10 things you probably didn’t know your slow cooker could do

Who doesn’t love slow cookers? They are one of the best appliances in our kitchen, and can make some of the best dishes.

But did you know that these handy machines are also great for other purposes?

Here’s 10 of our favourite ways to use a slow cooker/crock pot, other than cooking! Which will you try?

1. Make crayons

What you need: 

• small slow cooker
• small plastic ladles
• used crayons
• plastic or silicone moulds with various shapes
• pot holders
• paper towels

Steps:

1. Sort crayons by colour. Remove paper and break into pieces, 2cm or smaller.
2. Cover bottom of crock pot with whatever colours you like, about 2cm deep
3. Turn crock pot onto low setting and allow crayons to melt for approximately 30 minutes. Wait 20 minutes before you stir and check periodically to see if completely melted.
4. Use ladles to carefully pour melted crayon into molds.
5. Cool crayons in freezer for approximately 10 minutes.

2. Dye yarn

What you need:

• a slow cooker
• wool yarn
• several colours of Kool-Aid (can be bought from specialised candy stories)
• large spoon
• colander
• vinegar

Steps:

1. Start by filling the crock pot with water (and a little vinegar if you want) and submerging the yarn in there.
2. Let it soak for a moment, then turn on medium heat and put the lid on – the yarn should soak for at least 15 minutes or so (longer is fine) before dyeing, and the lid should fog up to show that it’s hot.
3. Cover one half of the yarn in the pot with whatever colour you like, and the other half with another, sprinkled directly from the packet into the pot.
4. Cover with the lid and let it sit until the dye fully absorbs into the yarn, so the water looks clear and the yarn is coloured.
5. Use your spoon to turn the yarn over, so all the undyed yarn from the bottom is now on top. Dye with different colours.
6. Cover and let the dye absorb again, then use your spoon to turn the yarn around and search for white spots.
7. Once the dyeing is complete, turn off the heat, and let it sit in the water to cool for awhile.
8. Scoop the skein out with the spoon, into the colander in the sink, and let it cool all the way to room temperature there.
9. Rinse a bit, with water of the same temperature, and squeeze the water out as much as you can, without twisting.
10. Roll up in a towel to dry more, shake it out, then hang to dry overnight or until totally dry.

3. Make old fashioned bar soap

4. Make liquid soap

Detailed instructions here

5. Whip up some sunscreen

What you need:

• 1 cup of 100% pure shea butter
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 115g beeswax
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 teaspoon or more liquid vitamin E
• 3 tbsp Zinc Oxide powder

Steps:

1. Combine all ingredients except the Zinc Oxide in the crockpot.
2. Heat on high until all ingredients are completely melted
3. Slowly, whisk in the three tablespoons of Zinc Oxide.
4. Carefully, pour into mason jars or other heat safe containers and let sit uncovered until cooled.

6. Play dough

What you need:

• 1 cup salt
• 1/4 cup cream of tartar
• 2 cups hot water
• 2 teaspoon cooking oil
• 2 cups flour (or you can use rice flour to make it gluten free)
• 1 cup corn starch

1. Plug in your crockpot and turn to low to warm up slowly.
2. Dump in your dry ingredients, stirring to evenly distribute.
3. Add the water and oil. Close the lid and switch the heat to high.
4. Set a timer and check your play dough every 30 minutes, stirring well each time.
5. You will know it’s done or close to done when the playdough begins to form a ball when you stir it. When that happens, remove the stoneware insert from your crock pot and stir some more. Dump it out onto a smooth surface and begin to knead. If your dough is overly sticky, add a bit of cornstarch; if overly dry, add a touch more hot water. Each time you make the dough, the water required will be a bit different, depending on the humidity in the air.
6. Separate the dough into manageable lumps and push a hole into the centre for a few drops of food colouring.
7. Squish the dough around to distribute the desired colour.

7. Candles

What you need:

• slow cooker
• old tea cups or small glasses
• wicks
• scented oil
• old candles/melts

Steps:

1. Cut or grate candles and melts
2. Place cups into your slow cooker.
3. Fill your cups with the cut up wax as high as you can. Be careful not to spill any into your slow cooker. You could place tin foil along the bottom if wanted.
4. Drip in a few drops of any new scented oils if wanted.
5. Turn on LOW for a couple of hours.
6. Once your melts are completely melted, add the wicks.
7. Once the cups are cool enough to touch, take out and place them on the counter to cool. Clip the wick if necessary.
8. When they are completely cooled, light and enjoy!

8. Lip balms

What you need:

1. 2 tablespoons beeswax
2. 2 tablespoons coconut oil
3. 2 tablespoons shea butter
4. 12 lip balm containers
5. dropper

Steps:

1. Melt beeswax in a small pan or crockpot over low heat. Add coconut oil and shea butter until all ingredients are melted. Add a few drops essential oil if desired.
2. Using a small medicinal dropper, pour the melted liquid into your lip balm containers. Add a few extra drops to the top after filling each container as the ingredients will shrink as they cool.
3. Cool completely to harden. Cover with cap and decorate or label as desired.

9. Neutralise bad odours

What you need:

• water
• baking soda
• crockpot

Steps:

1. Pour water into the crockpot you are going to use. Add baking soda and mix. Turn onto low and keep the lid off.
2. Let the baking soda do the job of soaking up unpleasant odours.
3. If you would prefer to use the crockpot as an air freshener, fill with water, and add essential oils or pot pourri.

10. Rose water

What you need:

• Handful of rose petals
• Boiling water

Steps:

1. Clean the petals and place in medium slow cooker.
2. Cover with boiling water and squish down to ensure all immersed.
3. Keep on for 8 hours on low.
4. Strain the liquid and place in containers. Use within a week or freeze!