Can You Put A Crockpot In A Dishwasher?

Washing and cleaning appliances are hard work and often made harder as they are electrical and come with specific cleaning rules. Though you might be wondering can a Crockpot go in the dishwasher?

No, you cannot put a crockpot in a dishwasher. Putting an entire crockpot in a dishwasher can inadvertently damage it. You can however take out the inner ceramic dish and wash that in the dishwasher along with the lid.

In this article, I am going to talk about the part of a Crockpot that are dishwasher safe, how to clean the parts that can’t go in the dishwasher and how to stay safe when doing so.

Is It Safe To Put A Crockpot In A Dishwasher?

No, it isn’t safe to put your crockpot in a dishwasher. It isn’t safe because crockpots have electrical elements which are a part of the entire unit. You can set the other parts of the crockpot in the dishwasher, but you will need to separate it into different parts and wash each separately.

You might not be able to divide older crockpots into smaller parts and, as such, have to resort to cleaning them manually. You cannot put any part of old crockpots in a dishwasher.

What Parts Of The Crockpot Can Go In The Dishwasher?

Some parts of a crockpot can go into a dishwasher, while others need special care when cleaning.

Parts of a Crockpot That Can Go In a Dishwasher

After separating the crockpot unit into several components, you can put the following parts into a dishwasher safely without any repercussions:

Lids: You can detach the covers of your crockpots and insert them into a dishwasher for cleaning.

However, before you do this, you should allow the lid to cool down properly before placing it in the dishwasher. Rapid temperature changes can break the lid as a result of thermal shock.

Accessories: Your crockpot might have extra accessories like stirrers and thermometers that are usually dishwasher safe. You must confirm that these items are dishwasher safe from the manual before placing them in a dishwasher.

It is always best to wash these items by hand to be on the safe side, especially the thermometers that require extra care. You can use a soft, wet cloth to wipe off dirt and clean it.  

Removable bowls or stoneware pots: Crockpots typically have removable bowls or stoneware pots that are machine-safe.

Most of these items are aluminum or stainless steel materials, so you shouldn’t encounter any problems with using a dishwasher. However, it doesn’t hurt to confirm, and you should always check the user manual before putting any item in the dishwasher for a guarantee. 

Parts of a Crockpot That CAN’T Go In a Dishwasher and How to Clean Them

All of the other parts of your crockpot not mentioned are the parts with electrical components, so putting it in a dishwasher could damage it. Generally, you can use a damp cloth and soapy water to clean most parts of your crockpot without encountering any challenges.

While wiping down the areas with electrical components, consciously put extra effort into it, so water does not touch areas where electricity is. Typical areas to steer clear of are the sensors and the plug. You can still use dish soap for cleaning your crockpot, and it will produce excellent results as long as you take the necessary precautions.

You must avoid submerging any electrical part of your crockpot in water. No crockpot heating base is waterproof, and dipping it in water could damage the components or even become an electrocution hazard.

Precautions for Cleaning Your Crockpot

• Ensure the cooker is turned off and unplug from the electrical outlet. Let the crockpot cool properly before cleaning the components.
• Do not use abrasive scouring pads or cleaning compounds that could damage your crockpot.
• Use vinegar and non-abrasive cleaners to clean water spots and other stains on the surface.
• Do not wash stoneware with cold water when it is hot, as rapid temperature changes can cause the material to break.
• Only use a soft cloth in warm, soapy water to clean the outside of the heating base.

Cleaning Pads to Clean Your Crockpot

Selecting sponges or cleaning pads for cleaning your crockpot is very important, and you should take extra care in selection. Enamel in crockpots are potent substances, but they do not resist abrasion well.

If you use scrubber sponges, steel wool, or other abrasive materials to clean your crockpot, it might get damaged. Stick to softer sponges and cleaning materials that will not scratch or damage your pot.

How to Clean Sticky Foods from Crockpots Without a Dishwasher

You might not be able to clean some stains off your crockpot with just a wet cloth and cleaning compounds.

Even though it might seem like an abrasive sponge or material is the best way to remove these stains from the pot, it will only add to the damage. Here are other ways you can clean stubborn stains from your crockpot:

Soak the inner pot for many hours: the easiest way to remove the toughest stains from your pot is by keeping your pot soaked in water for many hours.

If possible, you can allow the pot to stay in water overnight or just a couple of hours – the longer, the better. When you pick up the pot to clean, the water will soften most of the tough stains so you can easily clean it off.

Fill the crockpot with water and leave it to cook for hours: If the stains are very stubborn and soaking your pot in water doesn’t seem to work, you can try this method.

Just put enough water in your pot and set it on fire by pressing cook on your slow cooker. The hot water should soften the food debris and make it easier to remove the stains.

Apply baking soda and vinegar: Baking soda and vinegar are popular cleaning agents that can help remove tough stains on your crockpot.

Apply a little on the affected surfaces while washing, so it works as a deodorizer and stain remover. This breaks down soils like caked grease and washes it out.