My last stone heater was a larger turkey roaster. It took hours to heat up the stones. The dial would move and the stones would get too hot and I had to use a thermometer to keep gauging temperature. It broke in less than 6 months as did its replacement. This machine heats the rocks in under a 1/2 hr, to the perfect temperature and holds them there. So easy. Whether the kids on or not. So far I鈥檓 very happy with my purchase.