Everyone has that one unforgettable kitchen mishap that sticks with them for years, and I’m no exception. Mine happened when I made the mistake of placing a hot lid upside down on my brand-new glass stovetop.

I heard an immediate cracking sound, and my heart sank. I hadn’t even realized that setting a hot lid like that could damage the surface, but sure enough, my pristine stove now had a permanent crack.

That incident completely changed the way I approach cooking and appliance safety. Since then, I’ve become much more mindful of how I use my kitchen tools and have made it a habit to learn more about the right—and wrong—ways to use them. But despite all my efforts to be cautious, I still come across kitchen horror stories that surprise me. Just the other day, while scrolling through a Facebook group I follow for cooking and kitchen advice, I saw a post that made my jaw drop. Someone had posted a picture of their stovetop completely covered in chili—so much so that you couldn’t even see the surface underneath.

The explanation? The person had used a crockpot to cook chili on high for six hours. Since it wasn’t fully done, she decided to place the ceramic insert on the stovetop for another hour. Later, after it had cooled, she tried to move it to the fridge, and the bottom of the crockpot suddenly fell out, dumping chili everywhere. I couldn’t imagine the horror of having to clean that up. Honestly, if that had been me, I might’ve just sat down and cried before even touching a towel.

The comments poured in, and one message was repeated over and over: never put a crockpot insert on the stovetop. But what makes that such a big mistake? To understand why this is such a problem, it’s important to know how crockpots are designed. Crockpots, also known as slow cookers, are built to cook food gradually over several hours using low, steady heat. The ceramic insert inside is meant to handle the gentle warmth of the crockpot’s internal heating element—not the direct, concentrated heat of a stovetop burner. When you place that insert on a gas or electric burner, the focused heat causes the ceramic to expand rapidly, something it was never made to do. That kind of stress can lead to cracks or, in the worst-case scenario like the Facebook post, the entire bottom giving out and sending hot food everywhere. What’s worse is that the damage doesn’t always happen immediately.

Sometimes the insert may not shatter right away, but it could develop micro-cracks—tiny fractures that you can’t see with the naked eye. These hidden cracks weaken the structure and make the crock more likely to break during its next use. Not only does this risk ruining your meal, but it also poses safety hazards like burns and even electrical issues if the crockpot’s heating element is compromised. On top of that, shattered ceramic can scratch or damage your stovetop, especially if you have a smooth glass or ceramic surface. It’s not just a mess—it’s a repair bill waiting to happen. You might be wondering if it’s safe to use any ceramic dish on the stovetop. The general answer is no. Most ceramic cookware isn’t made to withstand direct heat.

There are special types like flameware or stovetop-safe ceramics, but those are exceptions and clearly labeled as such. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions before using any ceramic dish over a burner. So what’s the bottom line here? Keep your crockpot on the counter where it belongs. It’s designed for slow, consistent cooking—not for stovetop use. If your recipe needs additional simmering, transfer it to a pot or pan that’s meant for the stove. It might mean a little more cleanup, but it’s well worth it to avoid a massive disaster. After my own glass stovetop incident, I’ve become a lot more cautious about how I use my kitchen equipment. I still love trying new recipes and using fun gadgets, but I approach everything with a new level of care. Every time I hear another story like this, it’s a reminder that kitchen accidents are just one small mistake away. Let’s all learn from these moments, stay safe, and keep our crockpots far away from the stovetop.