The outer shell of my crockpot (large, 6 or 7 quarts, maybe) just obtained a large dent near the bottom, which separated the outer shell from the bottom band that goes around. When I take out the crock, the inner shell that has the heating elements appears undamaged, but there's a 2 inch separation between outer and inner shells now near the bottom.
Do you think it's still safe to use? Already have the beans soaking for chili and don't have a big enough pot to cook a batch of chili in.
I though I was going to be able to pound out the dent from the inside when I took out the crock...and that's when I realized you couldn't see the dent from the inside! :) Oh well...my husband went ahead and left it on all night with the chili and the chili smells good and it seems to be working fine...but yup, will be replacing it because it freaks me out to have an appliance that's not the way it's "supposed" to be. I really don't want my house to burn down!!
Thanks, mamas! :)
If it was just a dent, I would say go for it, but if the jacket is actually separating, get rid of it.
mine has a big old dent too, but it didn't separate the parts or anything. i say if the heating element is unaffected you're probably fine - just use it for the first time on a day when you'll be around (don't plug it in and leave for 6 hours :)) i'm sure it will be fine. might not cook exactly evenly if the heat is escaping...
i got a gorgeous new one for christmas a couple years ago, not 6 months later it had a dent :( i didn't want to take it to any family functions (my mom gave it to me) but other than that it is fine...
Mine is dented, but not separated....which puts yours in a different category.
Why take a risk? Use 2 separate pots & toss the crockpot.
Better safe than sorry. :)
I would plug it in away from anything flamable, just in case and see if it heats, with no sparks, or sizzle sounds. It should be okay to use but to be on the safe side you can always set it on a cookie sheet or other similar surface. If it smells hot or like rubber burning unplug and don't use.
The cool thing is I have seen many slo-cookers at places like Goodwill, that do not have the insert. You may be able to find an outer shell that fits your inner peice.
If there is no damage to the electrical parts of this cooker -- could it be pounded out with a rubber mallet? I love Mr Fix-it men they usually know just what to do. Unfortunately my Mr Fix-it friend is a busy man with a girlfriend so I hate to bother him, though I know she wouldn't care.
All that outer layer is is a decorative shell so you don't see the wires. Ask yourself if you car had a small dent would you think it was unsafe? Most of the outer shell of a car can be removed and the car is still safe, ya know?
I brought some stuff into work last year and while in the car my daughter just pushed her foot against it and dented it. We still use it, it doesn't matter at all.
Oh the heating element is on the bottom, good luck denting that area. Both my husband and I know electronics and most things electrical. That dent is nothing more than an aesthetics issue. If you are the kind of person who needs everything all nice and pretty so you must buy a new one fine, but don't kid yourself that you are doing it for safety issues because there is nothing unsafe about that dent.
Oh, yeah, and the other reason it is safe is that you never submerge the outer part of the crock pot, just the crock.
