The catch
Hamilton Beach 33662 Stovetop Sear & Cook 6QT
Not every recipe length lines up with one of the five timer choices.
Side by side
Hamilton Beach 33662 vs West Bend 87905: Hamilton goes over to Warm, and West Bend’s base can also serve as a griddle
Quick verdict
If the end of cooking has to move into Warm automatically, go with 33662. If the included tote and storage lid, or using its base separately as a griddle, fit your routine, 87905 is the better choice. On both, the cooking vessel can brown on a stovetop.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
A late return decides who ends the cooking phase
After the chosen cooking time, 33662 goes to Warm by itself. With West Bend’s manual dial, somebody has to turn it. So when dinner is done before anyone gets home, Hamilton Beach takes care of a step that West Bend leaves to you.
Where this comes from
hamilton-beach-33662: Switches to Warm automatically once the selected timer finishes. west-bend-87905: Manual dial where you choose the cooking and Warm settings.
The catch
West Bend 87905 Versatility 5QT Silver
With a manual dial, switching from cooking to Warm is up to you.
Hamilton Beach 33662 Stovetop Sear & Cook 6QT
- Why pick it
- Nobody will be close by to change the heat when the selected cooking time runs out. Look into seller support for remaining new stock of the archived 33662.
- Your established six-quart recipe stays within the manual’s fill guidance.
- The catch
- Not every recipe length lines up with one of the five timer choices.
West Bend 87905 Versatility 5QT Silver
- Why pick it
- You move the cooker around often and want the included tote and storage lid. Keep it level in transit, since the storage lid does not seal fully.
- Following its instructions, you plan to use the exposed base as a griddle too.
- The catch
- With a manual dial, switching from cooking to Warm is up to you.
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What this page compares
How the six-quart 33662 and the five-quart West Bend 87905 differ on stovetop browning, automatic Warm, a transport tote and the griddle base.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Cooking wraps up when nobody is home
Hamilton Beach moves itself to Warm. West Bend relies on someone turning the dial when the recipe is done.
- Hamilton Beach 33662 Stovetop Sear & Cook 6QT
- Better fit
- West Bend 87905 Versatility 5QT Silver
- Depends
You want to do the stovetop browning in the same vessel
Both manuals allow this way of cooking, provided you follow their instructions on burners and handling a hot vessel.
- Hamilton Beach 33662 Stovetop Sear & Cook 6QT
- Similar
- West Bend 87905 Versatility 5QT Silver
- Similar
You want a carrying kit that comes in the box
The tote and storage lid come with West Bend. For 33662, no lock or comparable carrying kit is confirmed. Having the tote doesn’t make the vessel leakproof.
- Hamilton Beach 33662 Stovetop Sear & Cook 6QT
- Depends
- West Bend 87905 Versatility 5QT Silver
- Better fit
You want to cook right on the exposed base as a griddle
Hamilton Beach does not allow cooking in the base. West Bend offers a Griddle mode meant for use with the vessel taken out.
- Hamilton Beach 33662 Stovetop Sear & Cook 6QT
- Not suitable
- West Bend 87905 Versatility 5QT Silver
- Better fit
In practice
Differences you will notice
A late return decides who ends the cooking phase
After the chosen cooking time, 33662 goes to Warm by itself. With West Bend’s manual dial, somebody has to turn it. So when dinner is done before anyone gets home, Hamilton Beach takes care of a step that West Bend leaves to you.
How we worked this out
hamilton-beach-33662: Switches to Warm automatically once the selected timer finishes. west-bend-87905: Manual dial where you choose the cooking and Warm settings.
The tote helps you carry the cooker but doesn’t seal it
West Bend comes with a tote and a storage lid, and no comparable transport hardware is confirmed for 33662. Still, the West Bend guide says the lid does not seal completely, calls for keeping the zipped bag level and forbids cooking with the storage lid on. If you go to potlucks often, the kit counts in its favor, but it isn’t spillproof.
