[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Hamilton Beach Portable 6-Quart Digital Programmable Slow Cooker With Advanced Temp Tracker Probe, Stainless (33867)
Over past week, used advanced temp tracker slow cooker. A set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker that surpasses standard slow cookers and rivals more expensive ones.
Read the accompanying manual for suggested temperatures and times for foods to avoid over- or under-cooking.
PROs
On upper-left front stainless steel exterior are the words, "Hot Surface" to alert user that exterior becomes quite hot during cooking, due to interior heating elements.
6-QT capacity holds large poultry (up to 6 LBs) or roast (up to 4 LBs).
Tight-fitting lid has a slim rubber gasket that seals lid securely while cooking.
Tiny vents on lid's top allow steam to escape, as food cooks.
Three holes in lid to insert temp probe in meat for best location.
Lid lock features two clamps to hold lid in place for easy transport. Do not use clamps while cooking, however.
Easy carrying handle on lid.
Heavy and sturdy, glazed black ceramic interior pot is easy to clean and is dishwasher-safe.
Electrical cord, ~3 ft long, wraps and stores on bottom to eliminate safety hazard of a long, dangling cord. May likely be a "con" for those whose walls are not equipped with electrical outlets along countertop.
Digital display provides current internal temp and target temp when using manual probe.
Digital display is easy to operate.
Digital cook functions -- Low (slow simmer), Medium (warm enough for serving food hot), High (steady simmer) may be used with or without manual temperature probe.
Three Temp modes (Temp, Keep Warm, and Hold Temp).
Temp mode uses integrated manual temp probe to cook food at a selected temperature. Minimizes chances of overcooking and ensures food safety when cooking beef, pork or poultry.
Automatically switches cooker to "keep warm" setting up to 24 hours once cooking temp is reached, but 8 hours is typical to avoid drying out food as well as food safety.
Used Hold Temp function to make homemade yogurt, fondue, cultured buttermilk, and even to bulk-proof bread dough.
Poached eggs and delicate sauces are also great on Hold Temp.
Hold Temp doubles as a sous vide function, which is fantastic and manual provides guidelines on correct water temp/time for different foods.
Love how it braises meats.
CONs
Digital display readout is a bit difficult to read in ambient light.
Display panel is plastic on front of unit. Unsure how long it may hold up, since unit's exterior becomes quite hot.
Temp probe is not long, so works well with large cuts of meat.