My Cooking Skills Continue With Our Rival Crock-Pot 3040BC

I am proud to say 2003 is the year my repressed cooking skills blossom. Always too afraid of burning everything or not following a meal correctly, my husband does a lot of the creative cooking -me, I resigned myself to being the "freezer" queen. Now that my son is almost 3, I thought it about time I try my hand at family meals.

I am now a firm believer in the right appliance can make all of the difference. I have already been pleased with my ability to make perfect cookies with my AirBake CushionAir Insulated Baking Sheets . Now I have even approached crock pot meals - thanks to my Rival Crock-Pot 3040BC and some good suggestions from a wonderful group of on-line friends. I always thought there was some "secret" to using a crock pot - the concept that you just toss some food items in there and leave seemed somehow "cheating" to me. But now I've done it, and I don't plan to go back.

Our Rival Crock-Pot 3040BC

It is very simply designed - my sister in law picked this up for us at Target for around $30. The 3040 is the model number and comes in the 4 quart size - there are similar ones with a plain white design, and others with flower patterns and so forth. Our model states BC to indicate that it is the Black and Chrome version. I actually do not prefer this version - but my husband has this thing about a Chrome kitchen (don't ask, we don't have one, it's white, but he keeps trying to convert it and I won't let him - I think this was payback!). Though it may show stains and wear less, #1 it doesn't match in my kitchen and #2 the Chrome outside gets hot!

This crock pot could not get any easier. It has a black stoneware insert, and the base again is chrome with black handles. A clear lid with knob top completes the look. There is a cord on the back to plug into an outlet. On the front is a knob with 3 choices Off, Low, and High.

Practically idiot-proof!

Rivals claims (taken from Amazon/Target.com):

"¥ 4-qt. removable stoneware interior
¥ Stick-resistant coating
¥ 2 heat settings
¥ Stoneware interior doubles as serving dish

Product Description
This 4-qt. Rival crock-pot has a sleek, updated new look. Cooker has brushed
metal exterior with black handles and knobs, and a removable black stoneware
interior that doubles as a serving dish. It's great for making soups, stews,
meats and other meals for up to 4 people. Stick-resistant coating rinses
clean. Glass lid has black knob. Two heat settings. Limited manufacturer's
warranties: lifetime on nonstick coating; 1-yr. on cooker. No. 3040 BC.
Imported. 9Hx9" dia.

¥ Item Weight: 10.0 pounds"


Cooking In The Rival Crock-Pot 3040BC

For this family of 3, one being a toddler, 4 quarts is more than enough food. We have made both chicken dishes and chili, and always had leftovers. Really, we just dump in all of the ingredients, turn to Low, and go. What stresses me out is there is no indication that the things is cooking. I need a light, or something, that tells me the things is on - don't ask why. I usually have to check it after about 20 minutes and feel the outside for warmth and check for condensation on the lid. Also, this model does not have any neat programmable controls (which I only know about because I bought a crock pot for my Mom this past holiday). As far as basic cooking, the Rival Crock-Pot 3040BC is it.

Food always tastes tender, cooks well within the time frame. Most importantly, it is a breeze to clean. The stoneware insert just gets soaked and then brushed off with a soapy sponge and water. The outside base simply cools down and then is stored, for us, on top of the fridge. Ready for its next meal - what a breeze!

Recommendation and Notes

I think this model is a good introduction to crock pots. Anything more complicated probably would have scared me off. I think we will be getting this model for my brother and his girlfriend this coming holiday, as it will make a good basic piece in their new and small kitchen. We certainly plan to get our use out of it, with a probability that we will upgrade once this one dies. The Rival Crock-Pot 3040BC has become a wonderful addition to this family's cooking needs!

While searching on-line for information on this model I did find something I felt interesting. Since we threw away the manual, I did find that a site offers a listing of different model's instructions and precautions - which I found a wonderful help! Here is the one for this particular model:

http://www.crockpot.com/support_files/3040manual.html

How neat is that?!

*Note - We own a good many Rival products, and except for 1 electric can opener fiasco, have had wonderful success with them - who says you need to spend hundreds of dollars on a kitchen appliance?