How do I clean the cooking element of my crock pot?

I am assuming the cooking element is a sealed unit that the cooking pot sits down into.....if it is, take a damp dish rag and wipe the element off. If its stuck on, take a damp dish scrubber and rub at the stuck on stuff. As long as you don't get the cooking element really wet and allow water to sit on the cooking element, you will be okay. After you get the element clean to your liking, wipe it out well with a dry dish towel and allow it to sit without the cooking pot in it for awhile....you want the cooking element to dry out all the way. What you can't do is run water into the cooking element - which you obviously understand.