This is basically a funny warning story about misusing a slow cooker.
The important clarification is that you can put lots of things in a slow cooker—that’s what it’s designed for. The problem is that you shouldn’t put just anything in it.
What should NOT go in a slow cooker?
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The electrical base: Never put the base itself in water or immerse it for cleaning.
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Anything not rated for cooking: Only use the removable crock/insert and accessories specified by the manufacturer.
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Sealed containers: Don’t heat sealed jars, cans, or tightly closed containers because pressure can build up.
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Some delicate cookware: Don’t put a random glass or ceramic dish inside unless the manufacturer says it’s safe for that use.
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Frozen large pieces of meat: These can spend too long in the temperature “danger zone”; thaw meat safely before slow cooking unless your specific appliance instructions say otherwise.
And if the roommate was trying to heat something in its original plastic packaging, that’s another major concern—ordinary food packaging isn’t necessarily designed for prolonged slow cooking.
So the joke in the headline is “apparently, she didn’t know you cannot put anything in the slow cooker”—but technically the opposite is closer to the truth: you can put many foods in a slow cooker, but you need to use the appliance and containers as intended.
