Have you ever had a cooking catastrophe that still haunts you? I sure have. I remember the day I opened my brand-new glass top stove and placed a hot lid upside down on it. The sound of the glass cracking is something I’ll never forget. I had no idea that placing a hot lid directly on the stove could cause such damage, especially on something almost new. That experience made me much more cautious in the kitchen. I became vigilant about kitchen safety, learning how to use appliances properly and taking every precaution.

But even with all that caution, I still find myself in risky situations. Just the other day, while scrolling through a kitchen-focused Facebook group, I stumbled upon a post that left me shocked. A homeowner had shared a picture of what looked like chili splattered all over their stove. The entire surface was covered, making it impossible to see anything underneath. The story behind it was even more startling. The chili had been cooking for six hours on high in a crockpot. Since it wasn’t done, the owner decided to put it back on the stove for an additional hour. But when she tried to place the cooled crock in the refrigerator, the bottom fell out, spilling the chili everywhere. I can’t even imagine how one would clean up such a mess. If it were me, I’d probably spend hours crying before figuring out how to deal with the disaster.

So, what went wrong in this situation? Many people commented on her post, and the consensus was clear: you should never, under any circumstances, place a crockpot on the stove. But why is that the case?

Can You Use a Crockpot on the Stovetop?

The simple answer is no. A crockpot is not designed for stovetop use. Slow cookers like crockpots are intended to cook food gradually over low heat, making them ideal for soups, stews, and chili. The ceramic insert in a crockpot is meant to be heated slowly and evenly, not subjected to the intense heat of a stovetop burner. Here’s why it’s dangerous to use a crockpot on the stove:

Crockpots are made with ceramic inserts that can easily chip or crack when exposed to sudden temperature changes or high heat sources. Placing a ceramic crock on a stovetop exposes it to direct heat that it wasn’t built to withstand. Gas or electric burners produce concentrated heat that can cause the ceramic to heat up too quickly. As seen in the Facebook post, this rapid heating can lead to cracks or even cause the bottom of the crockpot to break off.

What Can Happen?

If you put your crockpot on the stove, several bad outcomes are possible. The most common problem is that the ceramic insert will break, leading to a messy stove and potential burns from the hot food. If your stove has a glass or ceramic top, the ceramic shards could also scratch it.

But that’s not the only risk. The ceramic insert might develop tiny, invisible cracks that compromise its integrity. These cracks could cause the crockpot to break during future use. There’s also a small chance that damage to the crockpot’s heating element could create electrical hazards.

Is Any Ceramic Dish Safe for the Stovetop?

You might wonder if any ceramic dish can be used on the stovetop. Generally, the answer is no. Most ceramic dishes aren’t designed to handle the direct heat of a burner. There are exceptions, such as specially made ceramic cookware or flameware, but these are rare. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using any ceramic dish on the stove.

The Lesson Learned

The key takeaway? Your crockpot is made for the countertop, not the stovetop. Stick to slow cooking, and if you need to transfer your food to the stove, use a saucepan or skillet that’s designed for it. Trust me, your kitchen (and your sanity) will thank you.

Since my own glass top stove disaster, I’ve become a bit obsessed with kitchen safety. While I’m more careful with my cooking gadgets, I still love trying new recipes. However, every time I hear about someone else’s kitchen mishap, I’m reminded that another disaster could be just around the corner. So, let’s stay cautious and keep crockpots off the stovetop!