How to Clean a Slow Cooker

Beanie said, “How does one attempt to clean a crock pot ….”

You Will Need:

• Water
• Dish liquid
• Murphy Oil Soap
• A cloth
• Steel wool
• Sandpaper

Steps to Clean the Cooker:

1. Fill the cooker with water, squirt in some dish soap, and stir the soap to help it dissolve. Cook the soapy water for about half an hour, then empty it and wash the inner bowl as a regular dish.¹
2. For stubborn burnt-on food, use Murphy Oil Soap. Fill the cooker with water, add a tablespoon of Murphy Oil Soap, and stir the soap to help it mix. Cook the soapy water for about an hour on high heat, then empty and wash the inner bowl as a regular dish.²
3. Wipe the exterior of the cooker with a soapy cloth, being careful not to let any water drip onto the electronics as it could seep into a crack and cause damage. Afterwards, wipe the exterior with a cloth damp with plain water to remove any soap residue.³
4. If there is hardened food on the outside of the crock pot, wet a cloth with soapy water and wring it well so that it is not dripping. Lay the cloth over the hardened food for several minutes or until the food softens, then wipe off the food.³
5. If your crock pot has a removable heat control unit, use steel wool to polish the male probes. For the female terminals, roll a piece of sandpaper into a thin tube, insert the tube in a terminal, and twist it to clean each slot.⁴

• Always unplug the crock pot before washing it.
• Do not submerge the entire appliance in water, as this can damage the electronics.
• When you notice food bubble over the side of the pot, immediately wipe off the spill with a soapy cloth to prevent the food from hardening.
• As the crock pot is often left unattended while in use, it is important to regularly check the plug for any damage to prevent a fire.⁵

1. Help! from Heloise by Heloise
2. Joey Green’s Cleaning Magic
3. Home Comforts: The Art & Science of Keeping House by Cheryl Mendelson
4. 1001 Do-It-Yourself Hints & Tips by Reader’s Digest
5. In the Kitchen with Heloise by Heloise