Other Amazing Things Your Slow Cooker Can Do (Besides Food)

If we would ask you what can a slow cooker do, probably the first things that would come to your mind are soups and stews.

Now, think outside the dinner box. Besides vegetable soups, mashed potatoes, or dishes with chicken, beef, or pork, what more can it do?

Surprisingly, there are tons of recipes you can try using this kitchen wonder. Did you know you can create healthy goodies like oatmeal, yogurt, and granola with your Crock-Pot? How about sweet treats like brownies, pudding, bread, cupcakes, fruit butter, and candies? Yes, your slow cooker can make them! Add your Friday night ultimate combo to that list: the all-time favorite pizza and glorious chicken wings. Terrific, right? Bet you’ll be Googling for the best slow cookers and where to buy slow cookers to start making those foods for yourself with minimal supervision.

But wait, that’s not all! This time, think like there’s no dinner box. Did you know that these handy machines are great for non-food items as well? Truly, this cooker is slow but terrible — in a positive way!

Here are some of the amazing things that slow cookers can do that you may not have known about:

1. Candles

Rule no. 1: If it melts, most likely you can create it in the slow cooker. If you love scented candles but hate to spend much for them, you can just make your own homemade candles using a few cheap ingredients. By using a slow cooker, you can melt the wax at steady heat, and you will less likely get your hands burned compared with using a double boiler.

2. Crayon

Do you have a lot of unused crayons at home that your kids want nothing to do with any longer because they are broken or too short? Instead of always buying another set, recycle them using your Crock-Pot. Melt them down (sorted by color, of course), pour the melted crayon into disposable molds, and let them harden again.

3. Modelling clays

Give your little ones something to boost their creativity, minus the big cost, by making your own Play-Doh-like modeling clays using the slow cooker. You just need simple kitchen items such as corn starch, flour, salt, cooking oil, cream of tartar, food coloring, and hot water, and you’re ready to make them happy.

4. Dye yarn

If you’re a fan of DIY crafts, Crock-Pot yarn dyeing is a must-try for you. You can even use Kool-Aid for it!

 

5. Bar soap

By using your slow cooker, you can also make your homemade bath soap. In just one week, you can have a sudsy bar of soap using lye, olive oil, coconut oil, water, and essential oils if you want to add a fragrance.

6. Lip balm

Your Crock-Pot can really do wonders for your beauty needs. By using shea butter, coconut oil, beeswax, vitamin E, and essential oils, you can create your own DIY lip balm. The mixture hardens quickly, so your lips can be immediately pampered for moisturizing.

7. Air freshener

Neutralize bad odors with your own slow-cooked air freshener. Just pick a scent recipe you like, simmer the ingredients on your Crock-Pot, and freshen your home in no time.

8. Sanitized baby stuff

Babies are fond of sucking, chewing or just putting toys in their mouth. You don’t want them to get all the germs the toys can collect, so to sanitize their toys effectively, simmer them in your slow cooker. Just add a cup of white vinegar to water and let the toys sit there for less than an hour.

9. Paint removal from metal hardware

The slow cooker is also at your service for some home decoration blunders. If you don’t like your doorknob or hinges to have paint over them, use your handy crockpot and laundry detergent to create a mixture that can easily wipe paint out.

The slow cooker is truly a versatile appliance with applications ranging outside the kitchen. However, it’s best to use an old machine for these DIY crafts, or buy another one besides the slow cooker you’re using for food. Look for some slow cooker discounts to get the best deal available for your money.