Many slow cookers have a “warm” setting to keep foods hot once cooked. This feature is helpful if you’re not ready to eat your food when it’s done cooking or if you’re having a party and need to keep something warm while people eat. But if you leave your slow cooker on warm for too long, there could be some adverse effects.
Even though the warm setting isn’t as hot as the low or high ones, it’s still warm enough to keep cooking your food slowly. This is fine for 6 hours, but soon after, your food will start to overcook. Juicy, fall-off-the-bone meat will get dry, soups and stews will slowly evaporate and crisp-tender vegetables will turn soggy.
Here’s everything you need to know about the slow cooker’s warm setting to enjoy hot, slow cooker food that always tastes fresh.
Using a crockpot to cook chicken is a convenient way to prepare delicious tender meat. The “warm” setting on a crockpot keeps cooked food at a safe temperature until serving time. However there are important food safety guidelines to follow regarding how long chicken can stay in a crockpot on warm.
Understanding Crockpot Food Safety
Food cooked in a crockpot stays warm for a long time and cooks slowly. The “warm” setting is meant to keep cooked food at 140°F to 165°F, which is the right temperature for serving. This keeps things from cooling down, but it doesn’t keep the heat high enough to kill bacteria.
Leaving food in the “danger zone” between 40-140°F allows bacteria like Salmonella and E coli to rapidly multiply Chicken must be kept above 140°F to limit bacterial growth.
Safe food handling practices say that cooked chicken should only be kept on the warm setting for two to four hours at most. Beyond this time, bacteria may grow to unsafe levels.
Key Factors Affecting Safe Holding Time
Several key factors impact how long chicken can be safely kept warm in a crockpot
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Size: A lot of chicken takes longer to heat through, so it shouldn’t be kept warm for as long.
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Thickness: Thick cuts of chicken, like breasts, hold heat longer than thin cuts.
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Bone content: Bone-in chicken retains heat better than boneless.
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Type of crockpot: Some models maintain warmer temperatures than others.
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Frequent stirring: Stirring helps distribute heat evenly for safer holding.
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Adding liquid: Adding broth/sauce helps food retain heat longer.
No matter the factors, food safety experts warn chicken should never be left on warm for over 4 hours maximum.
Maintaining Proper Temperature
To ensure safe warm holding, check the chicken’s internal temperature with a food thermometer. Insert the probe into the thickest part of chicken.
It must reach 165°F initially, then maintain a consistent 140°F or above during holding on warm. If the temperature drops below 140°F at any point, bacteria may grow rapidly.
Check the temperature often and stir the chicken to make sure the heat is spread out evenly. Do not rely on the warm setting alone to keep chicken safe for long periods of time.
Signs Chicken Has Been Left Out Too Long
If chicken has been sitting in the crockpot on warm for longer than 4 hours, it may be unsafe to eat due to potential bacterial contamination. Look for these signs:
- Strange odor
- Unusual texture – slimy or mushy
- Discoloration
- Change in consistency
When in doubt, remember the phrase “when in doubt, throw it out!” Discard questionable chicken rather than risk foodborne illness.
Safe Alternatives to Prolonged Warm Holding
To keep cooked chicken ready for serving without prolonged use of the warm setting, consider these safer options:
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Cook smaller batches as needed rather than one large batch.
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Refrigerate leftovers right away and reheat only what is needed.
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Use a chafing dish fueled by sternos to keep hot food warm.
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Transfer to oven set at 200°F if available.
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Switch crockpots if you have multiple, so one batch cooks while another holds warm.
Crockpot Food Safety Tips
Follow these tips for safely cooking and holding chicken in a crockpot:
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Always thaw chicken fully before cooking. Never use frozen chicken.
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Cook chicken for the full time required to reach 165°F on high or low.
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Discard chicken left on warm for over 4 hours.
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Check internal temperature regularly with a food thermometer.
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Stir and add broth as needed to maintain moisture and consistent heat.
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Refrigerate leftovers in shallow containers within 2 hours of cooking.
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When reheating leftovers, ensure they reach 165°F.
The Bottom Line
Chicken can be safely held on the warm setting for 2-4 hours max. Monitor the temperature, stir frequently, and discard chicken if left for longer. Refrigeration and reheating leftovers is the safest way to enjoy crockpot chicken without the risk of food poisoning.
How the warm setting on a slow cooker works
The warm setting is designed to keep food at or above 140°F, the USDA’s food-safe standard. Leaving food below this temperature and above 40°F can cause bacteria to grow to dangerous levels. Although many slow cookers are equipped with sensors to ensure this food-safe temperature, use a thermometer to double-check.
“Warm” is different from the low setting, which cooks your food and doesnt just keep it warm. Every slow cooker is different, but warm is about 140°F, while low is about 175°F.
How long can a slow cooker stay on warm?
While food held at 140°F or above is technically safe to eat indefinitely, culinary and kitchen appliance experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute and Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen do not recommend keeping your slow cooker on warm for more than 4 to 6 hours. The quality of your food will start to be negatively affected, which is probably why on many slow cookers, the warm function is programmed to turn off after a certain amount of time. Check the user manual to your appliance for the best guidance.
Can I Reheat Food in My Crock-Pot or Slow Cooker?
FAQ
How long should a slow cooker stay warm?
Most warming settings on slow cookers will maintain food at a temperature of around 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Given how close that temperature is to the “danger zone,” it is recommended that you only keep food on the warm setting on your slow cooker for up to four hours.
Does a slow cooker keep food warm?
You can keep your food warm in your slow cooker until you’re ready to eat it by setting it to “warm.” Just make sure that it’s within four hours of when your food is done cooking. Slow cookers can keep your meal warm until you’re ready to eat it. However, there is a limit to just how long you can safely use the warm setting.
What temperature does a crock pot keep warm?
Crock-Pots have two settings: warm and low. The warm setting keeps food warm (above 140°F), and the low setting cooks food slowly, usually to temperatures between 170°F and 200°F. Can you leave a slow cooker on warm overnight?.
How long should a crockpot Cook in warm mode?
So, it’s imperative to keep your food on WARM mode for a maximum of one to two hours. The warm mode is NOT slow mode Some people might have the idea to cook an 8-hour slow mode stew on WARM mode because they would be gone from the house for more than 12 hours. The crockpots’ WARM mode is not comparable to its SLOW mode.
How does the warm setting on a crock pot differ from the low setting?
How does the warm setting differ from the low setting on a Crock-Pot? The warm setting on a Crock-Pot is designed to keep cooked food warm (above 140°F), while the low setting is used for cooking food slowly, typically reaching temperatures between 170°F and 200°F.
How do you keep food warm on a crock pot?
For a short-term solution, insulated food carriers can also keep food warm, and in a pinch, an electric blanket or heating pad can work, though they’re definitely less reliable for maintaining consistent warmth. How does the warm setting differ from the low setting on a Crock-Pot?.
How long can I leave chicken on warm in the crockpot?
Good Housekeeping Institute and Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen experts say you shouldn’t leave your slow cooker on warm for more than 4 to 6 hours (Feb 28, 2025).
How long can meat sit in a crockpot on warm?
How long can cooked chicken be kept warm?
That means that after chicken is cooked, it must be kept hot (140°F or warmer) to prevent bacteria from growing on your food before you eat or store it in the fridge. Cooked chicken should be refrigerated within no more than 2 hours after cooking or removal from an appliance keeping it warm.
Can I leave chicken in the crockpot on low for 8 hours?
You certainly can, the meat will simply fall to bits, which might be desirable for some recipes like “Chicken and Dumplings” which will take 8–12 hours on …Sep 13, 2019