How to Clean a Crusty Crock Pot
Dear Jamie:
I scrub my slow cooker for hours on end, yet I still cannot get those cholent stains out. Help!
Shayna in Chicago, IL
Hi Shayna,
Oh the post-Shabbos, Sunday (and Monday ritual) of trying to clean that cholent pot….Take heart! There are several solutions. First of all, before making your cholent (or any slow-cooker dish), liberally spray the entire inside of your pot with cooking spray. This can cut down on the food that gets stuck to the sides.
Some people use a crock pot liner so when it’s clean up time, you just toss out the liner. But my mom always goes crazy when she sees me cooking plastic for 12+ hours – so you, your mom or mom-in-law have to be comfortable with this solution. So do you research on this option.
If you opt for the no liner method, here’s is a handy dandy tip from my good friend Hadassah: fill your pot with a solution of 3 parts water and one part vinegar, and put it on low for about 4 hours. This should really help eliminate some of that ingrained cholent stain.
Happy cleaning (if there is such a thing!)






hi Jamie! speaking of crock-pots, I was wondering if you have any recipes for crock-pots that can be used for Shabbos; a recipe that can be 1/2 cooked before shabbos, as required by Torah law, and still be good for Shabbos day. Soups, meatballs etc… all these are good! I just some good recipes because I don’t like how cholent tastes too much. Thanks!
What Goldie???? you no like chulent? did you try mine? http://www.youtube.com/user/joyofkosher#p/search/0/Ae2-lQVFsGw but if it’s really not your thing then try this hearty soup its almost stew like and should last you well into shabbos day, http://www.joyofkosher.com/recipe/beef-porridge/ it’s a family favorite.