The Hamilton Beach Set & Forget 6 Quart Programmable Slow Cooker has been our top pick since 2013. A common complaint among owners of slow cookers is that they cook foods too hot, but in our tests the Set & Forget successfully simmered beans on a low setting without boiling them and turning them to mush. And even on a high setting, it was able to cook at moderate enough temperatures to produce a fall-apart tender roast. Its intuitive interface, probe thermometer, locking lid, and modest price make it the best cooker of the models we tested.
Flexible time and temperature options ensure perfect results every time. Don’t lock the lids of slow cookers when cooking, which can cause the glass to break. Ceramic can crack in sudden temperature changes, so don’t fill your crock with cold water while it’s still hot. Crocks made out of stoneware (like those of both of our picks) and their lids can tolerate the dishwasher. Otherwise, clean them in hot, soapy water, using a cloth or sponge rather than abrasive scouring pads.
No matter what your cooking needs are, there’s a Hamilton Beach® Programmable Slow Cooker that’s ready for any cooking need or party invitation that comes your way. Hamilton Beach® 6 Quart Slow Cookers make dinnertime almost effortless. You can cook hot, mouth-watering meals as you go about your day, with no stirring needed.
The Temp Tracker also has a ceramic crock, just like our top pick. This model offers a dial to select heat settings, temperatures, and program times, plus buttons to cancel a cycle and to select either the keep-warm or hold-temp option. The backlit digital panel brightens when you’re programming the machine, and it displays remaining cooking times and temperatures throughout the cooking cycle. The keep-warm and hold-temp buttons light up accordingly when the machine kicks over to either setting. Like our pick, the Temp Tracker comes with a one-year warranty. Since owner reviews often claim that slow cookers either cook too hot on low settings or don’t heat up fast enough, we tested how well the cookers could reach and maintain temperatures.
If you ever need to take your large slow cooker on the road, consider one that has a Lid Latch™ strap or clip-tight lid. With these convenient travel features, you’ll always be ready to take homemade food along to potlucks, family parties, and holiday gatherings. These small slow cookers will slowly tenderize meat and blend complex layers of flavor. For easy cleanup after the meal, simply put the removable stoneware and glass lid in the dishwasher. The 40.5-Quart SC-140BL Scallop Pattern Slow Cooker from Brentwood Appliances creates delicious meals while you tackle your busy day. Simply place your ingredients in to the cooker and come back later to a hot meal.
We like the Crock-Pot 6-Quart Programmable Cook & Carry Slow Cooker just fine—it’s a basic cooker with a locking lid and a ceramic insert. But for just a bit more money, you can get a temperature probe with our pick from Hamilton Beach. All of the Crock-Pot models we tested also cooked hot on the low settings, finishing foods before their programmed end time. Aside from our top pick, all the slow cookers performed poorly in our bean-making test, and the Temp Tracker overcooked our beans.
Errors will be corrected where discovered, and Lowe’s reserves the right to revoke any stated offer and to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions including after an order has been submitted. For a smaller, manual model, hamilton beach toaster we like the Crock-Pot 4-Quart Manual Slow Cooker. It’s small, with no extra features, but it’s inexpensive and well-reviewed. The KitchenAid 6-Quart Slow Cooker with Easy Serve Glass Lid didn’t get hot enough to cook beans.
The removable tempered glass lid and lead-free, FDA-approved inner pot of this slow cooker are dishwasher safe. The premium blue scallop pattern exterior looks great on any countertop. The 40.5-Quart SC-140W Scallop Pattern Slow Cooker from Brentwood Appliances creates delicious meals while you tackle your busy day.
Skip the dinnertime drive-through by adding healthy ingredients to your crock pot in the morning. There are great cookbooks designed for delish crockpot meal ideas. Hamilton Beach® 6 Quart Slow Cookers work well for family dinners, parties or other large gatherings. The portable design includes easy-grip handles and some models have a Lid Latch™ strap for meals on the go. Also, the removable stoneware is dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.