Skip The Plastic Liners: This Accessory Makes Crock-Pot Cleanup A Breeze

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It has been nearly a century since Irving Nachumsohn patented the first slow cooker, later named the Crock-Pot. There are countless slow cooker recipes that make our lives easier, and this humble appliance sitting on so many kitchen counters revolutionized home cooking. Even so, that doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement. Fix-it-and-forget-it cooking may make meal prep easier, but what about the cleanup afterward? One of the common mistakes people make when using a slow cooker is forgoing nonstick cooking spray. This can lead to food stubbornly sticking to the sides of the crock and a frustrating mess to soak and scrub. Putting in a liner solves this issue, and reusable silicone liner inserts make cleanup a breeze. 

BPA-free, heat-resistant plastic liners do exist, but they are disposable. With a silicone liner, you just take it out, wash it by hand or run it through the dishwasher, and it's ready to go for next time. This is also helpful if you struggle with fine motor skills or lack the strength to lift and maneuver the crock. Silicone is significantly lighter than ceramic.

Liners that divide the Crock-Pot into two or more compartments are also available in silicone,  allowing multiple foods to cook at the same time without mixing. Reynolds designed a DIY hack for building a Crock-Pot divider out of heavy-duty foil, but this seems like a lot of trouble to go through when there's an environmentally friendly product designed to do the job without relying on a careful balancing act and a prayer.

Consumers have many options when shopping for silicone slow cooker liners. Brands generating positive buzz online for single-compartment liners include Sophico, Maywe Tanso, and Froven. Typical sizes range from 4 to 8 quarts, and picking the right one is important. Although the liners are flexible and will still work even if they aren't a perfect fit, you don't want to get one that is way too big or small to avoid uneven cooking or the lid not fitting on. Be sure to check your slow cooker's measurements before you make your final decision.

Liners that portion the Crock-Pot's cooking space offer literal and figurative flexibility. CrockPocket silicone dividers are compatible with brand-name Crock-Pots and have earned a 4.5 out of 5-star average rating on Amazon. One customer praising the liners noted that they have " a nice thickness and a good balance between sturdy and flexible." The Magikichen silicone Crock-Pot divider is another highly praised product Amazon customers seem to enjoy. They loved being able to serve multiple party foods at the same time, like Swedish meatballs and slow-cooked little smokies.