How we worked this out
hamilton-beach-33662: The shared guide mentions optional clips, which does not confirm an included 33662 lock. west-bend-87905: Tote and storage lid, incomplete seal, carry level, no cooking with the storage lid.
The griddle is a bonus job with its own setup
In Griddle mode, West Bend expressly allows food to sit on the exposed heating plate. Hamilton Beach says to cook only in its removable pot. When a small griddle is something you would use again and again, West Bend’s base can do it, but never use the griddle setting for slow cooking.
How we worked this out
hamilton-beach-33662: Cook only in the removable pot, never in the base. west-bend-87905: Griddle mode cooks right on the base with no vessel. The Griddle setting is not for slow cooking.
Option A
Hamilton Beach · 33662
33662 Stovetop Sear & Cook 6QT
The pan lifts out so you can brown on a compatible stove, then set it in the base to slow cook. The new units still available are remaining stock of 33662, not the newer 33662MN.
- Best for
- Nobody will be close by to change the heat when the selected cooking time runs out. Look into seller support for remaining new stock of the archived 33662.
Facts we checked
- End of cooking: Selected time ends with automatic Warm
- Time control: 2/4/6/8/10 hours, 14-hour combined cycle
- Nominal vessel size: 6 qt
- Included carrying equipment: No included transport lock established
Option B
West Bend · 87905
87905 Versatility 5QT Silver
The vessel on this manual cooker can brown on a burner first and then sit on its base. An included tote and storage lid make the meal easier to carry, although the lid does not seal fully.
- Best for
- You move the cooker around often and want the included tote and storage lid. Keep it level in transit, since the storage lid does not seal fully.
Facts we checked
- End of cooking: Owner changes the manual dial
- Time control: No programmed end time
- Nominal vessel size: 5 qt
- Included carrying equipment: Tote plus separate storage lid
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Hamilton Beach 33662 Stovetop Sear & Cook 6QT | West Bend 87905 Versatility 5QT Silver | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| End of cooking | Selected time ends with automatic Warm | Owner changes the manual dial | With Hamilton Beach, nobody has to change the controls when the recipe finishes with everyone out. |
| Time control | 2/4/6/8/10 hours, 14-hour combined cycle | No programmed end time | Hamilton Beach’s presets can cover the length of a recipe you know well. With West Bend you have to keep track of when it finishes. |
| Nominal vessel size | 6 qt | 5 qt | Before you move a recipe written for the six-quart cooker into the smaller West Bend vessel, check that it still works. |
| Included carrying equipment | No included transport lock established | Tote plus separate storage lid | A carrying kit comes with West Bend, though its storage lid does not seal fully and has to come off before you cook. |
| Cooking directly on the base | Cook only in the removable pot | Base has a documented griddle function | West Bend’s base can do double duty. Hamilton Beach’s exposed base is not meant to be used like that. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Hamilton Beach 33662 Stovetop Sear & Cook 6QT
- Cooking and Warm both count toward the 14-hour limit, so a long cook leaves less hold time.
With West Bend 87905 Versatility 5QT Silver
- Traveling means swapping lids, and the storage lid still doesn’t seal fully, so the zipped tote has to be kept level.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
No one will be around to switch the cooker to Warm when the recipe ends.
Go with Hamilton Beach 33662 Stovetop Sear & Cook 6QT. After the selected time, 33662 changes on its own. The West Bend dial needs you to do it.
You would regularly use this appliance as a griddle too.
Go with West Bend 87905 Versatility 5QT Silver. 87905 documents cooking on the bare base in Griddle mode. For 33662, food must stay in the removable pot, as it explicitly states.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the slow cookers we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton Beach 33662 Stovetop Sear & Cook 6QT |
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| West Bend 87905 Versatility 5QT Silver |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Hamilton Beach 33662 Stovetop Sear & Cook 6QT
Nobody will be close by to change the heat when the selected cooking time runs out. Look into seller support for remaining new stock of the archived 33662.
See price & reviews on AmazonWest Bend 87905 Versatility 5QT Silver
You move the cooker around often and want the included tote and storage lid. Keep it level in transit, since the storage lid does not seal fully.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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