Got a crock pot you’re not using? Have a look at these non-food DIY ideas for slow cookers including a smart gardening tip, home improvement ideas, and beauty and craft projects.
This is all part of the catalog of creative ideas here at Empress of Dirt.
New Creative Uses for Slow Cookers
If you spend time browsing recipes online, you know the Instant Pot—a multi-function food cooker (pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, warmer, and more) is enjoying huge popularity. I got the Instant Pot – Air Fryer combo and use it almost daily.
Instant Pot | Amazon
Slow Cooker | Amazon
This got me thinking about all the slow cookers out there that are now unemployed. I’ve seen so many diehard slow cooker (crock pot) users say they have made the switch because of the possibilities with Instant Pot.
And this opens up creative ways to give the old crock pot a second life.
Why Slow Cookers are Good for Crafts and More
A slow cooker is basically a warming unit with a ceramic bowl insert, with low, medium, and high settings. The ‘smart’ ones allow us to program additional settings including times and temperature changes. Some also work with phone apps.
Even the most basic models (the older ones are usually white with ceramic bowls inside, 3 settings, no electronics, no timer) can work nicely for any craft or DIY project that requires some stove top or microwave oven heating, or simple use of a double boiler. Some of us are never comfortable to heat dyes or craft materials in a food preparation area so a portable crock pot may be the solution.
Keep in mind that once you dedicate your slow cooker to crafts, it has most likely crossed over to the craft gear section and should not go back. Also keep in mind that whenever you use an appliance in an unconventional way, you are voiding the warranty and any liability, so proceed at your own risk.
If you do not have a slow cooker, try yard sales and thrift shops or other sources listed in these Thrifty Shopping Tips. Or ask a friend who has Instant Pot-mania if they want to hand over their old crock pot.
1Speed-Up Seed Germination
Slow Cooker Seed Germination Bag Method
This is suitable for the specific group of seeds that do best with extra warmth (but not too warm) for germination. basil including beans, melons, peppers, tomatoes.
You can also germinate seeds using the yogurt setting on an Instant Pot.
- Prepare seed bags by placing seeds on damp paper towel (not too dry or wet) and enclosing the whole thing in a Ziploc bag.
- Remove crock insert from slow cooker.
- Set slow cooker to warm.
- Place a baking sheet on top.
- Add a towel or dish cloth.
- Sit seed bags on top.
- Make sure paper towels do not dry out.
- Some slow-to-germinate seeds will sprout in just 24 hours.
- Alternate idea suggested in the video: a portable electric frying pan could also be used.
Related: Best Soil Temperatures for Seed Germination
2Remove Paint from Hardware
This method is intended for old pieces of hardware including drawer pulls and knobs. I have not tried it on many items but others say it works on spray paint, acrylic, and oil paint. Lacquers may not come off.
Choose non-rusting metals like copper, brass, and aluminum unless you are okay with possible rusting.
Door locks and other items with moving parts could be damaged in the process as they will be submerged in water and could rust.
Dispose the old paint carefully taking proper precautions if it could be lead-based.
Here’s the method in the video:
- Fill slow cooker crock with water.
- Add hardware.
- Place on high for a few hours.
- Takes 5-7 hours for paint to soften.
- Handle with tongs (hardware is very hot) and test to see if paint is peeling off.
- If ready, remove from slow cooker.
- Use soft toothbrush to push paint off.
3Make Lotion Bars
Many homemade beauty lotions and balms are made by melting ingredients so they can be combined, and then placing them in some sort of mold or container where they cool and harden. Here’s some ideas that work in a slow cooker instead of using a stove top or microwave oven.
Lotion Bars
In this recipe, the ingredients include:
- Coconut oil
- Beeswax
- Shea butter
- Vitamin E oil
- Essential oil (orange)
Basic Steps
- Measure ingredients and place in slow cooker.
- Turn on high for 1 hour.
- Add drops of essential oil and stir.
- Pour into mold and allow to cool and dry.
4Make Homemade Soap
Many soap makers use a cooking pot on a stove top to mix their soaps, and the slow cooker can do the same thing (providing even heat during the mixing process). Soap recipes vary but the mixing temperature for soap ingredients is generally between 100-120°F (37-48°C).
Soapmaking from scratch requires the use of lye (sodium hydroxide), a primary ingredient required for true soap, and use requires careful safety procautions.
I don’t use the slow cooker, but instead use my stove top. You can see my favorite recipe for soothing soap for dry skin here.
Other beauty products you can make in a slow cooker include lip balm and sunscreen.
5Dye Wool Yarn
Dyeing Wool Yarn with Acid Dyes in Slow Cooker
Some dyeing methods require a certain temperature range for best results. In this video, you will see pure wool yarn transformed using basic acid dyes and vinegar.
It is a very easy way to create unique yarn for sock knitting and other projects. Keep in mind that just like popular fabric dyes only work on fabrics made from natural materials like cotton, silk, or linen, many yarn dyes can only bond with pure wool, not synthetic yarns.
Related: How to Dye Fabric Naturally With Plants
6Slow Cooker Play Dough
I’m not sure if it offers any advantage over no-cook play dough methods, but it could be fun with the kids/grandkids. | Slow cooker play dough
7Make Crayons
If you save up all those little crayon stubs, you can melt them down and make new ones. | Slow cooker crayons
8Homemade Candles in Jars
There are two basic options for candle-making.
- You could melt the wax in the crock and make hand-dipped candles, where you repeatedly hand-dip a wick in the melted wax, gradually building up layers.
- Or, you can melt the candle wax directly into jars sitting in the crock, and add wicks. | Slow cooker candles
9Clean Beeswax
In the video (above), the beeswax from the hives is placed in a straining bag and heated in the slow cooker.
The handy tip in this video is the use of the stringed bag, much like a piece of cheesecloth but with better control, gathering all the dirt and debris in the wax. You can get bags like this made of cheesecloth or muslin or other materials on Amazon.
Bees bring home a lot of stuff along with the nectar and pollen! If you do not keep bees, you can buy ‘dirty’ beeswax at a reduced price and clean it yourself.
Related: 15 Creative Projects Using Beeswax
10Warm Hand Towels
Never leave your slow cooker unattended when trying unconventional ideas like these ones.
Have you ever used warm hand towels in a restaurant after a nice meal? It’s very refreshing!
Dampen hand towels (not too much), roll up, and place in slow cooker on warm setting.
Monitor the temperature and place on a plate with tongs when ready. Test to make sure the temperature is just right.
Awwwww. Very nice.
11Humidify a Room
Fill slow cooker half way with water and turn on heat. Keep lid off to allow water to evaporate. Do not allow the slow cooker to run dry.
12Potpourri and Essential Oil Diffuser
Place favorite ingredients (e.g. orange slices, cinnamon, nutmeg, or lavender oil) in water and run slow cooker on low heat.
Be sure you are choosing an oil suitable for this purpose.
I hope you have found some projects to try. Maybe you have an old crock pot sitting in your closet just waiting for a new life.
~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