I have a puzzling electrical situation. I have this mini Crock Pot that makes an excellent alternative to microwaving things. Lately, when I go to arrange the food inside it while it's plugged in, I get current running into my fingers! Now, I broke one a while back so I have an exact idea of its guts.

There is a solid ceramic pot that is heated by a ribbon-shaped ring element - in other words, there should be no possible way for current to be passed to the liquid inside the pot.

So why am I getting shocked?

Are you touching the outside of it at all?

Nope - I'm usually trying to arrange large pieces of ramen so the noodles can absorb the soup. This last time, the ramen itself hadn't even been moistened where I was touching!

Is the ceramic pot's glaze 100% intact and is the pot itself completely free of any (even hairline) cracks?

I haven't examined it that closely, but there's been no reason that I recall that it shouldn't be. (I thought of that too - it doesn't leak that I've seen.)

Tanarian : yes, but running it dry or manafacturing defects can happen too. Also, are you using metal utensils? You could be getting an induction current if that it the case.

Mr Volare : No metal utensils, just fingers.

Maybe you're an android and just don't know it?

Occasionally some ceramic glazes have metal in them, that's why you can't use some Ceramics in the microwave. I wonder if there is some leakage across the glazing from a potential short circuit from the element to the shell of the unit. I would recommend that you dispose of that appliance and get a new one that's more electrically safe

dkronfeld : Too many system failures.

... running Windows

dkronfeld : Pfffft

Roberto : I'll have to see if the red one does it too.

You need to throw it away and get another one, ASAP. That's a fire waiting to happen.

/me agrees with Ms Kara