Are Ceramic Crockpots Dishwasher Safe – All You Need to Know!

No, ceramic crockpots are not dishwasher safe. You can’t put the entire ceramic crockpot inside the dishwasher as it will damage it. However, you can remove the inner ceramic dish and the lid, and put them in the dishwasher. 

Cleaning and washing your appliances is hard work, which is made even harder due to the fact that most appliances are electrical and have very specific cleaning rules. You can’t simply put each and every appliance in the dishwasher and expect it to go well.

are ceramic crock pots dishwasher safe

What Will Happen if You Place the Crockpot Inside the Dishwasher

You shouldn’t put an entire crockpot inside the dishwasher. However, if you or someone else unknowingly puts the crockpot inside a dishwasher, here are a few things that might take place.

The outer shell of the crockpot contains electrical components. If the outer shell is soaked in water, the water will get inside the electrical circuits. 

Later on, when you’ll turn the crockpot on, there is a very high likelihood that the entire system will get electrocuted.

Let’s see which parts of a ceramic crockpot you can put inside a dishwasher and which parts you cannot for its safe usage.

Which Parts of the Crockpot You Can Put in the Dishwasher

You can divide your ceramic crockpot into two kinds of parts: Those parts that you can put inside the dishwasher and those that you have to clean without a dishwasher.

Parts that Can Go Inside the Dishwasher

You can place the following parts of the ceramic crockpot inside the dishwasher.

  • Lid

The lids of crockpots are usually dome-shaped and fit perfectly on the pot. They are usually made of glass and plastic. You can remove the lid of your ceramic crockpot and place it inside the dishwasher without any qualms and worries. 

However, before doing this, make sure that the lid is not hot. Allow it to cool down completely, and then place it within the dishwasher. Failing to do this can result in damage to your lid. This is because of rapid changes in temperatures and thermal shock which leads to the breaking of the lid. 

  • Accessories

Most ceramic crockpots have accessories such as thermometers, stirrers, etc. They are usually dishwasher friendly. Check the manual and confirm whether this is the case for your crockpot or not, and then place them into the dishwasher for easy cleaning.

To be on the safe side, it is better that you wash them by hand. Take extra care with the thermometers. You can clean the thermometer with a soft, clean, wet cloth. 

  • Liners

The crockpot liners are plastic bags that you place inside the pots while cooking. These liners keep the cooking process mess-free. Once you are done, you can throw away the liners or clean them. They are usually dishwasher safe, but we don’t recommend that.

  • Ceramic Bowls

They are the inner containers. They fit inside the crockpot perfectly. Usually, they are made of stainless steel, ceramic, or stoneware.

They can easily endure high temperatures and moisture levels. Your ceramic crockpot will have a removable ceramic bowl that you can easily detach and place inside the 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.  

Parts of Ceramic Crockpot that Won’t Go Into the Dishwasher

All parts of ceramic crockpots, other than those mentioned above, have electrical components in them. This means that you can’t put them in the dishwasher without causing irreparable damage to them. Never place the heating base of the crockpot inside the dishwasher.

Moreover, the central heating part of the crockpot should also not go inside the dishwasher. Some of the accessories are dishwasher safe while others are not. Therefore, it is better to check the instructions manual that came along with your dishwasher to be sure.

Parts of Ceramic Crockpot that Won't Go Into the Dishwasher

Things to Keep in Mind Before Cleaning Your Crockpot

Ceramic crockpots are not very expensive but they are not cheap as well. You don’t want your appliance just because you didn’t know the correct way to clean it, right?

Before you start cleaning your ceramic crockpot, you need to keep some precautions in mind. 

  • Use Minimal Amount of Water

Don’t submerge the electrical components of the ceramic crockpot in the water. The heating base of crockpots is not waterproof. If you dip it in the water, it will damage the electrical components. 

Moreover, it will become an electrocution hazard as well. Therefore, we recommend that you use a very small amount of water while you are cleaning your crockpot.

  • Unplug the Pot

Unplug the crockpot from the electrical outlet. We live very busy lives and often forget to take the plugs of our appliances out. However, before you clean the crockpot, make sure that it isn’t connected to electricity to prevent any unforeseen accidents.

  • Cool the Pot Completely

The crockpot needs to be completely cool before you start cleaning the components. If your pot is hot, and you start cleaning it, the abrupt change in temperature will permanently damage the appliance due to thermal shock.

  • Use Natural Cleaning Products

Don’t use harsh cleaning compounds or abrasive cleaning pads that will damage the crockpot. It is better to go with natural cleaning products like vinegar and baking soda along with soft sponges and cleaning cloths.

How to Clean a Ceramic Crockpot by Hand

Generally, you can use soapy water and a damp cloth to clean most of the parts of the ceramic crockpot. Make sure that you don’t use a lot of water while cleaning the pot.

