Slow cookers are an easy way to make delicious meals that still taste like they took a lot of effort slaving away over the stove. You can throw all your ingredients into a slow cooker in the morning, turn it on, head to school or work, and have a tasty dinner waiting for you when you come home!
Not all slow cookers are created equal, though. The Hamilton Beach 33866 Slow Cooker and the Instant Pot LUX Mini Slow Cooker are both great options if you’re on the hunt for a new slow cooker, but they each suit different needs.
The Hamilton Beach 33866 has a 6-quart capacity and comes with a temperature probe for safe and perfectly cooked meals. The Instant Pot LUX Mini has a 3-quart capacity and can also be programmed to function as a rice cooker, food warmer, pressure cooker, and more.
Special Features
Hamilton Beach 33866
The Hamilton Beach 33866 can hold and cook up to 6 quarts of food, so it’s perfect for meal prepping or making large batches of food for the whole family. It comes with an easy-to-use temperature probe, so your food will never be over or underdone again. The digital display on the front works as a countdown timer and probe readout. When you’re not using the food thermometer, you can put it safely in the designated probe storage area located on the lid’s handle.
Instant Pot LUX Mini
The Instant Pot LUX Mini has a 3-quart capacity, so it’s perfect for making single serving dinners or side dishes. It also comes with extra settings that allow it to function as six different kitchen appliances at once. You can also use this slow cooker as a pressure cooker, rice cooker, food warmer, steamer, and sauté-er. This model has also been designed with ten patented safety mechanisms to prevent any kitchen accidents or safety hazards.
Conclusion: The Hamilton Beach 33866’s special features cater more towards home cooks looking to prep large batches of food. Its built-in internal temperature probe also ensures food safety and quality.
The Instant Pot LUX Mini’s special features are better suited for people who are looking to save space in their kitchen. Its smaller size and multiple functions allow it to fit seamlessly into your kitchen space and perform the duties of many appliances at once.
Programmability
Hamilton Beach 33866
This slow cooker has three temperature settings: low, medium, and high. When used with the temperature probe, it can also cook and maintain food at a specific temperature. When your food is done, the slow cooker automatically shifts to warming mode to keep your food hot. In addition to performing the functions of a traditional slow cooker, this model can also be programmed to braise, sous vide, and simmer. It also has fondue and yogurt settings.
Instant Pot LUX Mini
In addition to its six appliance settings, this slow cooker also features ten built-in programs geared towards specific types of food, like eggs, porridge, soup, and stew. It can also be programmed to pressure cook food for up to 4 hours, delay start cooking for up to 24 hours, and keep food warm for up to 10 hours. You can also connect this slow cooker to your Alexa device and access guided cooking, recipes, video tutorials, and customizable grocery lists.
Conclusion: The Hamilton Beach 33866 has a smaller range of settings that more closely resemble the functions of a traditional slow cooker. It’s simple, streamlined, and user-friendly. In contrast, the Instant Pot LUX Mini has a wide variety of programmable features that allow it to function not only as a slow cooker but as five other appliances as well. Its compatibility with Alexa adds an appealing, smart dimension to its already a vast number of settings.
Design
Hamilton Beach 33866
This slow cooker is sturdily designed, weighing in at just over 13 pounds. Its inner crock is made of durable stoneware, which is oven-proof, microwave safe, and dishwasher friendly. Its glass lid has four vents designed specifically so you can easily insert the temperature probe without having to remove the lid. It also comes with attached lid clips that securely clamp the slow cooker shut, making it easy to transport without making a mess.
Instant Pot LUX Mini
The outer and inner cooking pot of this slow cooker is made of brushed stainless steel, making them easy-to-clean and fingerprint resistant. This model also comes with several accessories, including a steam rack, rice paddle, and measuring cup. The inner cooking pot is food-grade and dishwasher-safe, as are the steam rack and lid. The entire unit weighs in at 8.5 pounds.
Conclusion: Both the Hamilton Beach 33866 and the Instant Pot LUX Mini come with removable and dishwasher-safe inner pots, making cleanup easy. Despite being larger and heavier, the 33866 is still easily portable, thanks to the lock-tight clips that secure the lid to the base. The LUX Mini boasts a variety of extra accessories included with the slow cooker unit, adding value and versatility.
A Delicious Dinner is Just a Slow Cook Away
Slow cookers are an unbelievably easy and cost-effective way to make delicious meals at the push of a button. If you’re looking for a new slow cooker, the Hamilton Beach 33866 and the Instant Pot LUX Mini are both excellent choices. The powerful, hefty Hamilton Beach 33866 is perfect for anyone who wants to prepare big batches of perfectly-cooked food with ease. Its built-in thermometer and lid-locking clips make it both safe and portable.
The compact, versatile Instant Pot LUX Mini is perfect for anyone who loves a smart, multitasking kitchen appliance that can perform many functions at once. Its bevy of programmable settings and added accessories give you a lot of bang for your buck. Either way, you’ll be delighted with the ease and efficiency of a homemade, slow-cooked meal!
