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My go-to slow cooker: Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker Review

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My go-to slow cooker of choice is the Hamilton Beach Set & Forget Slow Cooker. This review will take you through all the features that I appreciate as a frequent user.

hamilton beach slow cooker filled with chicken.

Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker Review

Given that I have many popular slow cooker recipes and a very large Facebook group dedicated to slow cooker recipes, one of the questions I get asked most often is: “Which slow cooker should I get?”

My answer is always the Hamilton Beach Set & Forget 6 Quart Programmable Slow Cooker.

I have been recommending that model since my husband bought it for me in 2013 and it is still my top pick and the only slow cooker I recommend.

Normally, I over-research things, read too many expert reviews on Consumer Reports, get overwhelmed and don’t pick anything. In case that’s where you are, I’m going to run through my favorite features from someone who actually uses this 6-quart programmable slow cooker often.

I haven’t even bothered with newer models because I haven’t needed to. It is still going strong.

Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker Review

overhead shot of chicken, potatoes, and green beans in a hamilton beach slow cooker.

Favorite Hamilton Beach Set & Forget Features

Warm Setting

Because the slow cooker is programmable, you can set the desired cooking time in the morning and after that time is up, it automatically switches itself to WARM, ensuring your food stays at a safe temp and is ready for you when you get home to a warm, delicious meal. Perfect for busy days.

Perfect Size

I find that a 6 quart slow cooker is standard for most recipes and suits my family of four well. It can accomodate dips as well as large cuts of meat – up to a 6 pound whole chicken or a 4 pound roast.

Attractive Design

It looks pretty! The stainless steel outer is attractive on my counter and the ceramic insert makes for easy cleanup. It is dishwasher safe, which I take advantage of, but for especially stuck on food, I like Dawn Power Wash.

Ease of use

Whether you’re using the high setting, low setting, manual mode, or just warming food, this Hamilton Beach model is very easy to program and use. Nothing confusing even though it is a giant step up in features from a super basic model.

Temperature Probe

Included with this Set & Forget model is a thermometer probe to ensure that your meat hits the target temperature internally. No need for a separate meat thermometer.

Digital Interface

My first manual slow cooker only had a switch with high, low, and warm options. This particular model has an easy to use, intuitive interface. You can either set a desired cook time, use the temperature probe to reach a desired temperature, or just use the manual mode which is the equivalent to the simple options I was used to.

finger pressing the controls of a hamilton beach digital slow cooker.

Affordable

You can order the Set & Forget model directly from the Hamilton Beach website, Target, or from Amazon, where it often goes on sale. I find it to be a very reasonable price for a kitchen appliance with great features that gets a lot of use (way more use than my more expensive instant pot).

Safe Transport

Another feature I appreciate is, if I’m taking a dish to a family member or friend’s house, there is a locking lid that makes for easy transport. The rubber seal on the glass lid ensures you aren’t left with messy spills in the car.

Even Cooking

In my group, I hear a lot of complaints about Crock Pot and other models of slow cookers cooking too fast and drying out the food but with the Hamilton Beach, I find that it doesn’t boil the liquid, only simmers it, making for tender and moist foods.

pot roast in a bowl over potatoes in front of a slow cooker.

Is Hamilton Beach a good slow cooker?

In conclusion, YES, I highly recommend this 6-quart Hamilton Beach slow cooker. It is a great size with a modest price that yields great results when doing traditional slow cooking.

The digital controls are handy, it doesn’t take up too much space, is easy to use but has enough special features to make it feel modern.

Have you used it? I’d love to hear your opinion in the comments!

When I asked for opinions in my group, below are some of the comments I received:

“This is my absolute favorite model!”

Susan, The Lazy Slow Cooker

“Best crock pot out there.”

Denise, blog reader

“I have this cooker and I’ve WORKED it for the last 9 years and it’s STILL flawless.”

Kim, blog reader



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  1. Eliza says

    I’ve been looking for a crock pot that doesn’t boil the food. This model sounds like a winner. Thank you!

    • Melissa Williams says

      Yes, I think it’s a good one. I’m glad it was helpful!

  2. Ruby Thewes says

    At 6 qts, this is oversized for empty- nesters or anyone else w/o kids who do NOT want to eat the same meal night after night and do NOT want to buy a freezer to store mountains of leftovers.

    Please recommend a slow cooker for 2 people that makes 2-4 servings that has similar features such as a probe.

  3. James W. says

    I’m a guy and I use the basic model to cook dinners at least 5 days a week. Just add the ingredients (meat, veggies, etc.) and set it to low for 2, 4, 6, or 8 hours and walk away. For a non cook this is a dream come true.

  4. Drew says

    I had the same model for a few years, but unfortunately, I dropped it outside, and the top and insert shattered. Usually I would’ve looked for a newer more expensive model; however, I liked this slow cooker so much I went on line and got the same exact model. It’s a great choice.

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