Sunbeam SecretChef HP8555

Would not recommend – We love the concept, however, from the start it would spit out hot liquid, which is dangerousl. The non stick coating has scratched, even though only non metal utensils are used and finally, the sear no longer works, it is less than 2 years old. Show details

Brilliant – Purchased 9 years ago for $143, great value. Sear function has been wonderful, but has now stopped working optimally. Browning can still be achieved it just takes a long time. Very easy to clean, the Teflon coating does get scratched from cooking with bones, soup, lamb shanks etc. Easy one pot cooking! Show details

Best product ever – Cooks to perfection. In addition to slow cooking this model has a browning feature. Browning the meat first, slow cook and then make the gravy after removing the meat. You can use it for cooking almost anything. Most used appliance in the kitchen. Show details

The best roasts ever – I purchased this around 12 months ago after my brother recommended it and I cant believe I let it sit for six months before pulling it out of the box. I have used it now multiple times, mainly for cooking roasts - beef, lamb & brisket. I threw some veges in the first time but I did not enjoy the vegetables mixing with the juices. So I now do the… Read more

veges in the oven and leave the slow cooker for meat.

The sear feature is unreal as I love my meat crispy on the outside, plus it seals in the juices.

Prepping the roast is simple - a little seasoning and herbs (optional) and lightly cover it it oil. Spay some oil in the pan and pop the roast in for searing. I like to sear it all over and leave it in a little longer to make the sides crispy.

After searing each side as you like it, you just pop the roast in and let the slow cooker do the rest. The slow cook feature can be set to low, medium or high which will determine the cooking time. I always go for low (8 hours), to guarantee the meat is deliciously tender and comes apart in strips or strings. It's so good like that.

The biggest issue is over eating. The meat is so good and moreish. I have had some amazing roasts in my life and this beats them all.

I highly recommend this slow cooker as a must-have for roast lovers. It does lots of other things too, but i have only used it for roasts. It's very well priced and stands alone as the best cooking appliance I have ever purchased.

Disappointed only lasted 2 years – Was happy with my slow cooker. But unfortunately it died tonight and I've only had it for 2 years and haven't used it heaps. So I'm not happy.

Cooking Surface lifting off pan – Great when it works! But the non stick cooking surface peels off which means it no longer is non-stick!!! Show details

DISCONTINUED LINE, NO SPARE PARTS AVAILABLE ANYWHERE – Coating lifts off cooking pan very quickly, even with only using silicon utensils. Not covered under warranty and now of course it's a discontinued product due to coating being no good. Great concept should have a stainless-steel cooking pan not toxic nonstick.

Already faulty, only used a handful of times – My slow cooker is only 4 years old and is already faulty even though I've probably only used it less than 10 times. The element looks like it's burnt on one side and only heats from the other side. Not good enough! Show details

Teflon coating peeled! – In theory this slow cooker was just what I wanted. To be able to sear meat in the same pot was a huge yes from me. However the Teflon coating started to actually peel! The quality is so poor. I always took care with cleaning and non stick soft spoons. I reached out to sunbeam who will not replace or refund it due to only 12 month warranty. Very disappointing as i believe it is a fault of the machine and have lost my faith in the brand now.

Disappointed – I have had this slow cooker for a while now, always washed by hand and never used any sharp utensils however the teflon coating has peeled off all over and it is unsafe to cook with now. Have contacted Sunbeam who advised they do not stock the parts for this anymore and I have tried all retailers they suggested for parts with no luck. Do not recommend Show details

Perfect Searing – This product has features that a busy cook will save time on. The features and controls and different settings seem easy to operate but the product does not last for more then 12 months. I had replacement after replacement under 12 months. So far I had the product replaced 3x. Sunbeam in my last replacement stated it will be the last… Read more

replacement. This time it died in the middle of a slow cook. Very very disappointed. I guess I won’t be getting another replacement again. It does make me wander the product must have a fault in it. This product will not give you more them 12 months usage.

No problems, love it! – I replaced my old crockery slow cooker with this Teflon style cooker. I use it at least twice a week for slow cooking. Contrary to other reviews saying it was too hot, I actually found the opposite and that it was not as hot as my old slow cooker. I am used to it now and love it. Love how easy it is to clean. I love the searing function but use… Read more

the temperature settings for searing so I can get the heat. Once you get used to the temperatures you will be fine.

Love, love, love it – I’ve had quite a few slow cookers over the years and this is by far my favourite. I would recommend it to anyone. Definite Value for money. The non stick inner bowl just washes with with warm water and a wipe, no staining. You can manually set the temp if you wish as well as the auto high/low option, and the sear option is brilliant. Show details

Teflon coating peeling – I love this, however the teflon coating started to peel so I immediately stopped using it for safety reasons. I contacted both sunbeam and Myer and no one would replace as it was just out of warranty. I am bitterly disappointed as it should not do this. Very poor quality. Plus its $70+$20postage for a new pan. I refuse to pay this when it is clearly a fault with the product. Show details

Non stick coating starts to flake off after a few months – In theory this product is fantastic - a slow cooker that lets you sear first. In reality this product is very poor quality. The non-stick coating is simply "not fit for purpose" and starts to flake off after only a few months of reasonable use despite all care taken, use of only silicone utensils and careful washing. The first basket was replaced… Read more

under warranty. The non stick coating has also flaked off on the second basket. This product is unfortunately destined for landfill after a short amount of use due to the health risks associated with ingesting non stick coating.

Disappointed – The product packed it in midway through cooking a meal. I received it for a Christmas present 4 months back and it’s only lasted a few cooks. Its power source does not operate at all. To further add to the disappointment the phone line warranty service seems to not exist. The line drops you out with a msg that no one can attend you. The email… Read more

never responds back to you either. Frustrating. Would think twice about supporting this brand due to the quality of the product and the support on offer for customers.

Worked great approx 8 times... 2 weeks out of warranty & it dies – I have used this product approx 8 times & a few months ago I thought the searing was slow but was preoccupied & thought I'll check it next time.... Well 2 weeks out of warranty & after 40mins trying to brown onions I gave up & used the stove.... Really disappointed in this product. Going to try & call the company but the warranty is not valid. Never again waste my money on this brand. Show details

Devastated!! – 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… Read more ·  1

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!

Great slow cooker, poor quality coating on pan – 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. Show details

Very satisfied – 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 Show details ·  1

Perfect for probably 20 uses – 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! Show details

didn't listen to reviews, learning the hard way – 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. Show details

Really Disappointed – 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… Read more

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.