A slow cooker is supposed to cook your food slowly over a long period of time at a low temperature. This allows the flavors to meld together into tender, delicious meals. However, this only works properly if the slow cooker can heat up to the correct temperature. When your slow cooker isn’t getting hot enough, it can lead to unsafe food or very lengthy cooking times. Troubleshooting why your slow cooker is not heating and repairing the issue will allow you to get back to making tasty roasts, stews, and dips. This comprehensive guide will teach you how to diagnose and fix heat problems with your slow cooker.
How Slow Cookers Heat
Before you can troubleshoot why your slow cooker isn’t getting hot, it helps to understand how it is designed to heat up. Here is a quick overview of slow cooker heating mechanisms:
- Heating Element – There is an electric heating element along the sides or bottom of the inner pot that heats up when powered on. This heating element transfers heat to the inner pot.
- Thermostat – There is a thermostat that monitors the internal temperature and cycles the power on and off to the heating element to maintain the set heat level.
- Insulated Outer Shell – The outer shell helps retain heat, so less energy is required to maintain temperature.
- Glass Lid – The tight-fitting glass lid traps heat and moisture.
If any part of this heating system gets damaged, the slow cooker may not heat properly.
Slow Cooker Not Heating At All
If your slow cooker isn’t heating up whatsoever, start simple and work your way to testing components. Here is how to troubleshoot a completely cold slow cooker:
1. Check the Electrical Power
Make sure your slow cooker is getting power by:
- Plugging into Working Outlet – Plug into an outlet you know works, like one powering another device.
- Checking Plug Condition – Make sure the prongs and cord don’t have any damage. Bent prongs can cause poor contact.
- Testing with Voltmeter – Use a voltmeter to check if there is power running through to the plug.
2. Test the Thermostat and Controls
On simple manual slow cookers, test the thermostat by turning it to high. You should hear clicks as it tries to power the heating element.
On programmable cookers, test all the settings and confirm the display changes. The cooker should try initiating heating sequences in test mode if working right.
3. Check Components and Fuses
You’ll have to take apart the housing and test key components like:
- Heating Element – Check for visible damage. Test its resistance with a multimeter.
- Thermal Fuse – Test for continuity. It’s a safety fuse that blows to prevent overheating.
- Control Board – Swap it out with a known working replacement board if possible.
- Wiring – Check for loose plugs or damaged insulation.
In most cases, you’ll find a faulty heating element or blown thermal fuse preventing the slow cooker from heating at all.
Slow Cooker Heating Too Slowly
If your slow cooker seems to work but doesn’t get hot enough, here are tips for troubleshooting insufficient heat:
1. Test the Temperature
Try heating just water on high for one hour. Measure the temperature to see if it is reaching the 190-200 F safety range for bacteria after one hour on high. If not, there may be an issue with:
- Heating mechanism not cycling enough
- Poor contact with the inner pot
- Too much heat loss
2. Inspect the Lid and Gasket
A bad seal around the rim of the lid can lead to heat and moisture escape. Look for:
- Cracks, warps, or other damage to the lid
- Tears or missing sections of the gasket
- Gasket not sitting flush against the rim
3. Check Components
Though not heating fully can be caused by the same parts as not heating at all, it’s likely just one component is damaged enough to cause lower but not complete heat failure:
- Thermal fuse may be going bad and tripping early
- Heating element may have a partial break lowering heat output
- Thermostat may be miscalibrated
- Insulation may have gaps allowing heat loss
4. Test Heat Loss Issues
If you don’t see damage to the lid or the components check out, heat might be escaping in less obvious ways:
- Glass Cracks – Small cracks in the glass lid may leak heat. Replace lid.
- Insulation Failure – If there are no visible gaps, try replacing insulation altogether.
- Thermal Paint Loss – The interior ceramic coating can wear off meaning more heat loss to the inner shell. Re-coat.
Testing components with a multimeter can help narrow down what needs replacing.
Read More: Your Ultimate Guide to Small Kitchen Appliance Organization
Slow Cooker Repairs
Once you’ve diagnosed what part is causing your slow cooker to not heat properly, you can move onto replacing or repairing the component. Refer to your owner’s manual if you have it for model-specific instructions.
