Are Crockpots Dishwasher Safe? Facts You Shouldn’t Miss

If you love cooking, you must be familiar with Crockpots. Crockpots are versatile, time-saving, and easy to use. But being an electrical appliance, it must make you question whether crockpots are dishwasher safe, and if not, how do you clean them?

The more you know about your slow cooker, the better! Knowing which parts to clean and which parts you shouldn’t mess with is essential for a healthier and safer kitchen. And in this article, we’ll teach you all of that.

Are Crockpots Dishwasher Safe?

Crockpots are not dishwasher safe. Being an electric cooking machine, certain crock pot parts are sensitive to water. These parts are essential for a crockpot to function. So, if you tried to clean your slow cooker in the dishwasher, you’d end up damaging it.

Then again, some detachable parts of a crockpot can be cleaned in the dishwasher and are completely safe to do so. But it’s important to ensure that these parts are heat and moisture-resistant. You can read the instruction manual for that. 

Can You Put A Whole Crockpots in The Dishwasher?

No, you can not put a whole crockpot in the dishwasher. Most larger-sized crockpots don’t usually fit in dishwashers. But even if your slow cooker fits in the washer, you’ll leave the crockpot’s electronic parts exposed to water, damaging your crockpot.

Some parts that are run on electricity, like the heating coils and the navigation controls, are vulnerable to water. And if you were to put a whole crockpot inside the dishwasher, these parts would experience damage and might even stop working.

Your Saturday night dinner plans are important, but a non-functioning Crockpot doesn’t make things any easier. So be very careful not to damage your crockpot in the cleaning process.

What Parts Of A Crockpots Are Dishwasher Safe?

While a whole crockpot can not be put inside the dishwasher, you can still clean certain parts of a crockpot. These are the parts that usually tend to get dirty; hence, they are washable, even in the dishwasher!

So, here are the parts of crockpots that are dishwasher safe:

1. The lid

The lid is one of the few parts of a crockpot that are safe to clean in the dishwasher. Sometimes food residue gets stuck on a lid. In those cases, you can wash the lid of your dishwasher very easily, especially since it’s not electronic.

2. The inner pot

You can wash the inner pot of your crockpot in the dishwasher as long as it’s made out of Ceramic, Stoneware, or Stainless Steel!

Which Parts of A CrockPots Can Not Go in The Dishwasher?

While some parts of a crock pot can be washed in the dishwasher, there are some parts you should never put in the dishwasher! To keep it simple for you, anything but the lid and the inner pot should not go in the dishwasher! 

These parts are not only essential for the crockpot but also very sensitive to water. Trying to wash these parts in the dishwasher can damage the crockpot. Be careful not to put water around the crock pot plug and sensors. 

Also, not to put the whole crockpot in the washer as that would make the water reach places it’s not supposed to. 

How To Clean Your Crockpots in Dishwasher?

While you can’t clean a whole crockpot in the dishwasher, you can still clean parts such as the lid and the inner pot! Usually, these are the parts that require cleaning. And as long as they’re detachable, you’re good to go!

So, here is how to clean your crockpot in the dishwasher:

1. Disconnect

First, unplug the crockpot from the electrical source before you start the cleaning process. Keeping the crockpot plugged in can lead to hazardous outcomes.

2. Make sure the crockpot is at room temperature

Sudden temperature changes can lead parts to crack or break. So, make sure you let the crock pot cool down before you put it in the washer.

4. Separate dishwasher-safe parts

Now, separate the parts you can put inside the dishwasher, such as the lid, the inner pot, external dishwasher-safe accessories, etc.

5. Place properly

The lid and the inner pot are water resistant but not unbreakable. So, make sure you place the parts carefully and adequately.

How To Clean Parts Of A Crockpots That Are Not Dishwasher Safe?

Cleaning parts of a crockpot that cannot go in the dishwasher isn’t as hard as you might think! All you need to do is be careful and use as little water as possible.

The good thing is, these parts usually don’t get too dirty. All you’ll need is a little bit of soap, water, and a clean cloth for the outer layer. Gently tap the soap water and try to clean off any residue stuck on the crockpot’s outer layer.

If there’s residue on the navigation controls, take a dry cloth and try to clean it off. Try not to put water around the controls.

Things To Consider While Washing Your Crockpots In Dishwasher: 

Cleaning any home appliance needs immense care! Remember, they are electronics and are sensitive to water and rough cleaning. So while cleaning your crock pot, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. 

So, here is what to consider while washing your crock pot in the dishwasher: 

• Always Turn Off The Crock Pot Before Washing 
• Read the Instruction Manual To Be Sure 
• Only The Lid And Inner Pot Are Dishwasher Safe 
• No Wires Go In The Dishwasher 
• Crock Pot Is Not WaterProof

How To Make Your Crockpots Clean Itself? 

