Hamilton Beach 6-Quart Slow Cooker vs Crock-Pot 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
Buy the Hamilton Beach if you want a simple, cheap, dishwasher-safe slow cooker and don't need a timer. Buy the Crock-Pot Programmable if you cook while out and want it to switch to Keep Warm on its own. The Hamilton Beach is the lower-priced of the two; check current prices at each store before you order.
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Hamilton Beach 6-Quart Slow Cooker
Choose the Hamilton Beach 6-Quart if you want a basic dial slow cooker with a dishwasher-safe stoneware crock and glass lid at the lowest price.
Pros
- Low price for a 6-quart stoneware cooker
- Dishwasher-safe crock and lid
- Simple dial with no menus to learn
- Low 100 W draw
Cons
- No timer, so food can overcook if you are out
- No automatic Keep Warm after cooking
- Only red finish listed
What separates them
| Hamilton Beach 6-Quart Slow Cooker | Crock-Pot 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker | |
|---|---|---|
| Controls | Three-position dial (Low, High, Keep Warm) | Digital keypad with programmable cook time |
| Timer | None; you turn it off yourself | Countdown timer that switches to Keep Warm |
| Capacity | 6 quarts, oval stoneware crock | 6 quarts |
| Cleaning | Crock and glass lid are dishwasher safe | Removable stoneware and lid; check the manual for dishwasher guidance |
| Power draw | 100 W | Higher draw on High; not published in the listing |
| Footprint | About 14 in deep by 13.78 in wide and tall | Not published in the listing |
| Finish options | Metallic red with black lid | Stainless steel and matte black |
| Setup |
Price history
- Hamilton Beach 6-Quart Slow Cooker: lowest $25.00 on Nov 1 at eBay.
- Crock-Pot 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker: lowest $54.99 on Nov 1 at Target.
Prices at every store
Hamilton Beach 6-Quart Slow Cooker
- AmazonCheck price at Amazon
- eBayCheck price at eBay
- Hamilton BeachCheck price at Hamilton Beach
Crock-Pot 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
- Best BuyCheck price at Best Buy
- Lowe'sCheck price at Lowe's
- TargetCheck price at Target
Specs compared
| Spec | Hamilton Beach 6-Quart Slow Cooker | Crock-Pot 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker |
|---|---|---|
| Pot Material | Stoneware | — |
| Lid Material | Glass | — |
| Control Display | Temperature Display | — |
| Control Type | Dial | — |
| Depth | 14 in | — |
| Height | 13.78 in | — |
| Width | 13.78 in | — |
| Color | Red | — |
| Lid Type | Glass lid | — |
| Shape | Round | — |
| Care Instructions | Dishwasher safe (removable stoneware crock), Di… |
Questions and answers
- Which is better for cooking while I'm at work?
- The Crock-Pot Programmable. Set the cook time in the morning and it drops to Keep Warm when the timer ends. The Hamilton Beach has no timer, so you have to be home to turn it down.
- Is the Hamilton Beach worth the savings?
- Yes if you are usually home while it cooks or don't mind timing dishes yourself. You give up the timer and automatic Keep Warm, not capacity.
- Do both hold 6 quarts?
- Yes. Both are 6-quart cookers, enough for a whole chicken or a large batch of chili. The Hamilton Beach crock is oval.
- Which is easier to clean?
- The Hamilton Beach. Its stoneware crock and glass lid are both listed as dishwasher safe. With the Crock-Pot, follow the manual before putting the crock in the dishwasher.
- Which lasts longer?
- Both are simple electric cookers with few failure points. The Crock-Pot's keypad and timer electronics are the extra part that can fail; the Hamilton Beach dial has less to break.
- Which uses less power?
- The Hamilton Beach is rated at 100 W. Crock-Pot does not publish a figure for this model, but slow cookers of this size draw more on High.