Leaving an electric cooker plugged in can be a safety hazard and will increase power costs. Disconnecting an electric cooker allows you to clean, dry and store the appliance safely for its next use. Some electric cookers have safety features like automatic shut-off timers and instant-release cords that help to prevent fire damage and injury. You can quickly disconnect the electrical cord from an electric cooker after each use to ensure a safe cooking environment.
- Leaving an electric cooker plugged in can be a safety hazard and will increase power costs.
- Disconnecting an electric cooker allows you to clean, dry and store the appliance safely for its next use.
Review the owner's manual for the specific model of electric cooker you are using to understand how the electrical cord is attached. This information can usually be found in the "quick start" or "set-up" portions of the manual.
Turn the electric cooker to the off position and pull the plug from the outlet to disconnect the power source safely.
Allow the electric cooker to cool completely or wear oven mitts to pull the power cord away from the appliance. Many electrical cookers have cords that are held in place by magnets so they are easily pulled away when the cooker is dropped or the cord is tripped over.
TIP
Keep soap and water away from the area where the power cord was attached when cleaning the electric cooker. Most cookers cannot be submersed without causing damage to the electronics.
WARNING
Contact an electrician to safely disconnect an electric cooker that is hard-wired into the wall. Attempting to remove the power plug from a hard-wired system with the power on may cause severe injury or death.