Cook a pork roast in a slow cooker for the perfect autumn and winter comfort-food dinner. Season with grilling spices or barbecue sauce, and add vegetables if desired. It will be ready to greet you when you return from a busy day.

With pork, it is essential to cook the meat thoroughly for food safety. If in doubt, use an instant-read meat thermometer to ensure doneness.

Refrigerate raw pork in air-tight plastic wrap or plastic food-storage bags for no more than two or three days before cooking it. Freeze raw pork if you don't plan to cook it within a day or two.