Rival Crock Pot - Slow Cooker 6-Quart 6030 Review

I'm a man who loves his comfort foods.  Raised in the Northeast, the aroma of stew permeating the house on a cold winter day is my idea of comfort.  So strong is this association, that just one whiff of this aroma puts me in the zone.  You've been there haven't you?  You've been in the zone.

My Experience

So several years ago when I found myself "suddenly single" after a long and sometimes satisfying marriage I came to realize that a house is not necessarily a home without the aromas associated with family-life.  For me, this meant family-style cooking.  Living alone (well with my Basset Hound Sam), I was busy.  Who had time for all day cooking marathons and besides who would eat them?

That's when I discovered the virtues of Rival's 6 Quart Slow Cooker.  A gift from my friends Dick and Donna I wasted little time trying this baby out.  I could put up a pot of coffee first thing in the morning and while it brewed I could throw some cubed stew beef, carrots, potatoes, onions, a little wine and some beef boullion into my slow cooker.  I'd add a little salt, pepper and garlic and set the pot on low.  Cover the pot and I was good to go.

By the time I returned home in the early evening, I had a perfect stew waiting for me and the aromas I craved.  My Bassett Hound Sam would meet me at the front door already slobbering.  Sam liked his comfort food as well and he looked forward to partaking.

So what is it?

Basically, the Rival Slow Cooker is a round metal shell that houses a heating element.  In this shell is a removable ceramic crock pot with a heavy glass lid.  The crock pot and glass top are machine washable.

The heating element has three heat settings, low, high and warm.  Low is ideal for the all-day cook.   High, on the other hand is great on a lazy Sunday afternoon when just as the early football game begins you realize you're in the mood for something substantial for dinner.  Even the high setting is actually a relatively low temperature cook.  On this setting, most dishes will cook for 4-6 hours.  On low cook time can be 6-10 hours.

The shell has handles on either side and is easy to move around.  Be careful though for even the low cooking temperatures heat the shell and ceramic pot to temperatures that can cause a burn.

Most of the dishes you prepare with the slow cooker can be frozen afterwards. so don't be afraid to  make larger portions.  If you live by yourself these frozen leftovers come in very handy. 

 The Rival Slow Cooker is available in several sizes at a wide variety of stores and web-sites for about $30.00.

 I now own five of them.  At least three of them were purchased at flea markets for as little as $5.  What does a happily married guy do with 5 slow cookers?  He makes ridiculously rich soaps of course using the "hot soap process".  but, that will be the subject of a different review.

You can find a great number of books of slow cooker recipes in your local bookshop or library as well as countless web-sites.

You'll find the Rival Slow Cooker to be a very versatile yet basic cooking gadget you'll really enjoy.   And, with any degree of care, it will last a lifetime.

 Maybe next time we can talk about pressure cookers, specifically their use and their effects on the love life of "the suddenly single guy".

Now go cook something good tonight.

Rudi