~~ My New Slow Cooker: Rival 6.5 Quart Crock Pot ~~

My old slow cooker had a non-removable stoneware which was driving me crazy so I purchased a Rival 6.5 Quart Crock Pot.

The Product
The Rival 6.5 Quart Crock Pot is an oval shaped crock-pot with a removable stoneware. It is said to be ideal for 5-6 people and is said to be perfect for a 6 pound roast or two 3 pound chickens.

Rival States
"Simply place your ingredients in the stoneware and set the temperature! Cooks all day while the cook's away. Slow cooking retains moisture and locks in the natural juices and flavors of your ingredients. Removable stoneware makes serving and clean-up so simple. Plus, the stoneware and lid are dishwasher safe!"

Features
- Removable stoneware for easy serving and clean-up,
- Dishwasher-safe lid and stoneware,
- Easy grasp Sure-Grip handles,
- 6.5 quart capacity,
- Stainless steel exterior,
- Three temperature settings to make any recipe,
- Convenient warm setting to keep food at perfect temperature for serving.

Contact and Miscellaneous Information
- Website = www.crockpot.com
- Made in China

Product information taken from product packaging.

My Experience
I had enough with my old slow cooker. I couldn't stand that it had a non-removable stoneware, which made for difficult cleaning, so I invested in a new, larger slow cooker with a removable stoneware.

The slow cooker isn't new in terms of how to use it. It has a dial on the front with four settings: Off, Low, High, and Warm. I usually use either the Low or the High settings. When the food is cooked, I mostly scoop it into serving bowls or a platter and then unplug the slow cooker, rarely allowing the food to stay longer in the cooker.

I'm not sure if there are still non-removable stoneware slow cookers on the market, but if there are, stay clear of them! They're a nightmare to clean and won't make your life any easier. Now that I have the Rival 6.5 Quart Crock Pot with a removable stoneware, I can reach for the slow cooker without dreading the clean-up work. The removable stoneware is fantastic! It is oval shaped and black, which goes well with the stainless steel exterior. The stoneware is and the lid are dishwasher safe, but after using the slow cooker, I just soak the stoneware overnight and then wash it in the morning. I like that there's a bit of a handle to the stoneware, which makes for easier handling. However, I do find that the stoneware is a bit heavy (empty) and only gets heavier when it's full of food.

The 6.5 quart size is huge for two people, but I like it because I can cook a full size chicken (or two small chickens) inside without having to worry about if it will fit or not. I can also throw in vegetables along with the meat without worries of running out of room in the slow cooker. The glass lid is helpful during the cooking process as it allows me to view the food as it's cooking without opening up the slow cooker and releasing all the heat.

The stainless steel exterior makes the slow cooker look sleek and contemporary. However the exterior does get a bit hot during use. It's not scorching hot, but it's hot enough that I try to avoid touching the exterior while the slow cooker is in use. The handles on the exterior are cool and I use the handles if I need to move the slow cooker. The stainless steel exterior is also a bit difficult to clean if foods from the slow cooker bubble over or dribble down the cooker. I've cleaned it with warm water, soap, and a soft sponge but it requires a lot more scrubbing if I've let it set.

I'm pleased with the Rival 6.5 Quart Crock Pot. It's a good size slow cooker that works well and looks contemporary.

Overall Thoughts
The Rival 6.5 Quart Crock Pot is a good cooking tool to add to your kitchen.

Thanks for reading.
Pooks
Copyright 2007