This is my first crock pot. It's beautiful, easy to use and clean, and I got lots of compliments when I took it to a potluck. Be aware that this crock pot is made of metal. Metal conducts heat. This is not a stay-cool appliance, but it makes no claims in that department either. I haven't had it long, so I don't know about this handle problem, but I don't pick it up and move it when it's full or warm, so that could make a difference too. At the end, I switch it off, and serve right out of it. Once cool, I take out the ceramic and store leftovers. I love that I can &quot;set it and forget it, as Ron Popeil would say, and come home from work with something delicious waiting for me and smelling great. Although the pot has no timer on it, I've used a regular household outlet timer (like you'd use on lights to stump burglars) to get the same effect.