This question from a reader:

I am wondering if any of the readers have a frugal idea to replace those
expensive crock pot liners?   I try to make something in the crock pot
once a week, to eliminate those meals on the run.
The liners make clean up a breeze, but are expensive and just add to the
plastic in the land fill.  Does any one have a frugal or environmentally
friendly solution?  I have noticed that frugal and environmentally
friendly seem to go together most of the time.
Thanks!

Any ideas?

I've never used a crockpot liner, but I spray the inside of my crockpot with cooking spray, and that helps keep food from sticking.

Same here - I use spray. Since liners may be made from a particular substance I would hesitate to substitute something that wasn't made for crock pots or cooking. Today our local ABC News Affiliate is doing a story on BPA that is found in all plastics and containers.

I also use cooking spray.  When the crock is empty, I put it in the sink with detergent and hot water and let it sit for a bit.  That makes cleanup much easier.

Mary

Spray is the best IMHO.  I've used the liners, but I think they're too expensive.  Some people worry about using the sprays, but you can always buy a refillable pump type bottle and fill it with canola oil for the same thing.

I do like the liners but won't buy them b/c of the cost and extra waste for the landfill. I first tried them after my mom put a box in my christmas stocking, LOL. But after scrubbing out my crock pot just this noon, I do need to spray my crock before using it. I did let it soak overnight so not a bad clean up but spraying would have saved me a bit of time.

Until I read this, I had no idea there was such a thing as a Crock-Pot liner--and even now that I know they exist, I can't say I see any need for them.  I've never found cleaning the crock to be all that difficult.  Just soak it in some hot water with a squirt of soap, and then wipe it out.  Simple.

Hi everyone,

I have an old West Bend crock pot that I got as a wedding gift 27 years ago and unfortunately its doesn't have a non stick surface and I tried cooking spray and it never worked.  It was always a hassle to clean so I reluctantly put it away years ago until someone told me about the liners.  I really like this crock pot and its the only one I use the liners in.  My Rival crock pot is fine with just a spritz of cooking spray. 

I'm just now getting around to clipping coupons from the inserts in the Sunday paper, and found one for oven roasting bags, to put a turkey in. I got to wondering if that would be a good substitute for crockpot liners. i have no idea if they are cheaper or not though. Other than that, I have no idea. Maybe a sheet of aluminum foil from one of those really long rolls, could be molded to fit inside the crock? 

I also use the nonstick sprays inside my crockpot.. it's not nonstick either.  I haven't seen a crockpot with a teflon coating, but would sure buy one.

If I'm making something like rice that I know will stick, I will rub the inside with some plain old butter. Does a better job than the spray or so it seems. But if I'm doing a beef roast or something like that, as long as there is plenty of liquid in there, it doesn't stick other than a bit around the rim. Again, a good soak with a squirt of dish liquid works on that.

Cheryl:

I'm just now getting around to clipping coupons from the inserts in the Sunday paper, and found one for oven roasting bags, to put a turkey in. I got to wondering if that would be a good substitute for crockpot liners.

   I'm not sure you could ... I'd checked with Reynolds about using those in a roaster, and they said no, something about not using it in an enclosed area, if I remember right.