This unit is very versatile. I just received it and have used a couple times. It heats well, has lots of options for time specific cooking, or slow cooking or several other uses, steaming etc...
I like the cooking vessel being coated metal vs heavy ceramic. It might not hold the heat like the ceramic but it is much lighter and also won't crack like my old unit. It lasted a long time but the heat to cold etc... finally cracked the ceramic vessel. This baby is a winner so far and will get a lot of use this fall and winter.