Sunbeam SecretChef Electronic 5.5L

Fantastic cooker. Makes my meals turn out perfectly every time. Great size for my big family too. Like the other reviews though, the digital display fails. My cooker doesn’t turn itself off mid cooking but does when I’m trying to set it up to start. Once I get it working though, it’s great. Can take 15 minutes of constantly pressing buttons trying to turn it on again. Very frustrating Show details

Doesn't last and can't be repaired – This machine lasted 4 years (was a gift) before the buttons stopped working. The machine would turn on and allow you to press the buttons at most 4 times to program (not enough to do a full program) before turning itself off. Took it to a registered Sunbeam repair centre who advised that these slow cookers can't be repaired as they only way to… Read more

repair them is to do more damage to the appliance making the repair more costly then buying a new one. They design them so you can't repair simple wear and tear and force you to buy again. Will never buy again. Such a waste and poor quality that it couldn't even last 5 years.

Poor quality and unreliable - barely used and turns off randomly – Within 5-6 uses, the slow cooker started turning off randomly while cooking. It doesn't even revert to keep warm, just turns off. The display is also busted. Nothing worse than arriving home to find that your dinner is uncooked and $30 worth of meat has spoiled. Avoid at all costs.

Fade out – Agree with the the Stoka on this problem Cant fault the cooking results. Easy to use however the letters have all faded and the led board has crashed so its a hit and miss when programming the time. Anybody know if led boards are available as spare parts or should I just purchase a new one. Different make maybe?  Show details

So easy, love it! – This is a 5.5 Lt machine, so it's quite large therefore it's great for freezing leftovers! The setting are very reliable, I always coat the meat first in a little flour and seal it slightly in a fry pan. Then everything goes in. I do check on it to make sure there is enough water as recipes vary, we all know that. Once I'm happy with the… Read more ·  4

consistency, I can go out for a few hours & come home to a beautiful smelling home & delicious dinner for the family. It's easy to clean, looks great & has a home near my cupboard door! I always look forward to the cooler months so Ii can explore the many options possible with this machine!

Slow Cooker for Everyone – This slow cooker works the same as all other slow cookers that I have tried in recent years. It is much cheaper than some of the other brands but that does not mean it does not perform as well. It is a breeze to clean and has a black bowl which does not show the dark lines like the white ones do. I love it.  Show details

Machine switches off after 40 minutes – Worked well for the first 3-4 cooks, then started switching off on its own. I have to run in every 30-40 minutes and switch it back on. I'm going to be taking it back for this reason. Show details

First Use Fail – Bought this 2 days ago, first use today. Digital display has turned off 4 times already and keeps doing so, I'm waiting for it top blow my house fuses now! Should have read reviews before buying. Will be returning tomorrow asap. Show details

Keeps Turning off – I just purchased the Sunbeam 5.5L slow cooker and the first time I am using it, it keeps turning on and off. Can I return it. I have had a Breville slow cooker for years and just replaced it and not happy. So far my meat has been on for a few hours and turned off three times Show details

Dodgy digital display – Sadly the digital display was missing a segment out of the box. We did try it twice and it cooked well, but took it back before it got worse and the warranty ran out like it has for many others. Bought a Crockpot instead, still made by Sunbeam Corp it seems. Seems strange that Sunbeam would waste a good product with a probable saving of a dollar for a better digital display mechanism. Show details

Digital timer issue – Very disappointed. Now out of warranty and the digital display is not working It was a gift to me and I am extremely disappointed When it was working I was very happy with it

Don't waste your money on this one – This is the second one of these slow cookers that I have purchased and the electronic timing panel has failed. I know, I should have learned my lesson with the first one. I don't recommend this slow cooker at all because of the frustration I have felt with the electronic timing. The same fault with each machine has occurred just after the… Read more

warranty runs out. The electronic timer indicates that it is holding the timer setting while I am setting it and then flicks off either when I am increasing the time or when I push the start button. This happens over and over until I give up and use my oven. In the early stages of the decline of the timer, I can get it to work after a few minutes however it is all downhill once it has started and the machine becomes quickly inoperable. I have now bought a different brand without an electronic timer.

Disappointed! – After a great start and lovely even slow cooking, the appliance started to fail about 6 months after the Warranty period ended. Seems to be an issue with the electronics. I contacted Sunbeam but they weren't interested in helping as it was out of the 12 month warranty period. I had expected the appliance to last for years, and am very… Read more

disappointed. I've made a complaint via NSW Fair Trading and will steer clear of Sunbeam products from now on.

Another one bites the dust – Have had this slow cooker 2 years and have used it about 20 times. As stated in lots of other reviews, the electronic panel on our cooker now doesn't work. Sunbeam have damaged their reputation with us on this one; we won't be buying another. Sunbeam should not continue selling this product with this very common fault. Show details

Slow cooker 5.5 litre (master series) – Purchased a sunbeam slow cooker 5.5 litre master series which would have been used 6 times through last winter only. The digital display has packed it in. So it is unable to be used. It is 4 months out of warranty. After speaking with customer service got the brush off, won’t put me through to a supervisor. With such a brand name as this I would have expected more. Very disappointing

Just shorted out my unit!!! – My slow cooker was amazing until the front panel casing decided to disintegrate on the inside and now the whole bit is hanging loose and when I turned it on it flicked my electrical safety switch, I realise its now 3 years old but the fact it is only used in cooler months and I live in QLD that's not so often and that it is kept in a cupboard how… Read more

the casing can do that is beyond me. Very dangerous if I was not at home like all slow cookers are really designed for.

Failure and no spare electronic module – The slow cooker worked great, just one problem the electronic module has failed, it’s 3 years old. As an electrician I’m very disappointed the electronics module is not available as a spare part. We are going to dump this one and buy another brand. Show details

Don't waste your money! – I bought an HP5590 in December 2016. Within the first year the digital display failed and the unit was replaced under the 12 month warranty. The digital display in the replacement unit has also failed. In addition, there is an issue with the unit intermittently turning off shortly after being turned on when selecting the temperature and cooking… Read more

hours.

I contacted Sunbeam who advised that the 12 month warranty is only valid from the original purchase date, so the replacement unit isn't covered even if it less than 12 months' old.

Buy another brand and don't waste your money on this Sunbeam product!

Not good – I have had this slow cooker for 5 months, it worked well for 2 months then it started to burn the sides and dry out the tops of the meals. I even put a timer on the plug and set it to come on To low a3 hours before I get home and it is still as bad as what it was when leaving it in all day. Not recommended, as it should be called a fast cooker not slow cooker!  Show details

Display becomes fault over time – Sunbeam kindly replaced my first sunbeam slow cooker hp 5590 when the display unit stopped working as it was less than a year old. The replaced slow cooker's display unit now stopped working, sadly its out of warranty, its 2 years old. I only use it once a month (if that), so have to say not impressed. Anyone else experienced this ? or any… Read more

suggestion on a new one to buy with no display unit. I hate waste and the environmental impact of disposing of two in 3 years !

Rubbish rippoff – Label writing on buttons wears off within a month so you do not know how to use item and now digital timer is losing letters and it seems from other reviews this will not last long . Sunbeam is a company that has no shame in making a product last for only a year .  Show details

Control panel fell off – I was really happy with this slow cooker which I bought in April 2017. I used it about 20 times last winter. When I took it out of the cupboard recently the control panel had fallen off; was hanging by a couple of wires and dangerous to use. I rang Sunbeam and the girl gave me a reference number and told me to take it back to David Jones for a… Read more

replacement, even though it was 2months out of warranty. Luckily I had kept my receipt. DJ’s didn’t have any similar models in stock, but gave me a refund. Was surprised that this cooker broke down so quickly. I had looked after it and there’s no reason the plastic control panel should have perished. Won’t buy the same brand again.

Timer lasts less than a year – We purchased our original slow cooker in May 2016, and it was working perfectly fine through most of the year. We use it mostly in winter and only occasionally in summer (probably no more than 15 times). Around June/July we noticed the timer would switch itself off while setting the time. We emailed Sunbeam who were actually great with replacing… Read more

the unit despite being past 12 months.

However, less than 12 months later (9 months), we're having the same issue with the timer (after about 12-15 meals). I have contacted Sunbeam again today and I'm now just waiting for their reply. I vaguely recall them saying at the time, that the replacement won't be replaced if there's an issue...!

The features of this slow cooker are basic, but good, when it works. We liked the option of having High and Low as well as Warm. We put ours on overnight, so when the timer ends early in the morning, the warmer kicks in and stays on for up to 6hrs. It would be good to be able to turn this feature off so the food has cooled when we wake up to be able to put it in the fridge.

So if you're into replacing your slow cooker every 12 months or less, then this is the one to buy. I think we'll go back to a basic slow cooker with no special features and just use a 24hr plug in timer. Avoid this slow cooker.

THIS SLOW COOKER HAVE A USED BY DATE?, & FEW NUMBER OF TIMES YOU CAN ONLY USE IT? – We have used this slow cooker a few times (around 5 times) and the meat cooked was good, there were about a few months gaps in between uses. We have been cleaning it properly and storing it back in its original box every after use. now on its past warranty period when we tried to use it, the control panel does not turn on, it just flickers trying… Read more

to,I've been searching for the control board part on the net but could not find one,I am a lic sparky,have checked the other electrical parts e.g. heater element &, TRiAC it was OK, the chip on the main board is not responding for the wake up signal, there is no thermal insulation between the the main board and the heater wall except for the plastic box housing it, probably why the chips performance decays and eventually die. ATTN SUNBEAM - this product would last longer if you would put insulation to protect the main board and the chip.

Lasts as long as the Warranty! – Used 3 successful Times over 12mnths. Got it out this morning to use 4th Time. Wont turn on. Not accepting Power at all. Various attempts to re plug - alter point being used -all failed. Slow Cooker is an essential Kitchen Appliance for me and this one was a Waste of $........ My previous Sunbeam Cooker lasted 8 years. This one seems like it was built to last to the 12 mnth Warranty. Wont give Sunbeam another chance to disappoint.  Show details

Perfect size and cooks well – Great product. Cooks evenly and is very easy to clean. Perfect size and love the timer feature. The warm setting is perfect temp to keep it warm and does not dry out meals. Only problem is the power chord! if I move the slow cooker the chord can easily fall out of machine resulting in turning the machine off.  Show details

Very useful item – The first one took over 24 hrs to cook a simple stew, so I had it replaced. The replacement works according to time predictions and is quite satisfactory. It is quite easy to clean with a removable bowl and lid. Meat is certainly more tender when cooked in this appliance.  Show details

Love it – I have had a few slow cookers over the years but this is by far the best I have had. I love it. Seriously if you are in the market for a good reliable cheap and easy to use slow cooker this is the one for you. I promise you will love it.  Show details

Great model – Very easy to turn on and leave to simmer for a few hours without having to check for water shortage, so easy to use and convenient, good for a my favourite stew. Just turn on and forget until ready to eat, also keeping warm for a long time. Instructions are easy to use and pretty easy to clean. Very pleased with the latest slow cooker, great product, just I wish price could be lower. Strong 4 stars.  Show details

This is ok – I am happy with cooking results but decided a multi cooker suits my needs. Ether . Easy too clean. The features are ok but I find its far slower than my multi cooker . On the upisde I can put it on earlier and it’s cooked at tea time not afternoon tea time  Show details

Two years and I’m in for a new one – I was fairly happy with how this cooked, I looked after the bowl with how I washed it up and always made sure to wash it with warm water when it was hot so the temperature change didn’t make it crack. But I was cooking a meal and all of a sudden it cracked! And food seaped through under. Not very safe. Not looking at getting the same brand  Show details

Good cooker but ceramic bowl cracked straight away – Was a good slow cooker - countdown timer function and auto warming were good. The ceramic bowl cracked almost immediately. We were offered a new one but didn't get a chance to replace. We continued to use it until the bowl completely cracked and then threw it out. Disappointed that the bowl cracked so soon. I note that others here have had the same fault.  Show details

Cooks Great – The food I cooked in the slow cooker was always a hit with the family and others. Really simple to clean. The display cut out on me earlier in it's life and I ended up having to count the hours I input by the beeps. I thought I would break the lid first, but in the end I had a perfect glass lid and a cracked ceramic inner. I don't know if it was the age or if I added some liquid while the surface was hot, but so sad we don't have one now.  Show details

Cooks well, just watch out - it gets very hot to touch! – Very happy with the cooking results, but the metal casing of the slow cooker gets very hot, and may warp any plastic around it, even laminate if you use it on a laminate bench - make sure you put it down on a wooden chopping board if you don't have a marble bench, or on your metal sink. little bit cumbersome to clean - accidentally dropped the… Read more

bowl in the sink (very small drop) and it broke the bowl, which costs more to replace than just buying a new one.