RIP crockpot
this is a result from using the stoneware to cook some bacon on the stovetop in preparation for making potato chowder. added bacon to room-temperature pot, let it heat up over the range on medium heat. few minutes later, crack. most of the char you see came from the resultant grease fire.
i'm okay, the kitchen is okay if a little burnt-smelling, and i'm not sure what i did but i'd like to not do it again. ._.
ETA: wow, i feel ridiculous. all right, lesson learned. *headdesk headdesk headdesk*
on the upside, i have justification for buying a smaller crockpot now.
ETA2: so it turns out it was my own stupidity which led to this. i humbly submit myself to be flogged around the fleet now.