Can You Put A Crockpot In The Oven?
Crockpots are fantastic pieces of kitchenware that allow you to cook delicious meals, mostly unattended, while you are busy around the house. Having the ability to fill your crockpot and walkway is life-changing. However, because of their capacity, people want to know if you can also use them in the oven.
The ceramic pot of the Crockpot is safe to use in the oven; however, the shell and the lid are NOT oven safe. Different brands of slow cookers may not be oven safe, so it is best to check your manual before putting your crockpot in the oven.
Below, we will discuss whether it is safe to put your crockpot in the oven or not. Furthermore, we’ll take you through several different brands and give you instructions on how to use oven safe crockpots in your oven.
Is It Safe To Put A Crockpot In The Oven?
The removable stoneware insert for Crockpots is microwave and oven-safe up to 400°F. However, the heating coils and cover cannot be used in an oven or a microwave because they are constructed of plastic and other flammable materials.
*Remember that a Crock-pot’s insert and all other components really aren’t broiler-safe since most broilers heat up to temperatures higher than the 400°F limit for safe oven use.
Which Parts of the Crockpot Is Oven Safe?
In general, the Crockpot’s ceramic inserts are oven-safe up to 400°F. They are microwave-safe as well.
The Crockpot lids and metal casings cannot be used in an oven or a microwave. These components will end up melting and blowing up your microwave.
Can You Use Crockpots On Stove Tops?
Thermal shock happens when a breakable object is exposed to a sharp temperature shift. It’s best not to use your crockpot on your stove.
The pot may crack into pieces as a result of the abrupt expansion and contraction. However, verify your user manual because some slow cooker types come with pots that can be used on a stovetop.
However, if you are using the crockpot itself, the stovetop might be a great location to place your slow cooker during unsupervised cooking if your burner is not in use.
It can readily tolerate the heat, humidity, and sprays caused by a meal that has been simmering for several hours. In the absence of that, a plank of wood or a cooking sheet would be equally valuable.
Are There Any Slow Cookers That ARE Oven Safe?
Just keep in mind that there are other brands of slow cookers available besides Crockpot. The directions in the preceding section do not apply if the slow cooker is manufactured by a different brand.
Carefully refer to the instruction booklet that came with the particular brand and model of slow cooker you have.
You may find out if other well-known slow cookers are also oven-safe in this section, along with any safety precautions you should be aware of.
Although brand-specific oven safety regulations differ, all brands’ heating components and covers are not oven-safe.
Calphalon Slow Cookers
Although Calphalon claims that their slow cooker attachment may be used in an oven, it doesn’t mention the highest temperature.
Use a roasting pan or get in touch with Calphalon to learn about oven safety precautions whenever you need to prepare something. The cover is not oven safe, along with the other slow cookers.
KitchenAid Slow Cookers
Even though KitchenAid advises against using the ceramic insert in ovens, it is oven-safe for up to an hour at 300°F. The lids cannot be used in ovens.
Cuisinart Slow Cookers
Slow cookers made by Cuisinart are not oven-safe. According to the user manual, you shouldn’t put it in a warm oven or close to hot gas or electric burners.
Hamilton Beach Slow Cookers
Slow cookers from Hamilton Beach are oven safe; however, the highest temperature is not stated.
Therefore, exercise appropriate precautions if you have a Hamilton Beach slow cooker. Like other slow cookers, never put the lid in the oven but never bake in the oven when it is empty.
All-Clad Slow Cooker
The cast-aluminum insert on the All-Clad slow cooker is oven safe up to 400°F (insert only).
You can brown components on the stovetop before slowly cooking them because it is safe to use on gas and electric cooktops.
What Should I Know Before Putting My Crockpot In The Oven?
Using the ceramic portion of the crockpot in the oven is usually okay, but there are several precautions you should take:
- Never overfill your crockpot.
- Verify that the cover is oven-safe. If the ceramic pot needs to be covered, create a temporary lid out of aluminum foil.
- Always check the manual. Make sure you adhere to the manufacturer’s advice regarding oven-safe temperatures. Cook meals at no more than 400°F.
