We all know slow cookers make meals that are so convenient and delicious we can’t live without them. But there are at least seven other uses this magical pot has been keeping under its lid.
Now, before we blow your mind with the extra curricula things a slow cooker can do, we should point out that you’re best using a slow cooker you never intend to cook with again.
That out of the way, the slow cooker (or what was known many years ago as the ‘crockpot)’ is a modern day marvel. And that extends to all kinds of nifty products that you can use both on yourself and around the house.
1. Paint removal
Paint removal usually requires a highly toxic chemical to get the job done, but for small metal objects, a slow cooker and water is the answer.
Fill the slow cooker with water, set the dial to high, drop whatever hardware you want to strip paint from inside, and leave it overnight. You do need to be careful what type of material and paint you’re working with though.
This method only works on oil, latex and spray paints so is not to be used for clear finishes like lacquer. This method won’t harm hardware made of non-rusting metals like copper, brass or aluminium. You’ll end up with a little rust on steel-not enough to ruin hidden parts like hinge pins or screws, but possibly enough to roughen shiny surfaces. If the steel has a plating like chrome or brass and the plating is already flaking off, this method will cause more flaking.
2. Soap maker
The simple project takes just an hour, and you can customise your bar of soap with essential oils or fragrances.
You need water, olive oil, coconut oil and sodium hydroxide from the hardware store. To calculate the amounts of each product you will need, use an online calculator like this one from Soapcalc.net as every recipe will differ depending on the kind of soap you wish to make. Take special care when handling the sodium hydroxide; work in a well-ventilated area, and wear gloves and glasses.
Once you’ve gathered all your materials, you just need to weigh the ingredients, toss them in the slow cooker, and an hour later you have wonderful bars of soap.
2. Candle making
If you’re looking for an easy, no-fuss, safe way to make candles or a great homemade gift, look no further. All you need is to buy the wax for your candle and you’re good to go.
The no-mess part comes from using the slow cooker instead of a double boiler, and constructing the entire candle in the ceramic pot itself. Shred your wax, fill the containers you’ll be using for your candles, then put them in the crock pot with just enough water to partially submerge the containers. Leave them on a low heat until your wax is perfectly melted and ready for you to add colors, scents, and the wick.
3. To dye fabric.
You will need:
A slow cooker
Yarn
Dye of your choice (acid dye, plant dye, or food colouring dye)
White vinegar (for acid or food colouring dye) or cream of tartar and alum (for plant dyes that need a mordant)
A large spoon for stirring (note, do not use for food after you have used this spoon for dyeing)
Rubber gloves and a face mask (especially when handling acid dyes, you do not want to breath the particles)
Directions
Whether you are dyeing with acid dyes, natural dyes, or food colouring dyes, you can use a slower cooker both as a dye bath container and as a heat source to help your yarn to absorb dye.
1. Thoroughly wet your yarn and let it soak in vinegar (for acid or food colouring dye) or alum and cream of tartar (for most natural dyes) for at least an hour.
2. In the meantime, fill your slow cooker up with water and dye of your choice. Since slow cookers are small, you may have to recalculate how much dye and water to add, but keep the proportions the same as what the label recommends.
3. Add your yarn to the dye bath and leave submerged in your crock pot for an hour. Put the lid on the crockpot and make sure that it is set to medium.
4. Removed dyed skeins from your crock pot and rinse in room temperature water until they rinse clear. If are using a wool or alpaca yarn that is not super wash, be careful not to significantly switch temperatures, or it could felt your yarn.
5. Hang your yarn until it is dry.
4. To clean jewellery
To create the solution, simply pour about a cup of vinegar into your crock pot. You can mix in some water, too, if you want, but it just weakens the solution and makes it take longer to clean metal. Put the lid on the pot and put the heat up to medium or high. Heat is essential – a cold pickle works very poorly, if at all. Leave jewellery in the pot overnight for best results.
5. To make play dough
Ingredients:
2 cups flour (or you can use rice flour to make it gluten free)
1 cup corn starch
1 cup salt
1/4 cup cream of tartar
2 cups hot water
2 tsp cooking oil
1. Plug in your crockpot and turn to low to warm up slowly.
8. Separate the dough into manageable lumps and push a hole into the centre for a few drops of food colouring. Squish the dough around to distribute the desired colour.
6. To make potpourri
Simply remove the peel (as little white as possible) from 2 oranges. Put those in the little crock pot or sauce pan along with a palmful of whole cloves, whole allspice, and 3-4 cinnamon sticks. Cover with water and plug in the slow cooker or and let the smell work it’s magic! Remove after water reduces and dry.
7. To make paraben-free body lotion
Skip the parabens and artificial fragrances and get soft, naturally moisturised skin.
Ingredients:
1. Plug in your crockpot and turn to low to warm up slowly.
Found this helpful? You might like these as well:
31 times quotation marks really shouldn’t have been used.
DEBRIEF DAILY