Presto 06019 8-Quart Nomad Traveling Slow Cooker, Locking Lid, Dry Erase Board, Green/Gold

I've been wanting to purchase this for almost a year but I was waiting until it went back on sale. I'm so glad I've finally been able to get it. I wish I'd known about it when it came out!I've gone through a regular hassle using conventional slow cookers over the years for various reasons. Most notably and the "straw that broke the camel's back" has been the ordeal of transporting a conventional slow cooker (both empty and full, both hot and cold) from home to an event and back without risking making a mess or damaging any part of the cooker (especially its controls). We regularly have events at my work where slow cookers are used, and while I enjoy the cooking and competition, I dreaded the transportation and clean-up.Not only does this Presto travel-ready slow cooker resolve that stressful transportation scenario in all respects, it improves the overall slow-cooker experience in ways I hadn't even considered.Notably, the Presto is much lighter than a typical slow cooker, likely due to having a metal rather than ceramic inner "bowl". The handle is sturdy and feels good, and the size and shape make it very transportation-friendly, especially compared to the awkward oval- and circle-shaped typical slow cookers with just the small hands on the sides. The power cord even goes back inside the bottom and has a clever clip to hold the end in place, so no more having to wrap the cord around the pot or through the handle or any other nonsense solution. The dry-erase board and included marker are a brilliant touch.I also liked how the two locations to open the lid are at the front corners of the lid, where they'll be cool and easy to reach. Not only that, this location at the front corners nearly eliminates the chance of getting one's arm bathed in steam when opening the lid of a hot device, as is de rigeur for most other slow cookers (as the lid handles are almost always in the center of those lids, and there's no way to escape the heat when opening it). Again, such a clever touch that also fits the aesthetic of the design.I already put it to the test and it did such a marvelous job. It warmed up quickly on the highest setting, it kept warm as designed, and the shape allowed for easy stirring without making a mess. I did a package of ground beef (along with the beef stock and other ingredients), and it was almost like the cooker was designed for the size and shape of the "loaf" of ground meat.Clean-up was a breeze! The lid comes right off without tools (just open it all the way, and lift straight up), and the gasket is easy to clean out. The metal "bowl" - as mentioned before - is nice and light. All the surfaces around the cooking area are flat and easy to wipe down any splashes. Best of all, no tools are required to remove any major components, not even a screwdriver as I've had to do on prior slow cookers to remove the handles for cleaning, for example. There are screws holding on the cover for the power cord storage area, but they don't have to come off to facilitate pushing the cord back into its home.My sole tiny point of dissatisfaction - and it's almost trivial, as it's a personal affectation rather than a design flaw - would be the tension mechanism for the handle. Unless the handle is fully vertical (90°) the lid (and handle) aren't locked in place. So - for example - if I wanted to carry the device from underneath, then the lid could bounce around while walking unless the handle is fully upright. In the same vein, as the handle has to be fully upright to seal the lid down while cooking, it could possibly get in the way or possibly be an unintended target when moving around the cooking area; that said, the upright handle does serve as a partial physical barrier to putting anything on top of the lid while cooking (which is flat rather than concave like most other cookers), so that's a plus. The handle design does remind me of the Igloo coolers that this design is inspired by where the lid could only be opened/removed if the handle was fully folded down in one direction, and the mechanism would keep the lid tightly in place otherwise. However, I personally wish that the Presto had some sort of rotating ratchet or other latching mechanism at the hinge so that the handle could be locked into place at different locations (even if just the horizontal and vertical axes), and that it would also allow the lid to be locked down regardless of handle position. Again, this is largely a nitpick, but as clever and genuinely delightful as the design is ("it sparks joy!" ) it's the sole aspect that doesn't shine entirely brightly.TL;DR: I'm so glad I bought this, wish I'd bought it before, and look forward to many years of traveling with it!

Long review, but I hope it gives you all the details my friends asked me or what I originally wondered about my beloved Nomad 8 traveling slow cooker since 2019. I have gifted the 8 quart to many brides and friends, who all fallen in love with it too.Pros:Still going strong for over 4 years since purchased on Presto's Amazon site. I took a chance on it after seeing one online as there weren't many reviews on a crazy slow cooker that is in a cooler 😀. It's heavily used, as I have toted it all over, basically put it through many potential leaks; still going strong as a cooker and doesn't spill or leak in transit. Trust me, I'm always late and even if you drive like a bouncy Baja desert racer like me; it will NOT leak if the handle is up & locked. Over the last 40 years, I have had several traditional slow cookers that were inconsistent in heating, burning food, this slow cooker has been as I expected for cooking temp. I've stopped using my traditional slow cookers since getting this one.I've taken it to a regular monthly potlucks since 2019, host has minimal plugs to use. I've unplugged and food is impressively holding temp 2 hours later. A nice bonus to the metal pot insert, I can place food in the oven to quick cook, then put it into the slow cooker sleeve to keep it warm at my functions. I haven't tried cooking over 350 degrees or broiling, just playing it safe. If you just want to take it without cooking in it, Presto had recommended in an Amazon review, to have the insert in to warm it, because it may get too hot. I warm the carry shell by either plugging it on high into my Bronco for the drive or with my food in it for about 15 min before leaving home. The actual cooker, doesn't get very hot on the outside when plugged in.Excellent lid design features: Locking lid handle compactly folds all the way to the side like a cooler. Lid, it flips up for people to serve and stays on the unit so the guest isn't fumbling with it. Guests close it more often, than traditional; they aren't fighting to a spot to sit the awkward old style slow cooker lids, bonus for heat retention.The plug cord is a decent length at about 36" measured for this review.I prefer the 8 quart size over 6 quart as the inner non stick pot is simply taller than the 6 quart. So even if your receipe is for a smaller slow cooker, because of this design. I like minimal appliances because of my storage, so you can use the 8 quart, saving you from having several large slow cookers to store.I like the white board to write your dish name on it; helps folks with allergies too. A normal dollar store dry erase pen fits into the holder. Every now and then, it needs a magic eraser to clean up the ghost writing.I like the straightforward knob to know its on and temp. Tech challenged hubby will use this over my pressure cooker all in one, every time. All other brands with the lights just fade after awhile and you can't see them anyway.Cons, 2 are not deal breakers, 1 could be:Love the concept of retracting the plug/cord into the unit for transport or storage. However, the cord fights the hidden storage area, starts off pretty decent, but then when you have about 8" that still need to go in & doesn't really go inside well at all. I just snap the plug into place anyway, at least it isn't tripping me walking, so it's not a deal breaker.It's easy to forget the spoon holder and hosts throw it away. I finally found a replacement 2 years later (11-2023) on Presto's website www.gopresto.com So that isn't a deal breaker either, replacement decently priced, shipping wasn't too bad on GoPresto 11/11/23.2023 new deal breaker? I was REALLY surprised how the price jumped since 2019 59.93 to 89.90 on Amazon. A lot of people will not "splurge", thinking I won't spend that much on a slow cooker I can buy under $30 at a box store or it may be just a novelty that doesn't work well. Sadly, I'm concerned, this awesome leakproof, easy to run, great slow cooker will likely fade into the sunset.Hopefully if you have read this review this far, you can find a good seasonal sale or Black Friday pricing by Presto.

One of my favorite things for potlucks

Love the item, not the colors. Convenient and lightweight. Would highly recommend