We’ve read some complaints that slow cook settings on pressure cookers like Instant Pots can get dicey, but we didn’t notice any red flags in our tests. A slow cooker is still more affordable and easier to use, but if you have room for only one appliance, an electric pressure cooker is the way to go. We eliminated six models based on their poor cooking performance and lack of features. For the final three models, we cooked a classic pot roast with a 3-pound chuck roast and vegetables on the high setting for five hours. Again, we checked the meat’s internal temperature every hour. We sliced and tasted the roasts to see how tender they were (we had to, for science).
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.
Compared with other cookers we tested, the Set & Forget has some of the best extra features. Although the locks seem narrow next to the larger mechanisms on Crock-Pot’s machines, they still feel sturdy and are easy to open and close. Hamilton Beach and Crock-Pot are the only brands we tested that offer cookers with locking lids, and we don’t recommend getting a cooker without this feature. Some people may prefer the simple, no-frills program options on a slow cooker over those on a more complicated electric pressure cooker. Before you invest in a slow cooker, know that for not much more money, you can get other small appliances that can do more. Electric pressure cookers all come with a slow cooker setting but can also make rice or steam delicate fish and vegetables.
Prices and offers on may not apply to purchases made on See Terms of Use details. The lid can be put into the dishwasher, but check manual to see if rubber gasket needs to be removed first. Convenience indicates clarity of controls, ease of programming and cleaning (of both the exterior and the pot), and the inclusion of helpful features.
To bust through stubborn messes, soak the pot in a sink full of hot, soapy water before cleaning; the bloggers at Crock-Pot Ladies also suggest applying baking soda before you scrub. In our tests, the Temp Tracker’s probe came within 1 degree of our favorite probe thermometer in our bean tests, and readings fluctuated between hamilton beach mixer 1 and 9 degrees in our roast test. Because the temperature isn’t exactly consistent throughout a large piece of meat, some variation is expected. During cooking, the probe reading clearly displays on the Temp Tracker’s interface so you can check on your meal. When cooking, we took note of each model’s design and interface.
After dinner, they’re easy to clean, too, with nonstick inner pots you can put straight into the dishwasher. For all of its additional features, the Set & Forget was still one of the most affordable models we tested, and it beat out more expensive cookers in performance. A stovetop-safe pot allows you to brown meat before slow-cooking. Designed for maximum versatility and convenience, each Hamilton Beach® multi-cooker features a unique set of functions geared towards satisfying all types of home chefs. Prices and availability of products and services are subject to change without notice.
Later on, you’ll come home to a perfectly cooked meal that’s ready to serve. Note that all of the cookers we tested emitted a rubbery, burning-like smell when we first used them. The odor is typical of appliances with heating elements and comes from a coating applied to protect the elements from corrosion while the machine is shipped and stored. The handles on the Set & Forget’s crock are small, and they aren’t as easy to grab as the Temp Tracker’s (our also-great pick) because of their position at the long end of the oval crock.