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A basic slow cooker is easy to find, but choosing one gets harder when you also want to sear, sauté, steam, roast, and cook rice without filling your counter with separate appliances. The Hamilton Beach 9-in-1 6 Quart Programmable Slow Cooker, model 33604, combines those jobs in one 6-quart cooker with a removable rectangular ceramic nonstick pot. Its biggest strengths are the broad cooking menu, in-pot searing, family-size capacity, and dishwasher-safe removable parts. The main limitation is that its 1-to-15-hour Delay Start is designed for white rice, whole grains, and steam, not for every cooking mode.
Quick Verdict
Rating: 8.7/10, Recommended with caveats
Best For: Families and meal-preppers who want slow cooking plus searing, rice, steaming, and roasting in one appliance.
Bottom Line: You get a versatile 9-in-1 cooker with a roomy 6-quart pot and useful one-pot browning. You should skip it if you mainly want a simple slow cooker, a travel-locking lid, or pressure-cooking capability.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Hamilton Beach |
| Model | 33604 |
| Product type | 9-in-1 programmable searing slow cooker / multi-cooker |
| Capacity | 6 quarts |
| Pot shape | Rectangular |
| Cooking options | Slow Cook (High/Low), White Rice, Whole Grain, Sear, Brown, Sauté, Roast, Steam, and Keep Warm |
| Pot surface | Ceramic nonstick, listed as PFAS-free |
| Capacity examples | Up to a 6 lb chicken, 4 lb roast, or barbecue for up to 25 sliders; serves 7+ |
| Power | 1350 watts, 120 V |
| Dimensions | 11.02 in D × 17.13 in W × 9.84 in H |
| Item weight | 11.9 lb |
| Dishwasher-safe parts | Removable pot, roasting/steaming rack, and glass lid |
| Delay Start | 1 to 15 hours for white rice, whole grain, and steam |
| Warranty | 1-year manufacturer warranty listed by a major retailer |
Key Takeaways
- The 6-quart rectangular pot is sized for family meals and is listed to serve seven or more people.
- You can slow cook, sear, brown, sauté, roast, steam, cook white rice or whole grains, and use Keep Warm from one appliance.
- The ceramic nonstick pot lets you sear or brown ingredients in the cooker, so you do not need a separate pan for that step.
- The removable pot, roasting/steaming rack, and glass lid are dishwasher safe.
- Delay Start is useful but limited to white rice, whole grain, and steam programs.
What Is the Hamilton Beach 33604?
The Hamilton Beach 33604 is a 6-quart programmable multi-cooker built around slow cooking but expanded with eight other cooking choices. Instead of moving meat to a skillet before slow cooking, you can sear or brown it directly in the ceramic nonstick pot. You can also sauté vegetables, roast, steam, and prepare white rice or whole grains.
The 6-quart rectangular vessel gives you enough room for a 6 lb chicken, 4 lb roast, or barbecue for up to 25 sliders. Hamilton Beach lists the cooker as serving seven or more people, so it is better suited to family dinners, batch cooking, and entertaining than to one- or two-person portions.
Who Should Buy It?
Best For
- You want one cooker for slow cooking, searing, rice, steaming, sautéing, and roasting.
- You regularly cook family-size meals, roasts, chicken, side dishes, or party food.
- You value dishwasher-safe removable parts and a nonstick cooking surface.
Skip If
- You only need basic low/high slow cooking and want the simplest controls possible.
- You need pressure cooking, which this model does not provide.
- You need a locking travel lid designed to secure food during transport.
Before You Buy: Do not assume the 1-to-15-hour Delay Start works with slow cooking. The verified product listing limits Delay Start to white rice, whole grain, and steam programs.
Why the 9-in-1 Cooking System Matters
The strongest reason to choose this model over a basic slow cooker is flexibility. Slow Cook Low and High cover traditional soups, stews, roasts, casseroles, and desserts, while the dedicated rice and whole-grain programs handle side dishes without requiring a separate rice cooker.
