Can You Put a Crock-Pot in the Oven? (Quick Safety Guide)

Is it safe to put a Crock-Pot in the oven? What is the maximum oven-safe temperature? Which parts are oven-safe?

In this quick guide, I answer all of these questions and more.

And, since Crock-Pot is only one brand, I also share with you the oven-safety instructions for several other slow cookers.

Keep reading to learn essential safety instructions and how to get the most out of your slow cooker.

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Use the links below to navigate the article:

• Can You Put a Crock-Pot in the Oven? The Short Answer
• Are Other Slow Cookers Oven-Safe?
• Can You Put a Crock-Pot on the Stove?
• How Hot Do Crock-Pots Get?
• Precautions to Take When Putting a Crock-Pot in the Oven
• Final Thoughts

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Can You Put a Crock-Pot in the Oven? The Short Answer

If you do a quick search online, you’ll find articles debating whether Crock-Pots are safe to use in the oven. 

After scouring user manuals and speaking directly with representatives at the brand, here’s the short answer.

Crock-Pots’ removable stoneware insert is oven-safe up to 400°F and microwave-safe. However, the heating element and lid are not oven or microwave-safe because they are made of plastic and other materials that will melt.

Keep in mind, the stoneware insert and all other parts of a Crock-Pot are not broiler-safe because most broilers get hotter than the maximum oven-safe temperature of 400°F.

Below is a screenshot from the user manual validating that the stoneware insert is oven-safe, but it doesn’t specify the maximum temperature.

To get more information and find the stoneware’s maximum oven-safe temperature, I contacted Crock-Pot customer service. They told me the following:

“Upon checking, all Crock-Pot Slow Cooker removable crockery inserts (without lid) may be used safely in the microwave and oven up to 400°F. If you own another slow cooker brand, please refer to your owner’s manual for specific crockery cooking medium tolerances.”

Below is a screenshot of my chat with Crock-Pot customer service:

Are Other Slow Cookers Oven-Safe?

Remember that Crock-Pot is a brand that makes slow cookers, but it’s not the only slow cooker on the market.

If your slow cooker is made by a different brand, the previous section’s instructions do not apply. Always refer to the user manual for the specific brand and model of the slow cooker you own.

In this section, you’ll learn whether other popular slow cookers are oven-safe too, and what safety guidelines you need to know.

Although the oven-safety guidelines vary by brand, the heating elements and lids are not oven-safe across all brands.

Hamilton Beach Slow Cookers

Hamilton Beach slow cookers stoneware vessels can be placed in the oven, but it does not specify the maximum temperature. So use extreme caution if you own a Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker. Also, never put it in the oven when empty, and like all slow cookers, don’t put the lid in the oven.

Cuisinart Slow Cookers

Cuisinart slow cookers are not oven-safe. The user manual states that you shouldn’t place it in a heated oven or near hot gas or electric burners.

All-Clad Slow Cooker

The All-Clad slow cooker with a cast-aluminum insert is oven-safe up to 400°F (insert only). It’s also safe on gas and electric cooktops, allowing you to brown ingredients on the stove before slow cooking.

The All-Clad slow cooker with a ceramic insert, however, is not oven-safe.

KitchenAid Slow Cookers

KitchenAid states that the ceramic insert isn’t recommended for oven use, but it is oven-safe up to 300°F for up to an hour. The lids are not oven-safe.

Calphalon Slow Cookers

Calphalon states that its slow cooker insert is oven-safe, but it doesn’t specify the maximum temperature. If you need to cook something in the oven, use a roasting pan or contact Calphalon to learn the oven-safety guidelines. Like the other slow cookers, the lid is not oven-safe. 

Can You Put a Crock-Pot on the Stove?

Never put your Crock-Pot on the stove because the direct high heat will cause thermal shock.

Thermal shock happens when a breakable material, such as the Crock-Pot stoneware insert, is exposed to a drastic change in temperature, either extreme heat or cold. When this happens, the material expands and contracts unevenly and can lead to it breaking into pieces.

You should also be careful about placing the Crock-Pot on the stovetop even when there is no heat. The stove grates can scratch the insert.

How Hot Do Crock-Pots Get?

A common misconception about Crock-Pots is that the High setting cooks at a higher temperature than the Low setting.

The truth is, both the High and Low reach the same maximum temperature: 209°F. It’s just a matter of how fast they reach that temperature. When you use the High setting, it takes 3 to 4 hours to stabilize at 209°F. But on the Low setting, it takes 7 to 8 hours.

If you use the Warm setting, the temperature remains between 165°F and 175°F.

If a recipe calls for temperatures over 209°F, you may want to use a different pan and roast in the oven.

But if you need to add more heat in the beginning or at the end of a long slow roast, it’s safe to put the Crock-Pot insert into the oven up to 400°F.

Some other brands allow you to set the slow cooker’s temperature, but most don’t exceed 300°F.

Precautions to Take When Putting a Crock-Pot in the Oven

Although a Crock-Pot is oven-safe, there are some precautions you should take to maintain safety.

• Always follow the recommended oven-safe temperatures. Do not exceed 400°F.
• Use potholders and two hands when moving the insert to and from the oven.
• Don’t overfill the Crock-Pot.
• Avoid drastic temperature changes. Don’t put a cold insert (say, from the refrigerator) directly into a hot oven. Likewise, let the stoneware completely cool before placing it into the fridge.

Final Thoughts

Crock-Pots are designed for the countertop with the built-in heating element. However, the stoneware insert is safe in the oven up to 400°F. Never put the heating element or lid in the oven.

Although people use the words “Crock-Pot” and “slow cooker” interchangeably, every slow cooker brand has different usage instructions. Always read the user manual for your specific brand and model before using it in the oven.

Bottom line — your best bet is to use another dish for oven use. But if you decide to use the Crock-Pot stoneware insert in the oven, proceed with caution and never expose it to temperatures above 400°F.