Let’s be real for a second. We’ve all bought something because it looked stunning on a kitchen counter, only to realize two weeks later that it’s basically a high-end paperweight. It’s a classic trap. When the Beautiful by Drew slow cooker first landed at Walmart, the skepticism was thick enough to cut with a bread knife. Drew Barrymore is a literal ray of sunshine, but does she know how to build a heating element that won't die after three pot roasts?
Most people just call it the Drew Barrymore crockpot. Honestly, "crockpot" is one of those brand names like Kleenex—everyone uses it even if the box says tissue. In this case, the box says "Beautiful," and for once, the marketing team wasn't exaggerating. The matte finish and those signature gold accents are a massive departure from the clunky, chrome-and-plastic eyesores our parents kept in the back of the pantry. But aesthetics are easy. Performance is where the wheels usually fall off for celebrity-backed kitchenware.
What’s Actually Under the Hood?
If you're looking for a machine that can launch a rocket, this isn't it. It’s a slow cooker. It heats things up slowly. That’s the job. However, there’s a nuance to how the Beautiful by Drew slow cooker handles heat that sets it apart from the $20 bargain bin models.
Standard cheap slow cookers often have two settings: "Simmer" and "Surface of the Sun." I've burnt more chilis in "Low" settings of off-brand cookers than I care to admit. The Beautiful line uses a 6-quart capacity, which is sort of the "Goldilocks" zone for families. You can fit a whole chicken in there without performing surgery on the bird first.
One thing that’s genuinely impressive is the digital interface. It’s capacitive touch. When it’s off, the screen basically disappears into the housing. It’s sleek. You’ve got your standard High, Low, and Warm settings, but the timer is what actually matters. It counts down and then automatically flips to "Warm."
Why does that matter?
Because life happens. You get stuck in traffic. Your kid’s soccer practice runs late. A slow cooker that doesn't have an auto-warm feature is just a food-poisoning hazard waiting to happen. The Beautiful model handles that transition smoothly.
The Pot and Lid Situation
The ceramic insert is heavy. That’s a good sign. Lightweight ceramic usually means thin walls and hot spots. This one feels substantial, and it’s dishwasher safe, though honestly, I’d recommend hand-washing it if you want the finish to last five years instead of two.
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The lid is tempered glass with a silicone rim. That’s a small detail that makes a massive difference. Traditional metal-rimmed lids rattle. They clatter when the steam builds up, and they let a lot of moisture escape. The silicone seal on the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore line is surprisingly tight. It keeps the moisture in the pot, which is basically the entire point of slow cooking. If your beef stew comes out dry, you’ve failed at the one job you had. This lid helps prevent that failure.
Why Some People Hate It (and Why They’re Sorta Right)
No product is perfect. To suggest otherwise would be lying to you.
The most common complaint you’ll see in user forums and long-term reviews is about the exterior finish. It’s beautiful, yes. But it’s also prone to scuffing. If you slide it across a granite countertop or bang it against a cast-iron skillet, it’s going to show. It’s a "showpiece" appliance. If you’re the type of person who treats their kitchen gear like a heavy-duty mechanic treats a wrench, you might be disappointed by how quickly the matte finish loses its luster.
Then there’s the gold handle. It’s plastic. It looks like brushed metal in the photos, but once you get your hands on it, you realize it’s coated plastic. It’s sturdy enough for daily use, but it doesn’t have that "heirloom" feel of a Le Creuset. But then again, you aren't paying $400 for it. You're paying Walmart prices.
Does it run too hot?
This is the big debate in the slow cooking world. Modern FDA regulations require slow cookers to reach certain temperatures faster than the models from the 1970s did to prevent bacteria growth. Consequently, "Low" on a modern Beautiful by Drew slow cooker is often hotter than "High" was on your grandma's Rival Crock-Pot.
If you follow a vintage recipe that calls for 8 hours on low, you might find your food done in 6. This isn't a defect of the Beautiful brand specifically—it’s an industry-wide shift—but it’s something you have to account for. You have to learn your machine.
Comparing the Beautiful Slow Cooker to the Competition
When you put this up against a standard Hamilton Beach or a Ninja Foodi, the differences are mostly about intent.