In addition to the dishwasher, there is another way to clean your crockpot where you won’t have to scrub the food residue off the crockpot yourself. This method is inexpensive, relatively simple, and only requires vinegar, baking soda, and some time! 

Follow these steps to get your cooker looking as good as new: 

What You Need: 

• White vinegar
• Baking soda 
• 120 ml or ½ cup measuring cup. 

1. Rinse large chunks of food residue

Before starting the process, empty your crockpot and add warm water. No need to hard scrub. Just simply rinse away any excess residue left inside.  

2. Fill the cooker with clean water

Now replace the dirty water with clean, warm water. Make sure to fill it up above any lines of food residue. 

3. Add the vinegar

Fill the 1⁄2 cup or 120ml measuring cup with vinegar, and add the entire cup of vinegar to the warm water if you have a 6-quart Crock Pot add 2 cups of vinegar. 

4. Adding baking soda

Add the baking soda very slowly, and you’ll notice the water bubbling up as you start pouring in the baking soda. Put a little bit at a time once the bubbles die down. Be sure to add the same amount of baking soda as the vinegar. 

5. Put the cooking setting to low

We’re almost done, now, turn your crockpot on but leave the settings at low. The water inside will start bubbling over in the higher settings. 

6. Wait and finish up

Now leave your crockpot on for several hours as it cleans itself. You can clean your cooker anywhere from 3 to 8 hours, depending on how stubborn the grime is. Once done, empty the pot; it should be sparkling like it’s fresh out of the box! 

How To Clean Your Crockpots Without A Dishwasher?

The safest, most reliable method of cleaning a crock pot is by hand. Yes, as great as dishwashers are, for your crockpot, it’s you who can do the best job! So if you don’t have a dishwasher, don’t worry! Just do it yourself. 

Here is how to clean your crock pot by hand:  

1. Disconnect

Unplug and disconnect the dishwasher to avoid any dangers.  

2. Make sure the crockpot is at room temperature: 

Wait for the crockpot to cool down. You don’t want to burn your hands while cleaning the cooker. 

3. Separate parts

Separate parts from the outer shell, such as the pot and the lid. 

4. Protect sensitive parts

The buttons, sensors, and cables of your crockpot should not come in contact with water. You can cover them with plastic wraps to protect them from damage. 

5. Clean the detachable parts

Don’t scrub the detachable parts too harshly, as it might damage the parts. 

6. Use a soft sponge

Using a soft sponge is safer and better. The parts you’re cleaning are still quite fragile and vulnerable to damage while cleaning. 

7. Finish up

 Hand dry with a towel and place it upside down to clean out any water left inside.

Must Read: Air Fryer vs Toaster Oven: Which is the Better Choice?

Frequently Asked Questions: 

Q. Is cooking in a crockpot healthy? 

Ans: Cooking in a crockpot is, in fact, quite healthy! Slow cookers cook at a maximum simmer temperature of 209°F, which over a long time kills many common bacterias. This ensures safe and healthy meals you cook. 

Q. Are slow cookers and crockpots the same? 

Ans: Slow cookers and crockpots are the same. The slow cooker is just a generic name for Crockpots. 

Q. What do the low and high settings on a crock pot do? 

Ans: A crock pot’s low and high settings indicate how long your crockpot cooks the meals. 

Q. How long can my crockpot cook a meal? 

Ans: Typically, crockpots can cook from 7 to 12 hours on the low settings and 3-8 hours on the high settings. 

Q. Should I fill the whole crockpot for better results? 

Ans: That is not necessary; usually, a slow cooker should be filled at least 1/2 full and a maximum of 3/4 for the best results. 

Q. Can I reheat food in my crockpot? 

Ans: No, you cannot reheat food in your crockpot. 

Q. Can I keep the lid Off while cooking? 

Ans: Some recipes require you to keep the lid off, and some recipes require you to keep it on. It mainly depends on the dish. Read the recipes carefully for the best results. 

Q. Is it safe to cook frozen meat in a crockpot? 

Ans: Of course, you can cook frozen meat in a crockpot. It is recommended you use a low setting to start. 

 Q. Can I leave my crockpot on while I do something else? 

Ans: Crockpots are famous for the “set it and leave it” lifestyle, so you definitely can live your life out in the wild while your crock pot prepares your favorite meal!  

Conclusion 

So, are crockpot dishwashers safe? Well, the short answer is no, they’re not. But if we went in-depth, you’d realize there are some parts of a crock pot you can still clean!

And it’s better to have something clean than nothing! Just be sure to be careful and follow all the instructions. Until then, thank you for reading. Goodbye!