- Do not preheat the pot. To avoid damaging stoneware inserts, do not preheat them before cooking.
- Don’t change the temperature too quickly. For example, don’t immediately place a cold insertion pot left in the fridge into a hot oven. Additionally, allow the ceramic inset pot to cool before storing it in the refrigerator.
- Use potholders. Employing potholders or protective gloves on both hands, carefully move the insert pot to and from the oven.
How Do You Use A Crockpot In The Oven?
Always be sure to become familiar with these procedures before putting your slow cooker in the oven. Below are general instructions.
It’s important to note that there may not be a separate heat exchanger and insert in vintage crock pots, and these devices cannot be utilized in the oven.
Remove The Insert
The first thing to know is that most crockpots are composed of three sections, and these include the heating element, the inserts, and the lid.
Just the insert can be used in the oven safely. The typical lid contains glass and plastic parts, both of which are prone to melting or cracking at extreme heat, and electrically heated elements are easily breakable in ovens.
Add to the Oven
After removing the top, you can remove the insert from the electric heating base. When removing a hot crockpot, be sure to wear oven mitts.
Rather than using the lid, cover the crockpot with aluminum foil if your recipe calls for it. While it cooks, use a sizable sheet of foil to cover the edges.
Crockpots made of metal, and ceramic may typically be baked in the oven. The ceramic variant, however, can be vulnerable to cracking if cooled or heated too quickly. Reduce the setting of your oven, then heat it gently if your crockpot isn’t already hot.
If your crockpot is full, putting a cookie sheet under it would be an excellent idea. When heated, its contents may expand and spill over the sides.
Cool Safely
Switch off the oven and let the meal cool once it has baked for a specified time. You should be able to take out your crockpot without the risk of it breaking after fifteen minutes.
Don’t set your crockpot on the stove. Over time, the enamel surface of gas stoves’ metal grilles may become damaged. Instead, leave it on a towel that has been folded on the counter to cool.
A heated crockpot should never be placed in the refrigerator or freezer. Similar to how moving from a chilly oven to a hot one can result in cracking, so can cooling too quickly.
What Are Some Tips For Cooking With Crockpots?
Even though crockpots are relatively straightforward kitchenware, it’s crucial to understand their use effectively. Regarding the advice listed below, ensure you carefully read your owner’s manual.
Understand Your Crockpot
The majority of crockpot components are made of metal or ceramic. Understanding the substance yours is constructed of is critical because how you use it may be impacted.
Thermal shock can cause breaking in ceramic crockpots, although metal ones are much more resistant. But you can’t put metal crockpots in the microwave. The metal inserts found in some porcelain crockpots should also not be microwaved.
Check your owner’s handbook if you’re unsure when your crockpot includes a metal insert.
Fill Your Crockpot
Crockpots are made to cook a lot of food at once. However, if they aren’t filled all the way, they could burn your food. This occurs as a result of the heat not being able to spread uniformly throughout the pot’s base.
As a general guideline, fill your crockpot to at least halfway before you begin cooking. This rule is valid whether the crockpot is heated in the base or in the oven.
Watch Out for Steam
The use of steam in crockpot cooking is essential. The water within your pot vaporizes while your food cooks, creating pressure that gradually increases. It can still hurt you even if it doesn’t produce nearly as much vapor as a pressure cooker.
Ensure to properly remove the crockpot lid to avoid injury. Wear safety gloves and keep your hands away from the pot.
Watch Your Temperature
Most crockpot instruction manuals suggest keeping your insert’s temperature under 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
This shouldn’t be a problem if you use the crockpot frequently. Usually, the base’s electric heating element’s temperature does not rise above 300 degrees Fahrenheit. But before using your oven, be sure to double-check the temperature.
Don’t forget to gradually warm your crockpot as well. It may be preferable to start your slow cooker in a 200-degree oven and afterward increase the temperature if you want to cook at 375 degrees.
Heather is a passionate writer who loves anything DIY. Growing up, she learned everything from home repairs to design, and wants to share her tips with you. When she's not writing, she's usually hiking or searching for her next DIY project.
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