H.BEACH 5qt. SLOW COOKER OVAL REMOVABLE LID LATCH

H.BEACH 5qt. SLOW COOKER OVAL REMOVABLE LID LATCH Review

When I wanted to upgrade to a large size slow cooker the Hamilton Beach was my first choice, largely owing to its reasonably inexpensive price and the simplicity of operation. Some of the selling points were the lid with a good gasket seal and the removable strap which can be used for transportation and storage. The five quart capacity is a nice balance between some of the larger and smaller slow cookers as well, especially since my largest complaint with my previous one was its small capacity.

After five years I’ve yet to have any complaints about its durability or service. One of the selling points for me was the simple settings (Off, Keep Warm, Low, and High) versus those of more advanced slow cookers. Granted, you want to learn carefully what each setting is capable of before you leave your slow cooker unattended, lest something unexpected happen. As I’ve learned, the High setting on this cooker really is high, the Keep Warm does just that, and Low is not to be used unless you’re hanging around and keeping an eye on it! The ceramic insert is removable and makes for an easy cleanup and good overall durability. The metal unit, despite its flimsy appearance, holds up pretty good and does a more than adequate job, heating up quickly and generally doing what it should..

There are some obvious limitations to this slow cooker. There is no programmable timer, so if you’re leaving home you’re best to set it to Keep Warm and let it do its thing. It would be nice to have an automatic shutoff just in case things go awry, but at this price point that’s probably asking too much. If you’re looking for a good slow cooker at a reasonable price point this is a very good one to start with!