How to Clean a Slow Cooker (Step-by-Step 2026)

HomeWhisk earns commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page. We research picks from specifications and owner reviews; we do not test products ourselves.

TL;DR — Unplug it and let it cool, then remove the ceramic/stoneware insert and lid and wash them in warm soapy water or the dishwasher (if safe). Wipe the heating base with a damp cloth — never submerge it. For stuck-on food, soak the insert or use the baking-soda-and-vinegar method. Avoid thermal shock (no cold water on a hot insert). Soaking and never submerging the base are the keys. The HomeWhisk team compiled this from care guidance and aggregated feedback. For picks, see our best slow cooker guide.

The HomeWhisk editorial team researches kitchen equipment by analyzing manufacturer specifications, cleaning guidance, and aggregated user reviews from major retailers and cooking communities. This guide reflects established cleaning principles, not personal testing.

A slow cooker is easy to clean, but the removable insert and the electrical base need different treatment, and stuck-on food takes a soak. Here’s the step-by-step. For choosing one, see our best slow cooker guide.

Step-by-Step Cleaning

Cleaning a slow cooker centers on the removable insert and lid, with the electrical base treated separately.

1. Unplug the slow cooker and let it cool. Disconnect it from power, and let the ceramic insert cool down before washing — putting a hot ceramic/stoneware insert into cold water can crack it (thermal shock). Let it cool to warm or room temperature first.

2. Remove the insert and lid. Take out the removable ceramic/stoneware (or metal) insert and the lid (usually glass) from the heating base. These are the parts that hold food and need washing.

3. Wash the insert and lid.

• Wash them in warm soapy water with a sponge or non-abrasive scrubber, or in the dishwasher if they’re dishwasher-safe (most ceramic inserts and glass lids are — check your manual).
• Wash off food residue; for stuck-on food, soak first (see next section).
• Rinse and set aside to dry.

4. Wipe the heating base (never submerge). The heating base contains the electrical element and must never be immersed in water or put in the dishwasher. Wipe it with a damp cloth with a little dish soap to remove any splatter or spills, then wipe with a clean damp cloth. Keep water out of the base and away from the cord/controls.

• For spills that ran down into the base, wipe carefully with a damp cloth; ensure it’s fully dry before use.

5. Dry everything thoroughly and reassemble, or store the insert in the base.

That’s the core process — cool it, wash the insert and lid, wipe the base without submerging it, and dry. The key rules: let the ceramic insert cool before washing (avoid thermal shock) and never submerge the electrical base. Our best slow cooker guide covers models with dishwasher-safe inserts.

Removing Stuck-On and Burnt-On Food

Slow cookers often get stuck-on or burnt-on rings of food, especially at the sauce line. Here’s how to remove it without scrubbing hard.

Soaking (the easiest method): fill the insert with warm soapy water and let it soak for 15-30 minutes (or longer for baked-on food) to loosen the residue, then wash normally. Soaking does most of the work — don’t scrub aggressively at dried food.

The baking soda and vinegar method (for burnt-on residue): for stubborn burnt-on or stuck-on rings: 1. Fill the insert with warm water covering the residue. 2. Add a few tablespoons of baking soda. 3. Add a splash of white vinegar (it’ll fizz). 4. Let it soak (some let it sit, or gently heat the water-and-baking-soda in the slow cooker on low for an hour to loosen tough residue — check your manual), then scrub gently and rinse. The baking soda and vinegar loosen and lift burnt-on food without harsh scrubbing.

Other tips for stuck-on food:

• Baking soda paste: make a paste of baking soda and water, apply to stuck spots, let sit, then scrub gently and rinse.
• Non-abrasive scrubbers only — avoid steel wool or harsh abrasives that scratch the ceramic glaze; use a non-scratch sponge or plastic scraper.
• Don’t use metal utensils to scrape (can chip/scratch the glaze).
• Avoid thermal shock — never pour cold water into a hot insert (crack risk) or vice versa.

For the glass lid: wash in soapy water or the dishwasher; for cloudy residue or hard-water spots, a vinegar soak or wipe helps.

Soaking and the baking-soda-and-vinegar method handle almost all stuck-on and burnt-on food gently, without aggressive scrubbing that could damage the glaze. Our best slow cooker and best instant pot guides cover the appliances.

Maintenance and Tips

A few habits keep the slow cooker clean, protect the insert, and make cleaning easier.