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- Hamilton Beach: It’s the workhorse. It’s ugly. It works. It costs less. It’s for the person who hides their appliances in a cabinet.
- Ninja/Instant Pot: These are multi-cookers. They do everything. But they are complicated. Sometimes you don't want a pressurized lid and 14 buttons. Sometimes you just want to throw a pot roast in and walk away.
- Beautiful by Drew: This is for the person who lives in a smaller space or has an open-concept kitchen where everything is on display. It’s functional art.
It’s worth noting that the Beautiful line is produced in partnership with Made by Gather. These are the same people behind brands like Crux and Bella. They know how to manufacture at scale. They aren't just slapping a celebrity name on a generic white-label product; they designed this from the ground up to fit a specific aesthetic language.
Real World Usage: The Pot Roast Test
I’ve seen this machine put through the ringer. A standard 4-pound chuck roast with potatoes, carrots, and onions. No searing beforehand (even though you really should sear your meat, let’s be honest, most slow-cooker users are looking for a "dump and go" experience).
After 8 hours on Low, the results were consistent. The meat was fork-tender. The vegetables weren't mush. The liquid hadn't evaporated into a salty sludge.
The heat distribution seems even. One of the tell-tale signs of a cheap heating element is a "hot side" where the food burns against the ceramic on one side while staying cool on the other. I didn't see that here. The wrap-around heating element does its job.
Addressing the "Celebrity Tax"
Is there a celebrity tax on the Beautiful by Drew slow cooker? Surprisingly, not really.
Usually, when a celebrity attaches their name to a product, the price jumps 30%. But because this is a Walmart-exclusive partnership, the price point stays remarkably competitive. You can often find the 6-quart programmable model for around $50. That’s almost exactly what you’d pay for a comparable digital slow cooker from a "boring" brand.
You're getting the design upgrade essentially for free.
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Maintenance and Longevity
If you want this thing to last, you have to be careful with the touch screen. It’s sensitive. If you spill hot oil or boiling water directly onto the interface, it can act up. Wipe it down with a damp—not soaking—cloth.
Also, the "off-gassing" smell. Almost every new slow cooker has a weird, metallic smell the first time you turn it on. It’s the manufacturing oils burning off the heating element. People freak out and think the house is on fire. It’s normal. Run the cooker with just water on High for two hours before you ever put food in it. That’ll clear the scent and save your first meal from tasting like a factory floor.
Is It a Good Gift?
Actually, yes. It’s one of the few kitchen appliances that doesn't feel like a "chore" gift. Because it looks like a piece of decor, it’s a popular choice for weddings or housewarmings. The packaging is even designed to look premium.
But if you're buying it for someone who cooks for a crowd of 10 people every Sunday, 6 quarts might be tight. You'd be better off looking for an 8-quart monster. This is the "standard family of four" size.
Practical Next Steps for New Owners
If you've just unboxed your Beautiful slow cooker or you're about to hit "add to cart," here is how to get the most out of it without ruining the finish or the food:
- The Water Test: Fill it halfway with water and run it on High for 2-3 hours. This burns off the "new car smell" and lets you check if the unit has any immediate defects before you waste $20 on a roast.
- Avoid Abrasives: Do not use steel wool on the ceramic insert. It creates micro-scratches that make food stick worse over time. If you have burnt-on cheese, soak it in warm soapy water for an hour. It’ll slide right off.
- Protect the Matte: When storing it, don't stack other pots on top of the lid or the housing. The matte finish is the main selling point, and it’s the most fragile part of the exterior.
- Mind the "Warm" Setting: Don't leave food on the "Warm" setting for more than 4 hours. It’ll start to dry out the edges of the dish and can eventually lead to a mushy texture that nobody wants.
- Liquid Levels: Because the silicone seal is so good, you actually need less liquid than you think. If a recipe calls for two cups of broth, try one and a half. The machine will create its own moisture through condensation.
The Beautiful by Drew slow cooker is a rare instance where the product actually lives up to the aesthetic hype. It isn't a professional-grade sous-vide machine, and it isn't a heavy-duty industrial cooker. It’s a reliable, gorgeous tool for people who want their kitchen to look as good as their food tastes. As long as you treat the finish with a little bit of respect, it’ll likely become the most-used item on your counter.