Sear, Brown, and Sauté are especially useful when a recipe benefits from browning meat or softening aromatics first. Because you can do those steps in the same removable pot, you can keep more flavor in the cooking vessel and reduce the number of pans you need to wash.
Searing, Roasting, Steaming, and Rice Cooking
The cooker is not limited to long, low-temperature recipes. You can roast larger cuts, steam vegetables or fish with the included rack, and use the rice programs for white rice or whole grains. The Keep Warm function also helps hold finished food for serving after an applicable cooking cycle ends.
This combination is most valuable when you will actually use several modes. If you already own a rice cooker, steamer, and skillet that you prefer, some of the 9-in-1 advantage may be redundant.
Pro Tip: For recipes that benefit from browning, sear meat or sauté aromatics in the cooking pot first, then switch to your slow-cook or roast program. This keeps the browned flavor in the same vessel and cuts down on cleanup.
Design and 6-Quart Capacity
The removable rectangular pot is a practical shape for roasts, chicken, layered casseroles, and party foods. Hamilton Beach says it can hold a 6 lb chicken or 4 lb roast and can prepare enough barbecue for up to 25 sliders. That makes the cooker a good fit for households that often cook several portions at once.
At roughly 17.13 inches wide, the unit takes more counter space than a compact slow cooker, so measure your storage area before buying. The listed 11.9 lb weight is manageable for a multi-cooker, but the overall footprint still matters if you plan to move it in and out of a cabinet often.
Controls, Timer, and Delay Start
The easy-touch push-button controls and digital display are designed to keep operation straightforward. For most programs, you can set cooking time and temperature rather than relying only on fixed presets. A countdown display helps you see how much cooking time remains.
The Delay Start feature needs a closer look because it is easy to misunderstand. You can delay white rice, whole grain, and steam programs from 1 to 15 hours. It is not advertised as a universal delayed-start timer for Slow Cook Low or Slow Cook High.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Cleanup is one of the easier parts of owning this model. The removable PFAS-free nonstick pot, roasting/steaming rack, and glass lid are listed as dishwasher safe. For hand washing, use hot soapy water and avoid abrasive cleaners or scouring pads that could damage the nonstick surface.
Let the cooker cool before cleaning, unplug the base, and wipe the exterior with a soft damp cloth. Do not immerse the electrical base in water. Dry removable parts before storage so the cooker is ready for the next use.
Food Safety and Everyday Use
Because this appliance handles meat, poultry, rice, and other perishable foods, safe preparation still matters. For slow cooking, thaw frozen meat or poultry before placing it in the cooker. Slow cookers take time to reach full cooking temperature, so starting with frozen meat can keep food in unsafe temperature ranges for too long.
Use a food thermometer when cooking meat or poultry, follow the recipe and product manual, and avoid leaving perishable ingredients sitting for long periods before cooking begins. The Delay Start function is best used only as directed for its supported programs.
How It Performs in Real Use
For Family Dinners
The 6-quart capacity is the main advantage when you are cooking for several people. A whole chicken up to the listed 6 lb size, a 4 lb roast, chili, pulled meat, or a large casserole can fit without moving up to an oversized 8-quart cooker.
For One-Pot Meal Prep
Searing and sautéing in the same vessel can save time at the beginning and end of a recipe. You can brown meat, cook onions or other aromatics, add the remaining ingredients, and continue with slow cooking without transferring everything between pans.
For Rice, Grains, and Steamed Sides
The dedicated white-rice and whole-grain settings make the cooker more useful on days when you are not slow cooking. The included rack also gives the Steam program a clear job for vegetables, fish, or other foods that suit steaming.
For Entertaining
The serving capacity makes this model useful for gatherings, especially for barbecue, meatballs, dips, or other dishes that can be held warm after cooking. Keep in mind that it does not have the locking travel-lid focus found on some Cook & Carry-style slow cookers, so it is better treated as a countertop cooker than as a transport-first model.
Setup and Usage Tips
- Measure your counter first: The cooker is about 17.13 inches wide, so confirm that you have room around it for safe use.
- Use the in-pot searing feature: Browning before slow cooking can improve color and flavor without adding another pan.
