Can You Put a Crockpot in the Oven?
Crockpots have been an indispensable kitchen appliance ever since their introduction in the 1940s and their widespread adoption in the 1970s. But can you put even the best crockpot in the oven? Yes but there are a few things you need to know before you do.
If you find yourself busy during the week, Crockpots are a great way to have a nice warm meal when you get home from work without having to cook the meal yourself. These slow cookers are a lifesaver. Simply set it on low ( or whatever the recipe specifies) head off to work and when you come home your one-pot crockpot meal will be ready for you.
Can You Put a Crockpot on the Stove?
No, you cannot put a Crock-Pot on the stove. Doing so can cause thermal shock, which occurs when the inner ceramic pot is suddenly exposed to extreme changes in temperature, both hot or cold.
Thermal shock can lead to cracks and chips in the pot, as well as potentially cause leaks. In addition, it can cause the Crock-Pot to malfunction, making it unsafe to use. If you need to cook food faster, it’s best to use a stovetop-safe Crock-Pot or cook it in a regular pot on the stove. Either way, following the manufacturer’s instructions, is key to ensuring your safety and preventing damage to your Crock-Pot.
It’s best to avoid the stovetop altogether when it comes to your crockpot, as it can also scratch the glass top stove surface and are not induction cooktop safe.
Are Other Slow Cookers Oven-Safe?
No. Other slow cookers are not oven safe. For those who don’t know, a slow cooker is a kitchen appliance that cooks food slowly over a period of several hours. This cooking method is ideal for tough cuts of meat that need to be cooked for a long time to become tender. Many slow cookers also have an oven-safe feature, which allows you to brown or sear the meat in the pot before slow cooking it. However, not all slow cookers are oven-safe.
If you’re not sure whether your slow cooker is oven-safe, it’s best to check the manufacturer’s instructions before using it. Slow cookers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so it’s important to choose one that will fit in your oven. Some models even have removable pot inserts that can be used in the oven. If you’re looking for an oven-safe slow cooker, be sure to check the features before you buy.
Can you put a Crock-pot in the oven?
When it comes to putting a Crock-Pot in the oven the part that is safe to go in the oven is the stone crock. The metal base and the lid are not oven-safe. The stone crock of a crockpot is oven safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
To prevent food and liquid splashing out into your oven in your oven you can seal the crock with Aluminum foil since the lid cannot go in the oven. Being able to put your crockpot in the oven is a nice option since crockpot temperatures only go up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit
Parts of a crockpot
Before we go into specifics we need to know the different parts of your slow cooker crockpot. That way we know which parts of a crockpot can safely go in the oven. There are many crockpot sizes but they all have the same parts.
The top part of the crock pot is called the lid. This is a lid made of tempered glass and seals the Crock-Pot. The main area of the crockpot is called the crock. This is the stone container where you put your recipe. The stone crock sits in the metal enclosure which is called the base. The base consists of four parts: the base where the crock sits, the handles, the power indicator, and the control knob. The handles can also have a locking lid feature like in the image above.
Your Crock-Pot may have other features on it as well such as a timer label for the meal inside (these are great if you are going to a potluck) there are even Wi-Fi crock pots now available.
Can a Crock-pot go in a microwave?
If you have a recipe that requires a microwave you can put the ceramic crock in a microwave. The lid of the crockpot will not be able to go in the microwave as it usually has metal on it and that can cause sparking in a microwave.
Can a Crock-pot go in a dishwasher?
Yes, both the lid and the stoneware crock are dishwasher safe.
Is a Crock-pot stovetop safe?
No the ceramic crock of a Crock-pot is not stovetop safe.
Removing crockpot from the oven
When it comes time to remove the crockpot from the oven make sure to wear oven mitts and place the crockpot on a trivet to not burn the countertop. The danger of putting the crock of the slow cooker in the oven is touching it with bare hands afterward because it will be burning hot.
Final thoughts on putting your crockpot in the oven
Now you know which parts of your slow cooker are safe to put in an oven, and which parts to leave out. You also know how hot your oven can go and what not to go over when putting your Crock-Pot in your oven. Lastly, you know that your crock is dishwasher safe, microwave safe, and oven safe, but it is not stovetop safe.