Food is consistently undercooked or overcooked compared to recipe times.

Safety first: Unplug the unit before internal inspection.

• Check inner pot: Ensure you are using the original Hamilton Beach inner pot. Replace it if the bottom is warped or scratched heavily.
• Clean contact surfaces: Clean the heating plate and the bottom of the inner pot to ensure good thermal contact.
• Test with water: Run a test by boiling a measured amount of water on a Sauté or Brown setting and timing how long it takes to reach a rolling boil. If it is significantly slower or faster than expected, the sensor may be off.
• Replace sensor: If cooking is consistently off and other causes are ruled out, replace the bottom temperature sensor (NTC). If the issue persists, the main control PCB may require replacement.