How to test a slow cooker?

I am sure it is a bit of a silly question, but how do you test a slow cooker to see if it actually works? Obviously just cook something in it, but I don't have the food to potentially waste from sitting in a defective sc all day. I half filled my questionable sc with (cool) tap water about forty five minutes ago and set it to low. If I can find my thermometer I will check what the temperature is throughout the day and see what it's like. Beyond doing that?

Make a soup so if it's not working it's easy to put in a saucepan to cook.

Make sure there is no meat in the soup

Thats a good idea. I didnt think of that. have just the packet of veges to use up! Yay. And yes, if it does fail, soup should do me good.

My soup wasn't very good. I don't have much taste at the moment, but still... I used a packet of mixed frozen veg, which I rinsed in hot water until defrosted, added an onion, some stock powder and tin of tomatoes. Blegh. The vegetables were not a nice texture at all, and I don't know if it was just the veges, or if my sc doesn't really work. Still. *Sigh* Dog food. Crap. Not even, has onion. Even though ALL the onion floated to the top.... Most appealling.

I should just stop with this pos and get a new one, which I know works, and then can be more positive about slow cooking, and doing it well!

How long did you leave it on for?

If it was a few hours then yes, its had it.

They have really come down in price over the years so keep a look out for sales and then get a known brand one

Netix I picked up a Bellini at Target last winter for about $70, it was reduced reduced, it's great. The pot bit can go on the stove so I can brown in it and then throw it back into the slow cooker. Keep an eye out for one like that!