I have the opposite problem. I've been using my crock pot for so many years now that I've simply cooked the finish right off of the crock but the heating element works like a champ. Wish I lived near a city so I could hit the thrift shops for a new crock! Oh well, they make those disposable cooking bags for them now so I'll just continue to use those in the crock until I need both parts replaced. Good Luck!