Slow cookers are a real game-changer in the kitchen. As the name implies, they are designed to simmer food. In addition, most cooks use slow cookers to soften and retain moisture for tricky things like chickpeas or beans. 

So what happens when the dish isn’t ready, and it’s time for dinner? You can think of speeding up the slow cooker cooking process by transferring it to the oven. But can you put the ceramic part of a slow cooker in the oven? This article will provide the answer in detail and give you some special notes.

Quick Rundown On A Slow Cooker’s Structure

A slow cooker consists of a ceramic inner pot and an outer shield or shell made of metal. It keeps the heat inside the pot and controls the temperature. In addition, there is a metal element that acts as a heating element at the bottom of the pottery.  The slow cookers with plastic lids and metal outer bodies are not very heat resistant. Both of these components absorb heat due to the ceramic interior. 

In short, you are not allowed to put the whole slow cooker in the oven; both your slow cooker and your oven will be devastated simultaneously. So, if you want to put the slow cooker in the oven, you should just put the ceramic bowl in there.

Can You Put The Ceramic Part Of A Slow Cooker In The Oven?

Yes, you can put the ceramic part of a slow cooker in the oven because ceramic is highly resistant to heat. The heat of a conventional oven or microwave is not enough to affect the ceramic bowl of your slow cooker. Therefore, manufacturers often use a ceramic bowl inside slow cookers because it easily withstands all heat to cook you a proper meal without cracking or breaking under heat.

When the slow cooker was first invented in the 1940s, it was not oven-friendly because its material was resistant to the oven’s heat. However, as new cooking techniques have emerged in recent years, the crockery pots inside the slow cooker have been replaced by ceramic materials. 

This idea appeared in the 1970s. At that time, many women started working outside in the office, so they wanted to prepare food in the morning and then reheat for dinner when they returned from work. Since then, you can disassemble and place the ceramic part in the oven.

However, the answer to this question may vary depending on the type of slow cookers. In addition, not all slow cooker parts are oven-friendly. To better understand the answer to placing the slow cooker in the oven, we’ll explain its construction and materials.

How To Put The Ceramic Part Of A Slow Cooker In The Oven?

If you have studied how to use a slow cooker and have experience cooking, you can quickly put a slow cooker into the oven. However, beginners need to follow a few precautions to ensure that the slow cooker works perfectly in the oven. Read the following instructions.

Step 1: Warm the ceramic part

Before you put the ceramic part of a slow cooker in the oven, it’s a good idea to warm it up on the slow cooker because the ceramic can crack if it goes from cold to hot in a short time. After warming up the pot, you’ll need oven gloves to move the ceramic part from the slow cooker to the oven.

Step 2: Disassemble the ceramic part

Make sure you only disassemble and use the ceramic interior; never put the lid and the heating element inside the oven. 

• The slow cooker has a removable ceramic inner part, and you can use the ceramic in the oven for up to 400°F. 
• The parts of the slow cooker that you shouldn’t put in the oven include the outer shell and the power plug.

Newer models replace the ceramic part with metal. Metal can handle the heat so that you can also use it in the oven. However, if it’s made of any other material, double-check the manufacturer’s oven instructions to ensure it’s an oven-safe material.

Step 3: Cover the ceramic part with foil 

Only place the ceramic part of a slow cooker in the oven and leave the lid uncovered. Most of the lids have plastic handles and are prone to melting in the oven. Make sure you remove all plastic parts. 

So instead, you can use an oven-safe material like aluminum foil to cover the pot. You can use some foil to seal the top in place of the lid.

Step 4: Choose the right temperature and time

After placing the ceramic part of a slow cooker in the oven, you need to set the temperature below 400°F.  Do not put your slow cooker in the oven if the temperature exceeds 400°F. You need to monitor the temperature and time to put the ceramic part in the oven correctly. If anything goes wrong, it can be hazardous.

Finally, run the test by putting the dish in the preheated oven for a few minutes, and continue to monitor the dish.

4 Things To Consider When Placing Slow Cookers In The Oven

You can put the ceramic part of a slow cooker in the oven. However, there are some notes that you need to keep in mind to do this effectively.

Understand your slow cooker components

In general, you can use slow cookers made entirely of ceramic materials in the oven. However, if your pot is made of any material other than ceramic, you should avoid placing it inside the oven. It may damage your pot or may create cracks in it. 

For example, if the handles are made of plastic or any other material, you mustn’t put them inside the microwave as they can melt and cause a minor malfunction in the kitchen.

Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions

You should check your specific manufacturer for instructions on this topic. They often have specific instructions on the circumstances and precautions for using crockery and keeping it in the oven or microwave.

Check the ingredients of the dish

Some dishes have materials that are suitable for both the oven and the stove. However, certain dishes either work just fine on the stovetop or are used only in the oven. Since the materials from which they are made are only suitable for ovens or stoves, you must pay attention to the selection of dishes and check the ingredients when working with the oven or on the stove.

Find an alternative solution

Finally, if you’re not sure your slow cooker is oven-safe, you can safely transfer the dish to a ceramic dish before putting it in the oven. It’s a bit inconvenient, but it minimizes damage to your slow cooker.

Conclusion

Remember, only the ceramic part is suitable for placing inside the oven or microwave. In contrast, you shouldn’t place non-ceramic parts such as plastic handles or spoons inside the oven. Therefore, you aren’t allowed to use the whole slow cooker in the microwave or oven as it only leads to ruining your slow cooker and oven at the same time. 

To see if pottery is ideal for microwaves and ovens, you should check its material. And follow our precautions to put the ceramic part of a slow cooker in the oven safely.