I bought this as a Christmas present, I chose it for the digital timer because very few models have this feature. I thought the locking lid was a great idea - I was wrong. The instructions say NOT to lock it while cooking. this leaves the lid slightly open which causes the food to dry out. Also the lid doesn't open wide enough to attend to large items like a ham. The pot is very well built and I would buy another Crock Pot, just not this model.