Bundt cakes make excellent centerpieces or celebration cakes, since they have a more intricate and interesting design than regular cakes. However, the design of bundt cake means that unlike springform cake pans, sticking often becomes an issue.

Salmon, like most fish and seafood, is best enjoyed fresh. However, freezing this omega-3 rich source of protein can drastically increase its shelf life, making it a more practical option for many modern home cooks. When kept in the freezer, salmon will last for up to three months in optimum condition. It will be safe to eat beyond this, but may suffer from a loss of texture and flavor.

Slow cookers operate on a low wattage, at low temperatures, making them perfectly safe to leave unattended while they’re cooking your dinner throughout the day.

The length of time you’ll need to cook lamb in a slow cooker will depend on what type of joint you have, how big it is, and what setting you are using on the cooker. For lamb cooked on the low setting, a joint such as leg or ribs will need between 8 and 12 hours, while on the high setting this will be reduced to 4 to 6 hours.

If you want to turn your slow cooker off earlier than a recipe dictates, you’ll first need to make sure the food has reached a high enough temperature. Roast meats cooked in the slow cooker should reach an internal temperature of 160 °F before they are safe to consume, while casseroles and stews should reach 165 °F before being considered safe to eat.

Ways to speed up slow cooker time include using the ‘high’ setting instead of the ‘low’ setting, cutting your food into smaller pieces, and covering the cooker with foil. Here we explore in greater depth how you can encourage slow cooker meals to be ready sooner.

The length of time it takes your slow cooker to heat up will depend on which setting you choose. For the low setting, the slow cooker will reach a simmering point after 7 to 8 hours. On the high setting, the simmering point will be reached after 3 to 4 hours.

To improve flavor and reduce your calorie intake, there is a range of ways you can remove fat from the slow cooker meal before you serve it. These include using a large metal spoon to skim the fat off the top, cooling the meal in the refrigerator so that the fat solidifies and can be removed in one piece, and using plastic wrap to attract fat out of the slow cooker. 

Here we look at slow cooker alternatives for when you want a hearty and warming meal without the need for owning an actual slow cooker. Contenders for great slow cooker alternatives include pressure cookers, conventional ovens, dutch ovens, and even air fryers.

The best way to defrost venison in a hurry is using the cold water method, or at a push, you can thaw it in the microwave. The fastest method is unfortunately not the best way to defrost venison. The safest and most effective way to thaw this type of meat is by refrigerating it for at least 24 hours.

Another common feature of older ovens is an oven fan positioned over the top of an oven, which draws fumes in and carries them outside. However, most modern ovens are constructed with only vents on the front of the appliance. Here we explore various issues surrounding vents on ovens.

One common issue that people don’t expect, is that most toaster ovens can get very hot on the outside during use. This means you should keep the appliance a safe distance away from other objects, and avoid touching the exterior of the oven when it’s switched on.