When it comes to picking a product, working out which specific model to buy often ends up being really confusing. In many cases, you’re faced with multiple ranges, along with different models that can seem pretty similar to one another.
Hamilton Beach is a good example of this, as the brand has no shortage of models, including some that fit into specific ranges and other more general slow cookers. In this post, we’re focusing on one set of products, which is the Set n’ Forget slow cookers.
This range is an interesting one, as the products aim to make slow cooking as simple as possible. In particular, they are all digital slow cookers and also come with a temperature probe. The design means that you can program the slow cooker based on time or temperature and it will switch over to keep warm mode once the cooking is done.
These options give you much more control over the food that you’re cooking and take much of the guesswork out of slow cooking. That control also allows you to create better meals overall.
However, the one thing to note is that the keep warm mode has a temperature of roughly 180 degrees. This may be higher than what some people are looking for, especially if you’re timing your cooking based on internal temperature. In some cases, this may even mean your food's temperature increases after the switch to keep warm mode. For most people though, the temperature probably won’t be an issue and the Set ‘n Forget range does have many fans.
If you are interested in getting one of these models, then be sure to read the full review of Hamilton Beach Set ‘n Forget model 33967. As of now, I'm not going to spend the money to buy and test all sizes and model numbers in this category – they are all similar enough that if you like one, you'll like the others! So the review of that particular model should suffice in comparing to other brands and Hamilton Beach lines of cookers.
5 Quart Models
33956 Set ‘n Forget White Slow Cooker
- Model Number: 33956
- Price: NA [October 30, 2016 4:15 PM]
- Size: 5 quarts
Visually, this slow cooker looks different than every other option in the Set ‘n Forget range. Nevertheless, the various features are still the same as what I discussed above, including the ability to program based on cooking time and temperature.
There is also a locking system in place for the lid. This allows you to transport the slow cooker while it is full without hassle and reduces the risk of spills. Doing so is especially important if you plan to take a slow cooked meal to a potluck dinner or something like that.
33958A Programmable 5-Quart Slow Cooker
- Model Number: 33958A
- Price: NA [October 30, 2016 3:58 PM]
- Size: 5 quarts
This style is a more common option in the Set ‘n Forget range and in many ways, it looks nice. The features here are the same as you would expect and, like other models in the range, the probe can also be used to look at the temperature of your ingredients, so you can use it to test food as you go.
Nevertheless, there is one key difference between this model and the previous one, which is the handles. With this model, the handles don’t appear to be as prominent and there is no indication of a locking mechanism for the lid either. As such, this one would be harder to transport.
6 Quart Models
33966 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
- Model Number: 33966
- Size: 6 quarts
This model is basically just one quart larger than the previous one, aside from the difference in handles. Personally, I prefer this handle style and it seems like these handles would be easier to use. At this middle of the road price, this model is fairly reasonable for the various features that it offers. Additionally, it gets an average of 4.4 stars on Amazon, which is a great rating.
33967A Set ‘n Forget Programmable Slow Cooker
- Model Number: 33967
- Price: NA [November 1, 2016 2:39 PM]
- Size: 6 quarts
Hands down, this model is the most popular Set ‘n Forget slow cooker on Amazon, although it wasn’t in stock at the time of writing this review. In fact, there are more than 2,200 reviews for this model and the average rating is an impressive 4.3 stars.
When it comes to function, this model is pretty much the same as all the others on the list and even the front panel is almost identical to many of the other models. In many ways, the key difference seems to just be the lid, which has a different handle and connected spoon. There is also clips to hold the lid in place and help you to avoid any spills.
==> Full Review of 33967 Set ‘n Forget Programmable Slow Cooker
33969A Set ‘n Forget Programmable Slow Cooker
- Model Number: 33969
- Size: 6 quarts
This model has a similar visual style to many of the earlier ones and also has the clips used to keep the lid on. In fact, the clips and the style of the handles seem to be the main differences between the various 6-quart options in this range.
Realistically, the basic slow cooker is the same in each case and the changes appear to be mostly cosmetic in nature. So, you could pick based on which model you like the look of and what happens to be available when you are making your choice.
33464 Set and Forget + Stay or Go Slow Cooker
- Model Number: 33464
- Size: 6 quarts
In many ways, this model is a combination of two different ranges. While it is called a Set ‘n Forget slow cooker, the hinged lid is the style used in the Stay and Go range. As with other Stay and Go slow cookers, the design makes this model very easy to transport and there is little risk of any spillage. Additionally, the hinged arm designed used here is stronger than many of the clip-on lids that were seen in previous models.
Essentially, this model lets you have the best of both ranges. At the same time, the product manages to be pretty reasonable in terms of price. The only catch is that there aren’t all that many reviews on Amazon, so it’s hard to know how it performs in practice. Nevertheless, the slow cooker will probably perform just as well as the more popular models.
Comparing Hamilton Beach’s Other Slow Cooker Models
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