Crock pot cleaning

[Victor]

I have used a crock pot for soaking coins for many years with pretty good results. I use distilled water and sometimes put a mild detergent; but usually only distilled water and set it to low heat. I check them periodically and maintain the water level.

[echizento]

Never tried using this method. I wonder if it would work well using olive oil?

[Victor]

I wonder if it would work well using olive oil?

I expect that the oil would smell a bit as it got hot and began to break down until it eventually turned rancid. The smoke point of olive oil is fairly high ( between 356- 400 degrees) so you would not have to worry about it bursting into flames, but I am pretty sure it would have a strong odor.
 
You would probably have to change it quite often, unless the smell didn't bother you...my wife would not be happy at all!

[otlichnik]

Victor, 

How long do you leave coins soaking for with the crockpot on?  For days continuously?  I also assume you have bought your own crockpot or do you get away with borrowing the kitchen one....

Shawn

[Victor]

Shawn,

Yes, I soak them for days at a time, but check them every day or so by giving them a light scrub. You also have to add water as it evaporates fairly quickly.

I also have a crockpot just for soaking coins, so no need to use the kitchen one.

[otlichnik]

Thanks for the clarification.

I have a small hotplate and thought of leaving coins in a pot on it with the heat turned down low.  However, I never did as it did not seem safe to leave on for too long.  But a crockpot is a much better idea. 

There certainly seems to be a benefit to having the DW warm.  I notice the effect of DW, or Gringott, soaks declines significantly when the water temperature is cold - as in a Canadian or Austrian basement where my uncleaned are usually banished to.

Shawn