Author: Maurice Savaryego, M.Sc.Eng. (Learn More)
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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 SCV800 slow cookers which provide some or all the above mentioned features, and which are at the same time among the most popular among Amazon customers who have bought them and tested them.
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 SCV800-S
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 SCV800 (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 SCV800 has 3 automatic-cooking options which are: Low, High, and Warm.
Note 2:
The Hamilton Beach and Cuisinart slow cookers allow programmed cooking, for details please see the detailed description section below for each cooker.
The Crock-Pot slow cooker considered here is not programmable and is manual. For a programmable Crock-Pot slow cooker please see the Amazon Products section below.
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 SCV800 has 3 automatic-cooking options which are: Low, High, and Warm.
Note 2:
The Hamilton Beach and Cuisinart slow cookers allow programmed cooking, for details please see the detailed description section below for each cooker.
The Crock-Pot slow cooker considered here is not programmable and is manual. For a programmable Crock-Pot slow cooker please see the Amazon Products section below.
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 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 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.
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.
Crock-Pot SCV800 8-Quart Slow Cooker
Crock-Pot SCV800 (Photo Crock-Pot)
If you are looking for a larger slow cooker, you should consider the Crock-Pot SCV-800.
It comes with a 8 quart removable oval-shaped stoneware pot. The 8-quart extra-large capacity is perfect for larger families or entertaining! It's a healthy, cost-efficient, and convenient way to serve tasty, satisfying meals.
It cooks on High or Low settings and the Warm setting can be used to keep your dish at an ideal serving temperature. It also offers the following features:
- Removable oval stoneware insert. The stoneware is oven safe (not broiler) up to 400 degree Fahrenheit (note that the lid cannot go into the oven).
- Dishwasher-safe stoneware and glass lid.
- Polished brushed stainless steel exterior with black accents and plastic handles.
Slow cooking in your Crockpot 8-Quart slow cooker provides you the flexibility to prepare a meal early and then have it cook all day. You can carry out your full day's activities and still enjoy a nutritious, home-cooked meal in the evening.
It comes with a 8 quart removable oval-shaped stoneware pot. The 8-quart extra-large capacity is perfect for larger families or entertaining! It's a healthy, cost-efficient, and convenient way to serve tasty, satisfying meals.
It cooks on High or Low settings and the Warm setting can be used to keep your dish at an ideal serving temperature. It also offers the following features:
- Removable oval stoneware insert. The stoneware is oven safe (not broiler) up to 400 degree Fahrenheit (note that the lid cannot go into the oven).
- Dishwasher-safe stoneware and glass lid.
- Polished brushed stainless steel exterior with black accents and plastic handles.
Slow cooking in your Crockpot 8-Quart slow cooker provides you the flexibility to prepare a meal early and then have it cook all day. You can carry out your full day's activities and still enjoy a nutritious, home-cooked meal in the evening.
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 reasonably priced, 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.
Hamilton Beach 6-Quart |
Cuisinart PSC-650 6.5 Quart |
Crock-Pot SCV800 8-Quart Slow Cooker
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Please Note: The Crock-Pot slow cooker shown above is not programmable (as it was shown in the above comparison table). For a Crock-Pot slow cooker that is programmable please consider the following 7-Quart Crock-Pot slow cooker:
Crock-Pot 7 Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
with Digital Countdown Timer
Essentials of Slow Cooking
The complete slow cooking book.
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.