Heating Element Repair and Replacement
With electric heating elements, replacement is usually easier than repair. Follow these steps:
- Unplug slow cooker and confirm power is disconnected
- Remove housing, exposing inner components
- Detach and remove faulty heating element
- Install new heating element of correct wattage
- Reassemble housing and test
Be careful of exposed wires, and don’t force components that seem stuck.
Thermostat and Control Repairs
If the thermostat, control board, or programming buttons are damaged, replacement or professional repair may be required. Key steps include:
- Locating model number so the replacement part matches
- Desoldering any wired connections from control board
- Transferring any programming via physical chips, if possible
- Attaching and testing replacement part
Don’t attempt control repairs unless you have electronics experience to ensure proper assembly.
Thermal Fuse Replacement
The thermal fuse helps prevent slow cooker fires and damage from overheating. To replace:
- Remove housing to access fuse mounted on frame or near heating element
- Note what temperature rating the fuse has printed on it
- Detach fuse from mount and detach wires
- Attach wires to new same-rated thermal fuse
- Secure fuse back into mounted location
- Test trigger temperature with a thermometer
Operating the slow cooker without this safety fuse is extremely unsafe.
Lid Repair and Gasket Replacement
While replacing entire glass lids can get expensive, the gasket is inexpensive. Refer to your model’s documentation for exact remove and installation. Typically, you will:
- Pop off the old gasket from the groove by hand or with a flathead screwdriver
- Remove any gasket adhesive residue
- Apply small amount of high-temp RTV silicone to new gasket
- Press gasket into place evenly around lid rim
- Allow to cure overnight before use
This will restore your seal and maintain more consistent heating.
Also Read: Slow Cooker Problems and How to Fix Them
Slow Cooker Maintenance and Prevention
With proper care and maintenance, you can prevent many slow cooker heating issues in the first place. Here are key things to do to keep your appliance trouble-free:
Cleaning
- Descale element and pot with distilled white vinegar and water to reduce mineral buildup
- Use non-abrasive scrubber and soap for stuck-on residue
- Towel dry thoroughly after cleaning
- Don’t immerse base, only the removable pot, in water
Storage
- Store with lid ajar or off completely to allow moisture to evaporate
- Don’t stack items on top or keep them near heat/cold sources
- Place all components back in cooker when not in use to prevent loss
Heating Habits
- Don’t overfill pot beyond 2/3 full mark to allow proper airflow
- Alternate between low and high cook settings
- Stir thoroughly for even heating
- Don’t preheat empty or cook without the lid
Handle Carefully
- Check that electrical cord is not frayed or damaged
- Carry appliance by handles or base, not the lid
- Ensure pot insert and lid are secured during transport
Follow usage guidelines in the manual and avoid dropping, overheating, cleaning improperly, or other physical damage.
When to Call a Repair Technician
While many issues can be addressed with a thorough troubleshooting process and replacement parts, sometimes it’s safest to call in a professional. Seek expert slow cooker repair help for:
- Complex disassembly required beyond user maintenance
- Control panel issues not fixed by replacement
- Pervasive burning smell indicates serious overheating
- Sparking, buzzing, or shocking during operation
- Damage you don’t feel safe attempting to repair
Though repairs can get expensive, replacement is often cheaper than buying a whole new slow cooker. Get a quote before you decide to simply throw out your faulty cooker.
Slow Cooker Replacement Tips
If your appliance is very old or the repair cost exceeds 50-75% of a new device, purchasing a new slow cooker may be your best option. When shopping, look for:
- At least 3-5 year warranty
- Removable ceramic or metal insert for durability
- Well-insulated metal or plastic housing
- Clear temperature levels and cooking programs
- Safety features like auto shutoff and thermal fusing
- Positive reviews confirming consistent heating
Buying a higher-end product from a reputable company will give you the best shot at avoiding problems down the road.
Conclusion
It can be frustrating when your set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker leaves food undercooked because it’s not heating properly. However, in most cases, you can troubleshoot the root cause and repair your existing appliance instead of replacing it.
Use this comprehensive guide detailing common heating issues, diagnostic tips, repair instructions, preventative maintenance, and replacement advice. With a bit of patience, testing, and component swapping, you’ll soon have your slow cooker heating happily again. That means hours of more hands-off time to do other things while it transforms tough cuts into tender masterpieces.