Compare Slow Cookers: Cuisinart, Hamilton Beach or Crock-Pot?
 Photo Credits: Hamilton Beach
With the race against the clock that most people live daily, it is not at all surprising that the slow cooker is gaining popularity. Everyone wins when it comes to saving time. Imagine just stirring together the required cooking ingredients, attending to other chores while the slow cooker does its job, and spooning out a perfect meal at the end of a number of prescribed hours.
This is possible because the slow cooker allows you to prepare dishes safely even in your absence. In addition, because the food is simmered for several hours, the taste of both meats and vegetables ends up being considerably enhanced when compared to other cooking methods. You will find below the main points to consider before deciding which slow cooker to buy, and a comparison of the most popular slow cookers that satisfy these points.
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To help you decide which slow cooker to buy, we will compare the Hamilton Beach 33969, Cuisinart PSC-650 and Crock Pot SCVT650-PS slow cookers which provide all the above mentioned features, and which are at the same time among the most popular among Amazon buyers.
If you're in a hurry and wish to see Amazon product and price information for the selected slow cookers, please click the following link:
Selected Slow Cookers on Amazon
Comparing the Selected Three Slow Cookers
Hamilton Beach 33969, Cuisinart PSC-650 and Crock-Pot SCVT650-PS
The three slow cookers are shown below:
HAMILTON BEACH (Photo: Hamilton Beach)
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CUISINART PSC-650 (Photo: Cuisinart)
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CROCK-POT SCVT650-PS (Photo: Crock-Pot)
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The following table compares the three slow cookers:
Tables Notes 1-3 Explained:
Note 1:
Hamilton Beach 33969 has 3 cooking modes which are: Program, Manual, and Probe (see below for more details).
Cuisinart PSC-650 has 3 automatic-cooking options which are: Simmer, Low, and High.
Crock-Pot SCVT650-PS has 3 automatic-cooking options which are: Low, High, and Warm.
Note 2:
All three slow cookers allow programmed cooking, for details please see the detailed description section below for each cooker.
Note 3:
The probe cooking found on the Hamilton Beach slow cooker should be used when cooking a large cut of meat or using a recipe that requires food to reach a certain temperature. The included thermometer probe is inserted into the meat, and it monitors the cooking process until the meat reaches the desired temperature. It then switches the slow cooker automatically to a low setting to keep the meat warm until you are ready to eat.
You will find below detailed descriptions for each of the three slow cookers.
Note 1:
Hamilton Beach 33969 has 3 cooking modes which are: Program, Manual, and Probe (see below for more details).
Cuisinart PSC-650 has 3 automatic-cooking options which are: Simmer, Low, and High.
Crock-Pot SCVT650-PS has 3 automatic-cooking options which are: Low, High, and Warm.
Note 2:
All three slow cookers allow programmed cooking, for details please see the detailed description section below for each cooker.
Note 3:
The probe cooking found on the Hamilton Beach slow cooker should be used when cooking a large cut of meat or using a recipe that requires food to reach a certain temperature. The included thermometer probe is inserted into the meat, and it monitors the cooking process until the meat reaches the desired temperature. It then switches the slow cooker automatically to a low setting to keep the meat warm until you are ready to eat.
You will find below detailed descriptions for each of the three slow cookers.
Hamilton Beach 33969 Set'n Forget 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
Hamilton Beach 33969 (Photo: Hamilton Beach)
This slow cooker measures 16x10.4x16.1 inches, weighs 14.6 pounds, and it comes with a 6 quart removable oval-shaped stoneware pot as well as an LED digital control panel. The panel offers three cooking mode options (program, manual, or probe) and the very convenient automatic keep-warm feature that the unit automatically shifts over to once the cooking time has ended.
The manual mode allows for cooking the traditional way without setting the time or for heating up previously cooked food. The probe mode should be used when cooking a large cut of meat or using a recipe that requires food to reach a certain temperature. The included thermometer probe is inserted into the meat, and it monitors the cooking process until the meat reaches the desired temperature. It then switches the slow cooker automatically to a low setting to keep the meat warm until you are ready to eat. This very useful feature takes the guesswork out of slow cooking.
This slow cooker also provides attractive stainless-steel housing, power-interrupt protection, a clip-on spoon, a clip-tight gasket lid, and full-grip handles for safe transport. The removable stoneware and tempered-glass lid can be cleaned up easily by hand or in the dishwasher, and a user manual with recipes is also included. The unit comes with a one-year limited warranty.
As can be seen, this unit not only satisfies all the requirements for a good slow cooker listed in the previous section, but it also offers the manual and probe modes of cooking that can be very useful.
For an illustration of this slow cooker, please watch the official Hamilton Beach 33969 Video:
The manual mode allows for cooking the traditional way without setting the time or for heating up previously cooked food. The probe mode should be used when cooking a large cut of meat or using a recipe that requires food to reach a certain temperature. The included thermometer probe is inserted into the meat, and it monitors the cooking process until the meat reaches the desired temperature. It then switches the slow cooker automatically to a low setting to keep the meat warm until you are ready to eat. This very useful feature takes the guesswork out of slow cooking.
This slow cooker also provides attractive stainless-steel housing, power-interrupt protection, a clip-on spoon, a clip-tight gasket lid, and full-grip handles for safe transport. The removable stoneware and tempered-glass lid can be cleaned up easily by hand or in the dishwasher, and a user manual with recipes is also included. The unit comes with a one-year limited warranty.
As can be seen, this unit not only satisfies all the requirements for a good slow cooker listed in the previous section, but it also offers the manual and probe modes of cooking that can be very useful.
