Want to use crockpot liners but afraid it's unsafe

Raw

Fri, Jul 28 2023, 12:18 am

I've never used crockpot liners and spend a lot of time cleaning the crockpot out after Shabbos.
Until now, I've hesitated to buy the liners because I'm pretty careful to avoid BPA, unnecessary chemicals, etc. in my cooking.
Are liners very problematic?
Does using them change the flavor or consistency of the food being cooked?
I'd love to hear your opinion.
Thanks!

amother

Daffodil

Fri, Jul 28 2023, 12:22 am

They are full of chemicals I would not want in my food. I do not use them. But to some people convenience trumps health. So they do use them.

No one here can tell you that using liners are as safe and healthy as without them. People just don't care or think the health risk is negligible.

amother

Yolk

Fri, Jul 28 2023, 12:25 am

You can also press in a piece of parchment paper if you're afraid of plastic.

lucky14

Fri, Jul 28 2023, 12:38 am

Fill your crockpot with water and baking soda and turn it on for a little while til it all heats up for a bit and then clean it out. It will clean out much easier.

amother

Cornsilk

Fri, Jul 28 2023, 12:49 am

I always use them. I had no idea there were any safety issues.
Please don't assume people don't care and that convenience trumps all.
I assumed that if they sell these things they must pass a test for safety.

Raw

Fri, Jul 28 2023, 12:50 am

amother Yolk wrote:

You can also press in a piece of parchment paper if you're afraid of plastic.

Thanks for this tip. Does using parchment paper change the texture of food at all or will it cook as normal?

amother

Yolk

Fri, Jul 28 2023, 12:50 am

amother Cornsilk wrote:

It's not any less dangerous that ziploc bags holding your food.

amother

Orange

Fri, Jul 28 2023, 12:50 am

amother Cornsilk wrote:

Lol noooo
The FDA approves so many ingredients that are banned in Europe
I would never use the crackpot liners. Soak in hot water it's no big deal

amother

Bone

Fri, Jul 28 2023, 12:50 am

amother Yolk wrote:

You can also press in a piece of parchment paper if you're afraid of plastic.

Does it actually have fewer chemicals?

amother

Orange

Fri, Jul 28 2023, 12:51 am

amother Yolk wrote:

It's not any less dangerous that ziploc bags holding your food.

Way worse because it's heated + length of time

zaq

Fri, Jul 28 2023, 1:08 am

I distrust any plastic used in cooking. Even if it's touted as being food safe, that's true, if it's true at all, only below a certain temperature. You have no way of knowing if your oven or crockpot will develop hot spots that exceed that temperature. Foods high in fat or sugar are particularly prone to overheating in spots. I'd rather scrub, tyvm. A ceramic crock pot usually comes clean without too much trouble if soaked in water for a while. I use a thin old plastic card like a transit card or credit card to scrape the glop off the sides and bottom. And if any is left, it usually flakes right off after it dries.

smss

Fri, Jul 28 2023, 1:21 am

Reynolds crockpot liners are nylon, which BPA is not a concern with as far as I understand.
Nylon is only toxic at temps of 400+, your crockpot probably gets to 225 max.

amother

Bone

Fri, Jul 28 2023, 1:37 am

amother Bone wrote:

Does it actually have fewer chemicals?

Plastic gets a bad rap, but is there actually proof that parchment paper is any better?

amother

Taupe

Fri, Jul 28 2023, 1:42 am

I had this problem and then started spraying oil before I put anything in/cook it. Everything slides right out.

amother

Glitter

Fri, Jul 28 2023, 1:56 am

Crock pots are full of chemicals too. Especially non-stick ones. And many ceramic crock pots have a lead coating. Anyway the world is full of dangerous chemicals that we eat and breathe all the time. I doubt avoiding crock pot bags will make much difference to your health.

amother

Amaryllis

Fri, Jul 28 2023, 1:58 am

I don't recommend to use them. Especially not with Ashkenazi genetics and plastics, not worth it. Why don't you ask for crockpot cleaning ideas from everyone who doesn't use liners?

Iymnok

Fri, Jul 28 2023, 2:04 am

Just put water in as soon as you empty out the cholent.
After Shabbos it should just slide out.
After I clear the chicken, I put the pan on the sink and drop all the silverware in with soapy water. The silverware cleans easily for the morning. You could do the same with the crockpot.

amother

Freesia

Fri, Jul 28 2023, 2:12 am

Iymnok wrote:

Are you halachically allowed to put water in a hot crockpot? Isn't that cooking it?