- Match Delay Start to the correct program: Use it for white rice, whole grain, or steam as specified, not as a general timer for every mode.
- Protect the nonstick surface: Avoid abrasive scrubbers and cleaners. Use utensils that are gentle on nonstick cookware.
- Thaw meat and poultry first for slow cooking: Follow food-safety guidance and confirm doneness with a food thermometer.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Nine cooking options cover slow cooking, rice, searing, browning, sautéing, roasting, steaming, and warming.
- 6-quart rectangular pot serves seven or more and fits common family-size cuts.
- Sear and brown directly in the ceramic nonstick pot.
- Removable pot, rack, and glass lid are dishwasher safe.
- Digital controls, countdown display, and supported Delay Start add convenience.
Cons
- Delay Start does not apply to every cooking mode.
- No pressure-cooking function.
- The 17-inch-wide footprint may be more than small kitchens want to store.
Is It Worth the Price?
The Hamilton Beach 33604 sits in the mid-range multifunction category rather than the basic slow-cooker category. You are paying for more than Low and High heat: the value comes from in-pot searing, rice and grain programs, steaming, roasting, programmable controls, and a 6-quart family-size vessel.
It offers the strongest value if those extra functions let you replace or avoid buying other countertop appliances. If you only need traditional slow cooking a few times a month, a simpler programmable slow cooker can be a better use of your money.
How It Compares to Alternatives
The Crock-Pot Programmable 6-Quart Cook & Carry is a better comparison if transport matters most because it uses a locking gasket lid and focuses on programmable slow cooking. The Instant Pot Pro 6QT is the stronger choice if you want pressure cooking in addition to slow cooking, rice, steaming, and sautéing.
The Hamilton Beach 33604 makes the most sense when you want a slow-cooker-first design with direct searing, rice, steam, roast, and sauté functions, but you do not need pressure cooking or a travel-locking lid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you sear meat directly in the Hamilton Beach 33604?
Yes. The cooker is designed to sear or brown directly in its ceramic nonstick pot, so you can brown meat before roasting or slow cooking without using a separate stovetop pan.
Does Delay Start work with the slow-cook settings?
No. The verified listing specifies the 1-to-15-hour Delay Start for white rice, whole grain, and steam. Do not buy this model expecting a delayed start for every program.
How many people does the 6-quart capacity serve?
Hamilton Beach lists the cooker for seven or more servings. The pot is also sized for a 6 lb chicken, 4 lb roast, or enough barbecue for up to 25 sliders.
Which parts are dishwasher safe?
The removable cooking pot, roasting/steaming rack, and glass lid are listed as dishwasher safe. The electrical cooker base should only be wiped with a damp cloth and should never be immersed in water.
Can you cook frozen meat directly in it on Slow Cook?
You should thaw meat or poultry before slow cooking. USDA food-safety guidance warns that frozen meat can take too long to reach a safe cooking temperature in a slow cooker.
Does the cooking pot need an induction cooktop for searing?
No. Searing and browning are built into the cooker, and the product listing specifically says no stovetop is necessary for those functions. Use the appliance as directed rather than placing the cooker base on a cooktop.
Is the pot PFAS-free?
The current product listing describes the removable ceramic nonstick pot as PFAS-free. Avoid abrasive cleaning tools so you do not unnecessarily wear the nonstick surface.
What warranty comes with the Hamilton Beach 33604?
A major retailer lists a 1-year manufacturer warranty for model 33604. Warranty terms can depend on market and seller, so confirm the current terms with Hamilton Beach or the retailer when you buy.
The Bottom Line
The Hamilton Beach 33604 is a strong fit if you want a 6-quart slow cooker that can also sear, sauté, roast, steam, and cook rice or whole grains. Its main advantages are the 9-in-1 versatility, roomy rectangular pot, direct browning, and dishwasher-safe removable parts, while the key limitation is the restricted Delay Start function. Choose a simpler slow cooker if you will not use the extra modes, or a pressure multi-cooker if pressure cooking is essential.
