Slow Cooker Converter — Recipe Times to Low and High
Turn any recipe’s cooking time into Low and High slow cooker hours.
- On Low
- 8 hr – 16 hr
- On High
- 4 hr – 6 hr
- Recipe timechart band: 50 min – 3 hr
- 1 hr
- Liquidsoups excepted
- about ½ the original
- Use about half the liquid the original recipe calls for (soups excepted) — nothing boils away under the lid.
- Add milk, cream and cheese in the last hour; add pasta at the end so it doesn’t turn mushy.
- Cook meat and poultry to a safe internal temperature, checked with a food thermometer — the clock is only a guide. Thaw frozen meat first.
What is the Slow Cooker Converter?
Most oven and stovetop recipes can go in a slow cooker, but the clock changes completely: a stew that braises for two hours wants all day on Low. This converter uses the time chart from Montana State University Extension’s slow cooker fact sheet to turn a recipe’s cooking time into a Low and a High range, and flags the liquid to cut. It also switches a slow cooker recipe between settings — one hour on High is roughly two on Low — for when you are short of time or out all day.
How to use the Slow Cooker Converter
- 1 Pick Recipe → slow cooker to convert an oven or stovetop recipe, or Low ↔ High to switch settings.
- 2 Enter the cooking time from your recipe.
- 3 Read the Low and High time ranges, and cut the liquid to about half.
- 4 Cook meat to a safe internal temperature and check it with a thermometer before serving.
Slow cooker conversion chart
The time chart for adapting a conventional recipe to a slow cooker, from Montana State University Extension’s slow cooker fact sheet — the same bands this converter uses.
| Recipe says | Cook on Low | Cook on High |
|---|---|---|
| 15–30 min | 4 hr – 6 hr | 1 hr 30 min – 2 hr |
| 35–45 min | 6 hr – 10 hr | 3 hr – 4 hr |
| 50 min – 3 hr | 8 hr – 16 hr | 4 hr – 6 hr |
- Switching settings: one hour on High is roughly 2 hours on Low. Slow cookers vary by brand and model, so treat every figure here as a starting point.
- Most uncooked meat and vegetable combinations need at least 8 hours on Low or 4 on High.
- Always cook meat and poultry to a safe internal temperature, checked with a food thermometer.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert an oven recipe to a slow cooker? +
Match the recipe’s cooking time to a band in the chart: 15–30 minutes becomes 4–6 hours on Low (1½–2 on High), 35–45 minutes becomes 6–10 hours on Low (3–4 on High), and 50 minutes to 3 hours becomes 8–16 hours on Low (4–6 on High). Cut the liquid to about half, because nothing boils away under the lid.
How many hours on High is 8 hours on Low? +
About 4 hours. The usual rule — the one Montana State University Extension gives — is that one hour on High equals roughly two hours on Low. Models differ, so check for tenderness and use a thermometer on meat.
Is it safe to cook meat in a slow cooker on Low? +
Yes, when it is handled right: thaw meat first, fill the pot half to two-thirds full, keep the lid on and cook to a safe internal temperature checked with a food thermometer. Food-safety guidance from university extensions also advises starting on High for the first hour when you can.
How accurate are the results? +
The figures come from standard, tested references (USDA FoodData Central and King Arthur Baking) and are excellent starting points. Ovens, ingredients and equipment vary, so treat the numbers as a reliable guide and adjust to taste and doneness.
Is this calculator free, and does it send my data anywhere? +
Yes — it’s completely free and runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is uploaded or stored on a server; the maths happens on your device, even offline once the page has loaded.