the Rival crock-pot is really nice. the size is great and i have the white one and it's really pretty and easy to clean. The inside part is stoneware and cooks food easily. I received it as a gift and it was one of the nicest that I received. I've made everything in it. If you are going to make meatball sauce, I would recommend backing the meatballs first and them add them to the sauce. But that is with any crockpot. my Mom has a Crock-pot ans she's had it for twenty years. It still works great. I don't know where my crock-pot was purchased but I know that you can get them at walmart or target...