Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I had to retire my 10 year old crockpot after years of regular and semi-abusive use. I am not going to lie I was disappointed when I pulled this flimsy version of my old reliable crockpotout of the box. So my old crockpot was a more upgraded version with a digital clock and digital settings low - high - warm. This one is more basic. I was okay with that idea as to be honest there was a learning curve with my old crockpot (the timer and heat settings never worked perfectly) so I figured simplifying that part wouldn't be an issue. I didn't realize that the entire unit would be more cheaply made. The stoneware portion of the product was good quality as expected, but the heating element and base are seriously lackluster. Is it that expensive to produce quality products anymore?? It must have taken them 10 soda cans worth of material to make the base. The handles are cheap cheap plastic and mine are scratched up just out of the box. My old crockpot lasted 10 years. I would be shocked if this one made it 5 years. I am making a dumpcake as a trial run as I type. ****SERIOUS BURN HAZARD!!!!**** The stainless steel exterior becomes more than a little warm. I touched it with a knuckle and instantly regretted that decision. I had read reviews that said it gets hot, others said it gets hot but that is to be expected. My previous model would get warm, and could maybe burn you if you left your hand on the surface. This one gets HOT. Like you just touched a pot that has been heating on high on the stove hot. I really do not like that. I have children and pets and will have to be careful where I put this unit. It could potentially damage your kitchen if left too close to ANYTHING. This also makes me nervous about setting this crockpot and going somewhere or even when entertaining. One too close anything will be a melted or firey mess. I keep thinking of having hotdog buns near it and how quickly the plastic of one of those bags woukd become a melted mess! Also since the world of crockpots have netoriously short cords where are you suposed to set up this little molten fireball?