Hamilton Beach 33861 Portable Programmable Slow Cooker, Dishwasher Safe Crock, 6 Qt, FlexCook Dual Digital Timer/2 Heat Settings, Lid Lock for Easy Travel, Silver

I got this for my wife for Christmas and she used it right away for dinner cooking her favorite green beans, bacon, and ham recipe. Even though she didn’t have time to peruse the user manual, she got it up and running right away with no fuss. She likes the flex cooking method that lets you start off fast, then reduce to a low temperature for the remainder of the cooking period. Then, when cooling time is up, how it shifts automatically to warming mode. We done small roasts, hams, and combo dishes that turned out very well with lots of blended flavors. I like the fact that it has clips that lock the lid in place and that the rubber seal around the edge makes it easy to pull the lid off instead of fighting the vacuum seal that our older slow cooker created when cooking was done. Good quality unit.

I purchased this for a friend who travels a LOT and really wanted to step in to try some crock potting. This is a good size, at 6 qt - but the best part is being able to program it. but also that the crock is fully removable and therefore can get into the dishwasher. He made chili using dried beans and according to him - cooked perfectly. He was thrilled to come back to his apt/hotel room (with kitchen) and have dinner waiting. Crock potting may not be the lastest thing with airfryers and or pressure cookers - but it's reliable and easy to learn. I would recommend this particular pot. Hopefully it lasts, time will tell. Having said all of this, I never hesitate to update my reviews should new info seem useful. All of my reviews reflect my honest, personal experience with the reviewed item - your experience may be different. I am not influenced by any outside source. I receive/accept NO free products or discounts that are not available to all shoppers- ever. As a top 30 reviewer, I've been doing reviews for over 25 years with Amazon - over 6,200 reviews posted, those reviews have been viewed well over 50,000 times, including well over 28,000 likes. BOTTOM LINE: I pay for all my stuff, just like you do - with hard earned dollars.

I bought this 6 years ago and have used it several times a month on average ever since. I absolutely love this slow cooker - it's easy to use, has just the right amount of buttons and features, and is super easy to clean. Pro tip - if you aren't already using slow cooker liners (Reynolds, etc.) buy them *immediately* and see the immediate return on investment via your life happiness... We use a liner every time now and thus only need to gently wipe out the slow cooker with a damp paper towel after it cools down. Cleaning: one and done. Before I discovered the game changer magic of slow cooker liners though, I did put this in the dishwasher in the past and it held up great. I love the simplicity of use as well. I most often use the program feature to set the time and then I can forget about it until I'm ready for it. It just switches to warm when it's done cooking and I've never overcooked anything. All in all this little beauty has been an 11/10 on the value of the investment. When it's inevitably time to retire her someday, I will definitely be buying the same one again.

Have not had this slow cooker long, but my sister has one and has used it regularly for a few years. I've used mine several times, and I'm impressed with the results. Using two of the basic cooking methods of the three flexible methods available, I've made three very succulent beef dishes and learned useful techniques applicable for future use. Made in China, the quality appears to be good. It's early days with this cooker, so may update this review in the future when I'd have more insights. Does not include a basic cookbook to use with this machine - I think it would have been a useful addition.

Best slow cooker Ive ever had.m The lid locks make it so easy to take it to a gathering, it looks sassy and fresh on the counter and it works just as described. the programmable feature is really wonderful and we utilize it.

Works great does it all?

This works great. The locking lid is a nice feature. It did take me a bit to figure out all the settings (the instructions are a bit off) but I usually use the manual setting anyway. With the locking lid mechanism, the overall foot print is larger than other slow cookers I have had in the past, so you might want to keep that in mind if you have limited counter space. Had a slow cooker for over 10 years that stood up to a lot of use before the ceramic insert cracked one day. The replacement I got for that one only lasted about 6 months before the ceramic pots finish came off. I am hopeful that this one will last - as we use our slow cooker at least once a week. Everything fits well, and seems to be of good quality. I have not been able to find a carry case that fits with these handles yet, but that is a minor issue. Overall, I do recommend this cooker - especially if you are interested in the programable options.

This crockpot is a game changer! Now I can set it before I got to work and control how long something cooks on high and how long it cooks on low or stays warm. I’m not worried anymore about the food being overcooked for being on a high setting for too long. Making meal prepping for the week easier and I know I can follow the recipes now that called for a shorter cooking time. The ceramic insert is very durable and easy to clean but the metal base is a little...delicate and I can feel when I pick it up or move it have a little give which makes me feel like it’s going to dent or collapse but it hasn’t yet. I repeat, after over 10+ uses over the last few months there is no dent on the metal base. But I just wanted to mention that it feels fragile. Overall great crockpot and one I will definitely be using for a few years.

This is my first slow cooker, and I am so very glad that I seem to have chosen a good product. It cooks exactly as I'd expect. It's is super easy to use. The programmable flex cook for two timed heat settings is super convenient and allows a lot of flexibility. The crock feels strong and solid (and heavy!). I've used it for stews, and fish and chicken dishes. I don't think I could be happier with this purchase. I have no idea how I lived so long without the convenience of a slow cooker! I suppose if I had to say something negative about it, the only thing I could think of is that the display doesn't light up until after it is set and started, which seems counter-intuitive, and does make it slightly difficult to see while setting/programming, especially in a poorly lit kitchen like mine. But that's a very minor annoyance, and not sufficient to affect my rating. Definitely recommend this item.

Happy so far

It’s great size and works perfectly my mother loved this for Mother’s Day

I have gone through a few slow cookers in the past few years since I cook with them so often. I’ve used all different kinds like one with wifi and probes to the very basic three setting analog dial. I bought this one because it’s the best reviewed slow cooker on amazon and it seems to be great value for the money. I’m really pleased with this slow cooker so far. Every dish I have cooked turns out beautifully, the heat is constant and even, the interface is really user friendly. The flex cook feature is great, it allows me to set an initial temperature and time and then it automatically will set to another temperature and time. There’s also a simple manual mode and a mode that switches to warm when cook time is complete. The LCD screen is backlit, which I really like. It’s easy to see and the backlight indicates which mode of flex cook the slow cooker is on. The controls are easy to use and understand. The insert and lid are great quality. There are no cracks or imperfections on the insert. They can both go inside the dishwasher. My only gripe is that the outer body of the slow cooker seems quite flimsy. It’s very light and if you press on it, it flexes. The lid clamps are great! I love using them while cooking, they really seal the heat in. They also help to make the slow cooker ultra portable. Overall, I highly recommend this slow cooker. It’s budget friendly and performs beyond my initial expectations.

I am a big slow cooker user....LOL.. I own 3 other sized cookers. This is my main one for most things because of it gives me the ability to program 2 Different cooking timers ie: high for 2 hrs. & low for remaing time. I Love having this option. My other overworked 10yr. Old now broken Hamilton Beach digital slow cooker didn't have this option. I bought this new model because of my old one which was used almost weekly for over 10 yrs. I personally don't think you will regret purchasing this slow cooker.