Things You Will Need

  • Soft Cloth
  • Water
  • Dishwashing Liquid

Method

  1. Take a clean cloth and wipe down the part of the ceramic crockpot that you are going to clean. This will remove any dust, dirt, grime, etc.
  1. Take a cup of lukewarm water.
  1. Add 1 tbsp. dishwashing liquid to it.
  1. Mix thoroughly until suds are formed.
  1. Dip a soft, clean cloth in the soapy mixture.
  1. Wipe down the ceramic crockpot thoroughly. Take extra care to ensure that no water gets inside the electrical circuitry. Stay clear of the areas where there are sensors, especially the plug. 
  1. It is very important that you select the right sponges or pads for cleaning your ceramic crockpot since they are not abrasion-resistant.
  1. Dry the ceramic crock pot with a towel thoroughly. Your crockpot is now as good as new for your next use!

How to Clean Sticky Food from the Ceramic Crockpot

It is very likely that you will not be able to clean all the stains off the crockpot using a wet cloth only. In such a case, you will have to use natural cleaning products that will not harm the surface of your crockpot. 

Here’s how you can clean stubborn stains from the crockpot with easy and simple DIY steps.

Things You Will Need

  • Cleaning Cloth
  • Water
  • Soft Sponge
  • Baking Soda
  • Vinegar

Method

  1. Soak the Pot
  • Take the inner ceramic pot out and soak it in water for 4 hours. 
  • If it is possible, you can keep the pot soaked overnight. The longer you soak the pot, the better the results will be. 
  • Most of the food will be soft by the time you start cleaning the pot and you won’t have to use harsh sponges.
  • Moreover, you will not have to use a lot of force which will keep your pot in pristine condition. 
  • Remove the pot from the water. 
  • Take a soft, clean cloth and rub the pot with it. Most of the sticky foodstuff will come off easily.
  1. Fill the Pot with Water
  • If there is some food still stuck to the pot, fill the crockpot with water.
  • Let it cook for 3 hours. The hot water will soften up the food debris and you can easily lift them off later.
  1. Gently Scrub with a Soft Sponge
  • Empty out the crockpot. 
  • Pour some dishwashing liquid over a soft sponge.
  • Clean the crockpot with it.
  1. Add Baking Soda & Vinegar
  • If the pot is still not clean, apply some baking soda to the stains.
  • Baking soda and vinegar will not only act as a cleaner but as a deodorizer as well.
  • Let it sit for 15 minutes.
  • Scrub it off gently.
  • If this doesn’t work, make a paste of baking soda and vinegar.
  • Apply this paste to the stubborn areas.
  • Clean gently with a soft cloth.
  1. Use Lemon Juice
  • If the stains are still there, you can resort to this method.
  • Take a lemon and cut it in half. Squeeze out the lemon juice. 
  • Add 1 tsp. salt to the lemon juice and create a paste.
  • Apply this mixture to the stains.
  • Let it sit for 10 minutes. 
  • With the help of a sponge, gently scrub the surface of your crockpot.
  • Rinse with clean water.
  • By now, your crockpot will be sparkling clean. If there are still some visible stains, you can repeat the above-mentioned steps and you will certainly see the results!

Tips for Keeping Your Ceramic Crockpot Clean

Prevention is always better than cure. It is always better to keep your crockpot in top shape so that you will be able to cook amazing food for yourself and your family. 

Here are some tips that will help you in keeping your crockpot clean.

  • Wash your crockpot as soon as you are done. If that is not possible, at least soak it in water and you can clean it later.
  • Don’t keep leftover food in the crockpot for a long time. Move them to another container as soon as possible.
  • If some food spills on the surface of the crockpot, wipe it off right away.
  • In order to remove unpleasant odors and smells, you can use baking soda and vinegar.
  • We recommend that you use crockpot liners to make the cleanup easy. 
  • Don’t keep the crockpot on for a long time. It will be harder for you to remove the burnt food. Keeping the crockpot on for long is a fire hazard as well.
  • Whenever you cook using the crockpot, spray the ceramic bowl with some olive oil. This will keep the food from sticking to the pot in the first place. 
  • There are non-stick cooking sprays available in the market as well. You can also use that before you start cooking in your crockpot to make the cleaning process later easy.
  • Follow the recipes to the tee, particularly when it comes to cooking times. This will prevent any burnt food accidents and your crockpot will remain sparkling clean!
  • Never preheat the crockpot without anything inside it. Spray some cooking oil or a little bit of water when you are going to cook in the pot to protect the pot.

FAQs for Are Ceramic Crockpots Dishwasher Safe?

How often should I clean my crockpot?

There is no hard and fast rule for this. Ideally, you need to clean your crockpot after every use. Never reuse your cooking device without cleaning it first. Make sure that you don’t scrub harshly or use any harsh, abrasive chemicals. 

Why Is It Not Safe to Put A Crockpot in the Dishwasher

It is not safe to put your ceramic crockpot inside the dishwasher because they have electrical components which can be damaged by the dishwasher.

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