Maintenance tips:

• Clean after each use — wash the insert and lid and wipe the base so food and spills don’t harden or build up.
• Let the insert cool before washing — avoid thermal shock (cracking) by not putting a hot ceramic insert into cold water.
• Soak rather than scrub stuck-on food — soaking is gentler on the glaze and easier than hard scrubbing.
• Use non-abrasive tools — non-scratch sponges and plastic scrapers, not steel wool or metal, to protect the ceramic glaze.
• Dry the base area and ensure the insert and lid are dry before storing.
• Consider slow cooker liners — disposable liners (placed in the insert before cooking) make cleanup nearly effortless (just remove the liner), if you want minimal cleaning.
• Check dishwasher-safe status — most ceramic inserts and glass lids are dishwasher-safe, but verify in your manual; the base never is.
• Wipe spills promptly — spills that run into the base should be wiped (carefully, base unplugged and cool) to prevent buildup.

Protecting the ceramic insert:

• Avoid thermal shock (sudden temperature changes) — the main cause of cracked inserts.
• Don’t use metal utensils that chip the glaze.
• Handle carefully (ceramic can crack if dropped or knocked).

The takeaway: unplug and cool, wash the insert and lid (dishwasher-safe on most), wipe the base without submerging it, and soak or use baking soda and vinegar for stuck-on food. Let the ceramic insert cool before washing to avoid cracking, use non-abrasive tools, and consider liners for effortless cleanup. Our best slow cooker and best instant pot guides cover options.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you clean a slow cooker?

Unplug it and let the ceramic insert cool (to avoid cracking from thermal shock), then remove the insert and lid and wash them in warm soapy water or the dishwasher if they’re dishwasher-safe (most are). Wipe the heating base with a damp cloth — never submerge it, as it contains the electrical element. For stuck-on food, soak the insert in warm soapy water first, or use the baking-soda-and-vinegar method for burnt-on residue. Dry everything before reassembling. Let the insert cool before washing and never submerge the base are the key rules.

Can you put a slow cooker insert in the dishwasher?

Usually yes — most slow cooker ceramic/stoneware inserts and glass lids are dishwasher-safe (check your manual to confirm). The heating base is never dishwasher-safe or submersible — only wipe it with a damp cloth. So the insert and lid can typically go in the dishwasher, while the electrical base stays out of water entirely. If you prefer, hand-washing the insert and lid in warm soapy water works too. Always verify your specific model’s dishwasher-safe status, and never put the heating base in the dishwasher or water.

How do I remove burnt-on food from a slow cooker?

Soak the insert in warm soapy water for 15-30 minutes (or longer) to loosen the residue, then wash. For stubborn burnt-on rings, use the baking soda and vinegar method: fill the insert with warm water covering the residue, add a few tablespoons of baking soda and a splash of white vinegar (it’ll fizz), let it soak (some gently heat it on low for an hour to loosen tough residue), then scrub gently with a non-abrasive sponge and rinse. Baking soda and vinegar lift burnt-on food without harsh scrubbing that could scratch the glaze.

Can I submerge my slow cooker in water?

Only the removable insert and lid — never the heating base. The base contains the electrical heating element and must never be immersed in water or put in the dishwasher; only wipe it with a damp cloth. The ceramic/stoneware insert and glass lid can be washed in water or the dishwasher (most are dishwasher-safe). So disassemble the slow cooker, wash the insert and lid, and only wipe the electrical base, keeping water away from the cord and controls. Submerging the base would damage it and create a shock hazard.

Why did my slow cooker insert crack?

Almost always from thermal shock — a sudden temperature change, like putting a hot ceramic insert into cold water (or adding cold water to a hot insert), or moving it from the fridge straight to a hot base. The ceramic/stoneware can’t handle rapid temperature swings and cracks. To prevent it, let a hot insert cool before washing, don’t add cold liquids to a hot insert, and don’t heat a cold (refrigerated) insert rapidly. Handle it gently too, since ceramic can crack from impacts. Avoiding thermal shock is the main way to protect the insert.

How can I make slow cooker cleanup easier?

Use disposable slow cooker liners — you place the liner in the insert before cooking, and afterward just lift out and discard the liner, leaving the insert nearly clean (minimal or no washing). Otherwise, clean promptly after use (before food hardens), soak stuck-on food rather than scrubbing, and consider a light coat of cooking oil or spray on the insert before cooking to reduce sticking. Washing the insert soon after use, while residue is soft, is the biggest factor in easy cleanup. Liners are the easiest option if you want to minimize cleaning entirely.

Related buying guides: best cookware sets, best moka pot and best air fryer.

The Bottom Line

Cleaning a slow cooker: unplug it and let the ceramic insert cool (to avoid cracking from thermal shock), then remove the insert and lid and wash them in warm soapy water or the dishwasher (most are dishwasher-safe). Wipe the heating base with a damp cloth — never submerge it, as it holds the electrical element. For stuck-on or burnt-on food, soak the insert in warm soapy water or use the baking-soda-and-vinegar method, scrubbing gently with non-abrasive tools to protect the glaze. Let the insert cool before washing and never submerge the base are the key rules, and liners make cleanup nearly effortless. See our best slow cooker and best instant pot guides.