For an illustration of this slow cooker, please watch the official Hamilton Beach 33969 Video:
Cuisinart PSC-650 Programmable 6.5-Quart Slow Cooker
Cuisinart PSC-650 (Photo: Cuisinart)
This slow cooker measures 18.8x15.7x10.9 inches, weighs 20.3 pounds, and it comes with a 6.5 quart removable oval-shaped ceramic cooking pot. It is equipped with three modes (simmer, low, and high). It is 24-hour programmable and has a digital countdown timer with touch-pad controls, and it has the automatic keep-warm feature that the unit automatically shifts over to once the cooking time has ended. It has a brushed stainless-steel housing, a glass lid with stainless-steel rim, and cool-touch chrome-plated handles.
Other features include nonslip rubber feet, retractable cord storage, wrap-around heating elements for thorough heat distribution, and dishwasher-safe parts (lid and ceramic pot). Accessories include a cooking rack for use with ramekins or other bake-ware, a recipe book with 70 easy to do basic to gourmet dishes, and an instruction book. It comes with a 3-Year limited warranty.
As can be seen, when you compare slow cookers, this unit satisfies all the requirements for a good slow cooker listed in the "Features to Look for" section above. It also comes in the smaller 4 quarts size.
For an illustration of this slow cooker, please watch the official Cuisinart PSC-650 Video:
Other features include nonslip rubber feet, retractable cord storage, wrap-around heating elements for thorough heat distribution, and dishwasher-safe parts (lid and ceramic pot). Accessories include a cooking rack for use with ramekins or other bake-ware, a recipe book with 70 easy to do basic to gourmet dishes, and an instruction book. It comes with a 3-Year limited warranty.
As can be seen, when you compare slow cookers, this unit satisfies all the requirements for a good slow cooker listed in the "Features to Look for" section above. It also comes in the smaller 4 quarts size.
For an illustration of this slow cooker, please watch the official Cuisinart PSC-650 Video:
Crock-Pot SCVT-650-PS 6.5-Quart Programmable Touch-Screen Slow Cooker
Crock-Pot SCVT-650-PS (Photo Crock-Pot)
This slow cooker measures 16.5x8.6x12.2 inches and weighs 14.6 pounds. It comes with a 6.5 quart removable oval-shaped stoneware pot and a touchscreen LED digital control panel that allows programmable cooking.
Fingertip touch controls include Low, High, and Warm cook settings, as well as Time Up or Time Down options for setting the cooking time from 30 minutes to up to 20 hours. The digital timer counts down the remaining cooking time, and the unit automatically shifts over to a keep-warm mode at the end of the cooking time. The digital timer also keeps track of time spent in keep-warm mode, counting up in one-minute increments for up to six hours.
The attractively designed removable stoneware crock can be used as a serving dish. Other features include a polished stainless-steel exterior, metal side handles with stay-cool wraps, and a large round lid handle.
Fingertip touch controls include Low, High, and Warm cook settings, as well as Time Up or Time Down options for setting the cooking time from 30 minutes to up to 20 hours. The digital timer counts down the remaining cooking time, and the unit automatically shifts over to a keep-warm mode at the end of the cooking time. The digital timer also keeps track of time spent in keep-warm mode, counting up in one-minute increments for up to six hours.
The attractively designed removable stoneware crock can be used as a serving dish. Other features include a polished stainless-steel exterior, metal side handles with stay-cool wraps, and a large round lid handle.
Crock-Pot SCVT-650-PS Control Panel (Photo Crock-Pot)
The stoneware and glass lid are dishwasher-safe, making clean up a breeze. The slow cooker comes with a cookbook and a one-year limited warranty.
As can be seen, when you compare slow cookers, this unit also satisfies all the requirements for a good slow cooker listed in the "Features to Look for" section above.
As can be seen, when you compare slow cookers, this unit also satisfies all the requirements for a good slow cooker listed in the "Features to Look for" section above.
So which Slow-Cooker to buy?
When you compare slow cookers, you find that all three brands described above are great products, and Amazon customer reviews are mostly full of praise for all three. However, given that the Hamilton Beach is quite a bit lower priced than the other two brands, we recommend it strongly, and in particular for the probe mode not offered by the other two brands.
With the Hamilton Beach slow cooker you will find it very useful to simply insert the thermometer probe into the meat to have it monitor the cooking process until the meat reaches the desired temperature. It will then switch the slow cooker to a low setting to keep the meat warm until you are ready to eat. There's absolutely no guessing how long it will take to cook.
Another great feature of this slow cooker is the clip-tight gasket lid. It's perfect for traveling to pot-luck dinners without to have to worry about spills.
Hamilton Beach, Cuisinart and Crock-Pot Slow Cookers on Amazon:
Please click the Amazon US link image below for the slow cooker of your choice to see exact price information or to purchase.
Please Note: For non-US customers, when you click the links below, you will be provided with the Amazon links for your country (such as Canada or UK), if the product is available in your country.
Please Note: For non-US customers, when you click the links below, you will be provided with the Amazon links for your country (such as Canada or UK), if the product is available in your country.
Essentials of Slow Cooking
The complete slow cooking book.
This information-packed volume opens with a brief history of this centuries-old technique and a look at the many ways slow cooking and braising transforms the texture of food as well as enhances the natural flavors. Comprehensive descriptions cover the types of slow cooking and explain every stage of the process, from preparing the food in order to achieve the best results to properly testing the food for optimum doneness, providing readers with all the knowledge they need to turn out delicious and memorable meals. Slow cookers, Dutch ovens, roasting pans, and other important equipment are clearly described and pictured.
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