THE HAMMACHER SCHLEMMER INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES THE BEST SLOW COOKER.

New York, NY, September 1st, 2008 - Hammacher Schlemmer announces the selection of The Best Slow Cooker chosen over other models in tests by the Hammacher Schlemmer Institute for the quality of food it produced, ease of use, temperature accuracy, and safety features.

The Hammacher Schlemmer Institute is a not-for-profit corporation established in 1983 to research, test, and rate products objectively and without commercial bias. After extensive side-by-side comparison testing of leading products within a specific category, the Institute awards the coveted "Best" title to the model that outperforms all other candidates.

The Best Slow Cooker received a perfect score for quality of food; corned beef was tender and juicy and potatoes and carrots were fully cooked yet retained good texture, while lesser models produced overcooked, dry meat and soggy vegetables.

The Best Slow Cooker simmered beef stew to 150º F after 2½ hours, unlike other models that registered only 137º F--3º F below the minimum internal temperature recommended by the USDA

"The Best Slow Cooker maintained a consistent temperature that thoroughly cooked food, while maintaining optimal succulence," said Jessica Romaniuk, Product Research Coordinator. "Some of the competing models had hot and cold spots that yielded inconsistent results."

You can select one of five cooking settings with the turn of a dial and a warming mode automatically activates when the preprogrammed cooking time is achieved, ensuring food doesn't overcook yet remains at the optimal serving temperature for up to four hours.

Unlike lesser models with vague instruction manuals and complicated interfaces, the Best Slow Cooker has a detailed, easy-to-follow set-up guide and the control panel was the easiest to navigate of all the tested slow cookers. The Best Slow Cooker has a 7-qt. ceramic pot that accommodates up to 10 servings of stew. It is available from Hammacher Schlemmer for $129.95. For more information, please visit www.hammacher.com or call 1-800-543-3366.

About Hammacher Schlemmer
Hammacher Schlemmer is America's longest running catalog, offering the Best, the Only, and the Unexpected since 1848. The company provides unique products that solve problems or represent the only one of their kind, and backs its products by a rather famous Lifetime Guarantee of Complete Satisfaction. Hammacher Schlemmer's innovative offerings are available through its catalog, online at www.hammacher.com, and at its landmark store on East 57th Street in New York City.