How to Clean Slow Cooker / Crock Pot
Let the ceramic insert cool before washing. Putting a hot insert under cold water causes thermal shock cracking.
What You'll Need
- 2 tbsp
- Fill insert
- Squirt
- 1
Step-by-Step Method
Fill the ceramic insert with warm water and a squirt of dish soap as soon as you serve the food. Let it soak while you eat. The warm soak loosens stuck-on food dramatically.
For stuck-on food that soaking did not remove: sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge and scrub. Baking soda is abrasive enough to lift food but gentle enough for ceramic.
The heating base should NEVER be submerged. Wipe the interior with a damp cloth. Clean the rim where the insert sits (food splatters collect here).
Wash the glass lid with soapy water. Check the steam vent hole and clean any buildup.
- NEVER submerge the heating base in water
- Do not use metal utensils or steel wool on the ceramic insert (scratches)
- Do not put a hot ceramic insert under cold water (thermal shock can crack it)
- Slow cooker liners (disposable plastic bags designed for slow cookers) make cleanup instant. Place the liner before cooking, discard after.
- For extremely stubborn burnt food: fill with water, add 1/2 cup baking soda, turn on low for 2-3 hours. The gentle heat loosens everything.
- The ceramic insert is usually dishwasher safe (check your model), but hand washing is gentler on the glaze.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most ceramic inserts are dishwasher safe. Check your model's manual. The glass lid is also usually dishwasher safe. The heating base unit is NEVER dishwasher safe or submersible.
Sources & Methodology
Ceramic slow cooker care per manufacturer guidelines. Thermal shock risk (hot ceramic + cold water) is a well-documented failure mode for stoneware.
Last reviewed: March 20, 2026