Hamilton Beach 33956 Set 'n Forget 5-Quart Slow Cooker, White

Comment: I received this as a gift. The first one that was sent, the digitized panel wasn't properly on. I have no idea how to describe it except that it looked like it was popping off and not screwed down properly. So I sent it back and debated if I should return it for the exact same slow cooker, or try a different one.

I decided to stick with the same one and the second slow cooker arrived in perfect condition. I choose to get the same slow cooker because of the warming function, since I won't arrive home when all recipes are "done".

Overall I like it. It's a little bit large (takes up a bit of counter space AND it holds a lot) and so not all slow cooking recipes are suited for it. However it's easy to clean, use, set up, and cook in. I have not had trouble with the timer turning off before it was done cooking (so far I've used it twice, both times while at home just to be sure after I read some other reviews). I also have not tried the probe mechanism thingee.

I would rate this as decent, it does the job it's meant to do well. The temp seems fine and the warming function is something I forsee being of great benefit once I start using this thing a bit more.

Should my opinion change, I'll update this post. Otherwise, I give it 4 stars.

Comment: My slowcooker fell and broke so I needed to get a new one. I use my slow cooker very often and loved it. But when I was looking for a new one I found they no longer made ones with a non-glass lid and they all seemed so huge. I have a family of 6, but still all the slowcookers I saw in the stores were just too big. Then I found this one and read the reviews on it on other websites. When it arrived I found it was a perfect size, not too small and not too big. I can fit a whole chicken in it and roasts, but can also do a small amount of meatballs with sauce and it keeps it moist. I love the timer (I didn't have that before) so I don't have to be home at a certain time to turn it off, or set it at a certain time to make sure done exactly at dinner time. When it is done cooking it stays on warm until we are ready to eat! And the probe is amazing! I stick it in the roast, program the temperature that I want the item to reach and it stops cooking when it reaches that temperature and turns on to the warm setting until we are ready to eat. No more dried out roasts or chicken!!! The glass lid is great to see what is cooking and the seal around the lid and the clamps make it perfect for transporting or just good for keeping it in place with a good seal for cooking. This is the perfect slow cooker!

Comment: I purchased this unit based on price and the timer. It's been in use about 2 years and cracked the last time i used it. My last crock pot lasted something like 20 years, so I know how to use a crock pot. If this is all you can afford right now, then buy it. If you are looking for an appliance that you need to last, then DON'T buy Hamilton Beach. You truly do get what you pay for and this ceramic is not meant to stand the heat.

Comment: I received this new crockpot last week and gave it away the day after. I purchased it based on its positive reviews and my needs for a replacement that had about the same capacity. When the new crockpot arrived, I was surprised at how big the boxes were it came in, but even more surprised by the size of the unit itself. The outside electronic portion is huge! Way bigger than it needs to be to accomodate the inside crock. On top of that, it has handles that stick up several inches above the pan itself. I used it the day it arrived and was satisfied with the settings, the capacity etc but when I went to lift the hot crock out of the base, I found it nearly impossible. The crock barely extends over the sides of the base so there is very little to grab onto when wearing oven mits. The best chance of doing it is at the ends, however, those huge handles get in the way. Afterwards, I looked around my kitchen and tried to find a cupboard that was deep enough and tall enough to store this appliance and figured out that if I found such a space, I would likely need to remove a couple of other things to accomodate it. So, I gave it away and will continue to use my Westbend.

Comment: When it worked, it worked OK. But mine worked about three weeks, after that, everything appeared normal--the timer, the probe, manual mode, program mode-- except it wouldn't heat up. So when you cook with this cooker, be sure to check at first 20 minutes, otherwise, you risk wasting a good piece of meat. I have to send it back. what a disappointment.