We don't want our cooking to be electrifying

August 2, 2008 11:20 AM

Our Proctor Silex crock pot made an unexpected visit to the sink--not just the internal cooking bowl, which is made to be washed, but the electric heating dish, and we're trying to decide whether it's safe to use it again.

To our knowledge it wasn't fully submerged, but it did have water running over it now and then for well over a day. Do we need to throw it out? Has anyone else done this, and not been electrocuted when trying to use it later?

The safe answer is to throw it out, but we're really poor right now and would rather not have to replace it.

posted by mrbula to Home & Garden (10 answers total)

I would just let it dry out for a few days, maybe a week, and then plug it in. At worst, it will short circuit and set off your breaker. The only dangerous thing about submerging these appliances is trying to run them when they are damp.
posted by The Light Fantastic at 11:31 AM on August 2, 2008

Yep once it dries try it out if it works without a problem it is likely fine. as long as it wasn't plugged in when it went in the water there isn't much in a crock pot that could be damaged by a little water (depending on how fancy the crock pot is).
posted by humanawho at 11:33 AM on August 2, 2008

I expect it'll be fine.
posted by kindall at 11:38 AM on August 2, 2008

Has anyone else done this, and not been electrocuted when trying to use it later?

I doubt you'll be hearing from those that were!

A crock pot is a very simple device, even simpler than a toaster. It has one or two toaster-like heating coils wrapped around the base and a simple two position on-switch that turns on one or both coils. Shake it thoroughly to remove excess water and make sure there is no water sloshing around between the walls. Let it dry for a day or two and you should be good to go.
posted by JackFlash at 11:50 AM on August 2, 2008

Yeah, water is only dangerous with electric/electronic components when they're actually wet, since the water conducts electricity. Once it dries out it'll be fine. With electronics, water and other liquids can lead to mold growth on printed circuit boards which can damage them, but the most complex component in a crock pot is a switch. Just let it dry out.
posted by DecemberBoy at 11:59 AM on August 2, 2008

Give it a week to really dry out and you should be good to go. If it's dry and warm outside, you could sit it in the sun to speed things along.
posted by Thorzdad at 12:14 PM on August 2, 2008

Leave it outside for a couple days. In this heat, it'll dry out right quick. Most crockpots (not the fancy-schmancy electronic ones, obviously; but the "classic" kind) are just a big freakin' resistor.
posted by notsnot at 12:14 PM on August 2, 2008

IANAE(letrician) Your kitchen should have GFCI plugs. It's worth verifying, as this is a serious safety measure. Is there an outlet with a tester? You shouldn't throw the toaster in the sink, even on a GFCI, but you're less likely to be electrocuted. Dry crockpot + GFCI plug = what time is dinner at mrbula's?
posted by theora55 at 3:16 PM on August 2, 2008

Response by poster: Thanks for the responses. We'll try letting it dry out for a few days. (And, yes, we have GFCIs in the kitchen.)
posted by mrbula at 5:27 PM on August 2, 2008

If my laptop can survive being left out in a major rainstorm so much that you could see water in the screen and work after drying out, I'm betting a crockpot will work again!
posted by tamitang at 7:26 PM on August 2, 2008