Setting Works Best For
The High setting is an excellent tool for busy individuals and families who want a home-cooked meal without spending a full day waiting for it. If you start your slow cooker at lunchtime, your dinner will be ready on High. It's for people who prioritize speed and convenience but still want a better-than-takeout meal.
The Simmer setting appeals to culinary enthusiasts, meal preppers, and anyone who wants to maximize the tenderness and flavor of their food. It’s perfect for those who can plan ahead, starting their meal in the morning to have it ready for dinner. If your top priority is achieving the best possible texture and taste, especially with meats, Simmer is the way to go.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both settings are great tools in your kitchen arsenal, but they are designed for different scenarios and foods.
Use the High Setting if:
- You have less than 6 hours to get dinner on the table.
- You are cooking soups, stews, or ground meat dishes.
- You need to make shredded chicken quickly for tacos or salads.
- Your recipe specifically calls for it to ensure ingredients cook through safely.
Use the Simmer Setting if:
- Your goal is extraordinarily tender, fall-apart meat like pulled pork or brisket.
- You can let the slow cooker run all day (8+ hours).
- You are making a delicate sauce, custard, or braised vegetables.
- You want to develop the deepest, most complex flavors possible in a dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Cuisinart High and Simmer settings?
The main difference is temperature and cooking time. High cooks faster at a higher temperature (around 200°F), while Simmer cooks slower at a lower temperature (around 180°F), which tenderizes meat more effectively and develops flavor better.
What temperature does a Cuisinart slow cooker on High reach?
The High setting typically stabilizes around 200°F (93°C). The primary goal isn't just a high temperature but getting the contents to a safe simmering temperature more quickly than the lower settings.
What temperature is the Simmer setting on a Cuisinart slow cooker?
The Simmer setting maintains a gentler heat of about 180°F (82°C). This setting is often comparable to the "Low" setting on slow cookers from other brands.
Can you convert a recipe from High to Simmer/Low?
Yes. A general rule is that 1 hour of cooking on High is roughly equivalent to 2 hours of cooking on Simmer or Low. So, a recipe that calls for 4 hours on High would need about 8 hours on Simmer.
Which setting is better for tough cuts of meat?
The Simmer (or Low) setting is almost always better for tough cuts of meat like brisket, chuck roast, or pork shoulder. The extended, gentle cooking process is crucial for breaking down collagen into gelatin, resulting in tender, succulent meat.
Can I leave my Cuisinart slow cooker on Simmer overnight?
Yes. Cuisinart slow cookers are designed to operate safely for extended periods. The Simmer setting is perfect for overnight cooking, especially for recipes like pulled pork or bone broth.
Will food cook faster if I start it on High and switch to Simmer?
Starting on High for the first hour can reduce the total cooking time by getting the ingredients up to temperature faster. After the first hour, you can switch to Simmer to finish the cooking process gently. This is a good trick if you’re slightly short on time.
When should I absolutely use the Simmer setting?
Use the Simmer setting when tenderness is your number one priority, when cooking very lean or delicate cuts that could dry out on High, or for dishes where you want the flavors to slowly meld together over many hours without any risk of scorching.
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