Why You Should Never Put a Crockpot on a Stovetop
What went wrong in her case? Many commenters in the group were quick to point out one crucial mistake: you should never place a crockpot on the stove. But why is that such a big deal?
The answer is simple—crockpots, or slow cookers, are not designed for stovetop use. These appliances are built for slow, low-temperature cooking, perfect for soups, stews, and chili. The ceramic insert inside the crockpot is made to withstand low heat over long periods, but it can’t handle the concentrated, high heat of a stovetop burner. Here’s why:
- Ceramic Construction: Crockpots are usually made of ceramic, a material that can easily crack or break when exposed to sudden changes in temperature. When you place the ceramic insert directly on a hot burner, it’s exposed to heat in a way it wasn’t designed for. Unlike the slow, even heating provided by the crockpot itself, stovetop burners deliver concentrated heat that can quickly overheat and damage ceramics.
- Thermal Shock: The rapid temperature increase from the stovetop can cause thermal shock, leading to cracks, fractures, or even the entire base of the crockpot shattering—just like what happened in that messy chili disaster.
To avoid this, always keep your crockpot off the stovetop. Stick to using it as intended, and you’ll save yourself from a big, frustrating cleanup and the risk of damaging your kitchen appliances!