Slow Cookers: Reviews

Updated November 2011

For busy families, a slow cooker can be a real time-saver, allowing you to make soups and stews, beans and meats, breads and desserts -- all with a minimum of preparation. What's more, they don't use a lot of electricity and don't give off heat like an oven can, making them particularly good in the summertime. Whether you're single or have a large family, ConsumerSearch recommends a slow cooker for you.

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Best programmable slow cooker

Hamilton Beach Set'N Forget 33967

*Est. $50 Compare Prices

The top-rated Hamilton Beach Set'N Forget 33967 programmable slow cooker lets you designate cooking times, unlike basic slow cookers that must be switched on and off manually. It can also switch automatically to a… expandkeep-warm setting when cooking is done, so you don't have to worry about overcooked meals. This model includes a built-in temperature probe, a special feature that lets you cook meat to the ideal internal temperature. The 6-quart Set'N Forget is less expensive than most programmable models, and it generally does well in both professional tests and user reviews. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: Editors of ConsumerReports.org evaluate and rank 15 slow cookers, including the Hamilton Beach Set'N Forget 33967, all with 6- to 7-quart capacities.

Good Housekeeping: Experts at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute test 13 slow cookers by preparing beef stew in each one, as well as checking its heating time, features and the quality of the manufacturer's customer service.

Amazon.com: In about 560 user reviews at Amazon.com, the Hamilton Beach Set'N Forget 33967 earns an average rating of 4.3 stars out of 5.

Viewpoints.com: More than 100 owner-written reviews at Viewpoints.com give the Hamilton Beach Set'N Forget 33967 an average of 4.62 stars out of 5, and 98 percent of reviewers say they'd recommend it.

About.com: Linda Larsen, About.com's guide to busy cooks, places the Hamilton Beach Set'N Forget 33967 at the top of her list of the five best slow cookers because of its temperature probe and large capacity.

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for $50.22

Slow cooker with stovetop insert

West Bend 84915 5-Quart Oblong Slow Cooker

*Est. $55 Compare Prices

The West Bend 84915 isn't programmable -- so you can't set it to start cooking at a particular time -- but it does do a couple of neat tricks. Because its insert can be used on the stovetop, you can brown meats and onions… expandbefore slow-cooking. Plus, its base unit can double as a small electric griddle, which is handy for cooking extra bacon or pancakes for breakfast. This 5-quart oblong slow cooker also comes with an insulated travel tote with handles. The nonstick crock insert is freezer-, dishwasher-, stovetop- and oven-safe. There's no light indicator to determine whether the unit's on or off, however, and a few owners say the 84915 takes several minutes to heat up to the highest setting. It's important to follow temperature guides provided in the manual to avoid overcooking foods. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Amazon.com: About 125 owners contribute to this slow cooker's high average rating of 4.6 stars out of 5.

Target.com: The West Bend 84915 5-Quart Oblong Slow Cooker is one of the top-rated slow cookers on this site, maintaining a 4.5-star average overall rating (out of 5) in nearly 50 owner-written reviews.

Viewpoints.com: Only about 15 owners have reviewed the West Bend 84915 5-Quart Oblong Slow Cooker here, although it maintains a high average rating of 4.4 stars out of 5.

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Buy from Amazon for $52.39
eBay for $61.95	Target for $57.59	Beach Camera.com for $53.49

Multi-size slow cooker

Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 33135

*Est. $65 Compare Prices

Singles and small families will appreciate the versatility of the Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 33135, which comes with three interchangeable stoneware crocks in 2-, 4- and 6-quart sizes. Experts say this model serves up tasty,… expandtender meals and allows you to cater to crowds of all sizes. Users warn that the bowls are heavy but say they stack neatly, which is convenient for those with limited storage space. However, the 3-in-1 slow cooker doesn't have programmable features such as a timer and automatic warmer. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: Editors of ConsumerReports.org evaluate and rank 15 slow cookers, including the Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 33133, all with a 6- to 7-quart capacity.

Good Housekeeping: Out of 13 slow cookers tested by experts at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, the Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 33134 is one of seven they recommend.

About.com: Jessica Harlan, About.com's guide to cooking equipment, gives the Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 33133 a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5.

Amazon.com: In nearly 125 reviews at Amazon.com, the Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 33134 earns an average of 4.3 stars out of 5.

About.com: Linda Larsen, About.com's guide to busy cooks, names the Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 33135 as one of the five best slow cookers, saying she loves the interchangeable crocks.

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Buy from Amazon for $57.99
eBay for $97.99	Amazon for $57.94	Staples for $68.99

Basic slow cooker

Rival Crock-Pot 3735-WN

*Est. $30 Compare Prices

The Rival Crock-Pot 3735-WN is nothing fancy; rather, it's a basic, mid-sized slow cooker with a nonstick stoneware insert. The oval shape is ideal for cooking cuts of meat, and users say the classic 3.5-quart size is… expandadequate for families of three to four. Reviews advise following temperature settings recommended in the manual to avoid overcooking, as this unit tends to cook hotter than other slow cookers. Overall, owner-reviewers say the Rival Crock-Pot 3735-WN is a good buy for those looking for a simple slow cooker without advanced features. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Amazon.com: More than 60 owners rate the Rival Crock-Pot 3735-WN, contributing to an overall average rating of 4.1 stars out of 5.

Viewpoints.com: The Rival Crock-Pot 3735-WN maintains an average rating of 4.19 stars out of 5 in just more than 30 owner-written reviews here.

Woman's Day: Stephanie Lee picks eight slow cookers, each with a specific benefit such as kid-friendliness, table-ready or size.

About.com: About.com's guide to busy cooks lists the top five slow cookers.

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Amazon

for $23.99

KitchenAid KSC700SS *Est. $130

4 picks including: About.com, Amazon.com…

All-Clad 99009 *Est. $180

4 picks including: About.com, Amazon.com…

Cuisinart PSC-650 *Est. $95

4 picks by top review sites.

Breville BSC560XL *Est. $150

2 picks by top review sites.


	All-Clad 99009 Stainless-Steel 6-1/2-Quart Slow Cooker In Stock. Average Customer Review: