Sunbeam SecretChef HP8555

I got my Sunbeam SecretChef Slow cooker as a birthday gift last August.
I use it at least three times a week (I get Hello Fresh meals) and I love, love how simple mealtime is!
It even encouraged my two teenage sons to help with the cooking in the kitchen as the sear and slow cooking options make it so much easier and replace different pots and pans being used-thus fewer dishes!
But then last night it simply gave up – after only a little more than one year. Will still slow cook but appears element has blown as it won’t even heat up to the 100 degrees option. I assume it has two heating elements in each side of the cooking surface? Now only one side heats up and doesn't have enough power to cook anything so the whole unit is useless!
I am devastated and very disappointed as Sunbeam is a well-loved name in our household and I trusted this appliance will last longer!

I love this slow cooker and have cooked many meals in it, from roasts, to curries, to soups. However, the pan doesn't have a good quality teflon/non stick surface and although I take much care with it and only use non scratch utensils, it has scratched and has burnt areas. This could be a five star product but is let down by the poor quality coating on the pan. Considering the price, it should be better, no one wants teflon in their meals.

Have not been disappointed with this product. Performs as expected,easy to use,has all features necessary to make using in a variety of ways simple and tasty. I am happy with my purchase have used many times over last few years with success and will continue to do so

Love the concept of this slow cooker as I like to prep a slow cook meal in the morning. The searing function as well as the variable controls are a great concept.
I’m very disappointed however as the Teflon has peeled away from the inner pan despite my careful choice of utensils. Another piece of landfill! Such a shame!

Love this product when new. The sear function ensures that you can seal in the flavour of a variety of meat, caramelize onions and then cook in the juices. Use at least once per week for a variety of tasks from risotto to slow cooked curries. Am now onto my second unit and it has now died. Will still slow cook but appears element has blown as wont even heat up to the 100 degrees option. Both units have died just after running out of warranty. Highly recommend the product but wish I had longer usage given the price. Very easy to use and clean.

My two year old Secret Chef has been fabulous to use, but after watching the paint peel itself off progressively, I’m so disappointed that it is heading for the bin. Tonight’s cauliflower soup is one of the first light coloured dishes I’ve cooked in it; and for the first time I’m actually seeing the effect of peeling - what looks like cracked pepper but is a Teflon paint seasoning. That’s it! It’s out! I have been the only user and have only used soft utensils. Why can’t companies make something that lasts.....!
Sunbeam sound like this coating is an ongoing failure from all these identical reviews. Wish I’d read them before trusting this product.

i am on my second machine after claiming on the 12month warranty for peeling teflon. the replacement also peeled, to buy new insert is $70. disheartened with the Sunbeam product.

I have only used this product four times, the last being on Saturday. The food was ruined, over cooked and we couldn’t eat it. I experience the same problem every time, it is impossible to cook on Low, the food cooks way too fast. I think there must be something wrong with the thermostat. In the recipe section of the instruction booklet, one recipe says to cook on Low for 8 hours, not possible with this machine. Slow cookers I have used in the past, I could set when leaving for work and would cook for 8 hours without a problem. On Low setting, food is cooked before 3 hours with this machine. Also I am having a problem with the insert peeling, even though I only use correct utensils, like other users. I do not recommend this product. I will never buy another Sunbeam product again, top $$ ($169 ) but seriously below par quality-wise. I don’t expect to pay top dollar and for something not to work regardless of the miserable 12 month warranty period. That says it all.

Have had 3 cooking pan replacements due to the teflon blistering and peeling. The slow cooker was great for a few months but there is a fault in the pans. We are extremely careful in the care and washing of the teflon surface. Sunbeam admitted there was a problem with the pans on the first replacement and after the 3rd won't replace it, which is fair enough. Don't waste your money, which is a shame as a good cooker when it goes.

Non stick coating started peeling off the insert after only 7 months. Contacted Sunbeam who replaced the whole unit because there was a long wait on the inserts. 16 months later and the coating is peeling off again (it was replaced in summer so has only had a few months use). Sunbeam are refusing to replace due to being out of warranty. Don’t waste your money on this product.

I bought the slow cooker for my Hubby. He loves using it, you are able to sear and seal the meat first (no frypan needed). It is deep and holds lamb shanks with ease, the digital screen makes it easy to read. I have enjoyed many a meal with Sunbeams slow cooker

Had our Sunbeam Secretchef for about 18 months now, and was using it weekly until recently. We love slow cooking (soup, stews), and the sear function, and timer, is super. We've had the same problem as the other reviewers though.
Despite only using silicone or wood utensils, the non stick coating is coming off in strips. We don't feel it's safe to use anymore. I've just read that a replacement insert pot costs around $70! What?! That's not reasonable for a device, even one about 18 months old.

Just purchased my Sunbeam HP 8555 browning slow cooker. Am new to slow cookers use. Have used it once, made a stew and very happy with the browning function and cooker overall so far. Hope it continues to function this well. Will update review in 3 months. Fingers crossed it will continue to serve me well.

I bought this in 2015 and have used on a regular basis ever since. Absolutely loved the sear function and could never fault the unit until about 4 months ago when the non-stick surface insert needed replacing. This cost about $70 but I was happy to do it since it had been such a great appliance thus far. However, I’m now finding that the unit doesn’t reach a temperature higher than the lowest setting- seems like the element is failing. For the price I expected more than a 3 year lifespan so am very disappointed, as I’ve had sunbeam appliances last 10 years+ before. Now considering going to another brand when I replace it.

Does a great job cooking but is let down by the non stick coating which just peels off. never used anything but plastic utensils. it was a gift so i dont have the receipt and when i called customer service i got quoted $90 for a new tub. considering sunbeam is well aware this product has issues i think that is a poor effort at getting more money from a customer. you can buy the same cooker new for $130. i went and bought a slow cooker with the old clay pot for less than what sunbeam wanted for the tub. it has all the timers and you dont have to worry about health effects of coatings coming off in your food.

My slow is fantastic, however as previously mentioned the non stick coating has cracked. I only use and own plastic utensils and so am extremely disappointed in this. Especially as it is only around a year old. We have purchased the extended warranty as well. Feel like this needs to be rectified in order to make one of the best products in this range on the market!

Purchased in Jul 2017 have been away for 3 months had out to cook soup then when cleaning found non stick peeling off. I have only used silicone and non stick utensils in this. Very disappointed as I have purchased a lot of Sunbeam appliances over the years and now I have a slow cooker that works and I cannot use.

I had read others reviews on this product about the non-stick coating coming off, but decided to chance it as i liked the other features. It was great for twelve months, and then it happened. The non-stick coating started to bubble off in the bottom of the insert. Never used anything but silicone in it. As the original warranty had just run out, and i had purchased and extra two year warranty, i rang up the backup warranty place only to be told that it doesn't cover the non-stick coating - only the working parts. To say i'm angry doesn't even cover it! So now i'm stuck with a 1 year old slow cooker that works but i can't use it because you are not supposed to ingest non-stick coating (which will happen if i cook food in it now) Don't think i'll bother with extra warranty again. Grrr

Only used my Sunbeam once, but so far very happy. Love the fact that I can brown my meat and then slow cook in the same appliance. At 5.5 L its a great size with room to cook for a family. Love the different setting options. Very easy to operate. HOpe the coating doesn’t damage as reviewed by others!

Was thrilled with my Secret Chef and as all my appliances are Sunbeam was expecting good service. How wrong can you be. The coating scratched easily with wood and then bubbled and peeled off. I have read all the previous reviews here and it is a common fault. My appliance is 3 years old(no actually 2 1/2 yrs) and is dead....not good service. Have asked Sunbeam and they say buy a new insert for the ones coated after mine are different. As the inserts are $70 I think I might be buying another brand.

Our local FB group often ask for user opinions and I will certainly let them know and will not be purchasing Sunbeam again. I have Cafe Jug, Toaster, Mixer and many other things bought 10 years ago and expect to replace soon, but will not be Sunbeam as quality today is not the same.

THE GOOD GUYS have been fabulous standing by what they sell which is more than I can say for SUNBEAM. Got a new Secret Chef today which will be great for it has the new style non stick insert used since 2015.

Val

Very disappointed in After Sales Support from SUNBEAM