Rival 38501W 5 Qt. Programmable Round Crock Pot

Fire and Burn Hazard!!

Strengths: Cooks quickly if that's what you are looking for

Weakness: gets too hot and will even burn your fingers if you touch outside of it, bowl cracked due to heat

I was very excited when my husband gave this crockpot to me as a gift. It is the silver model that just came out this year (2010). However, the first time we used it I ended up burning my hand on the outside of it because it was SO hot. It completely cooks our food in less than 2-3 hours (thankfully I am a stay at home mom or I wouldn't leave it on while I was gone!) and I just noticed today that...

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Rival 38501W 5 Qt. Programmable Round Crock Pot

Strengths: nice looking, ceramic pot interior comes out to store items in fridge or serve on table

Weakness: It cooks TOO hot--doesn't work!

I have tried this over and over, and each time it overcooks my food! After the first 3 times I called the company to complain. They recommended that I either cook it for a shorter period of time (2-4 hours on hot) or add more liquid. I've done both and neither have worked. I have asked friends who have other slow-cookers and they say their cookers do not do that. I can't tell you how frustrating...

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Rival 38501W 5 Qt. Programmable Round Crock Pot

Strengths: It looks nice and is large.

Weakness: The temperature is way too hot.

The thermostat of this cooker is much too hot even at the low setting.Stews and chili burn around the edges.Stay far away from this model.

Rival 38501W 5 Qt. Programmable Round Crock Pot

Strengths: Great looking. The warm setting is neat.

Weakness: The lid is not heavy enough

The lid is not heavy enough to hold the liquid inside the pot. I have burned every meal I have cooked in it. I even tried putting double the amount of liquid that the reciped calls for and it still burns it. The low setting is more like medium so it just boils it out. I tried contacting the company to get and replacement lid and I have heard nothing.

Rival 38501W 5 Qt. Programmable Round Crock Pot

Strengths: It's attractive, the "warm" feature is nice.

Weakness: TOO HOT!

This isn't a crockpot--it's a simmerpot. I've tried all sorts of recipes in the 4 months I've had this, and they all cook way too fast at too high a temperature. I put chicken in just last night before I went to work, and when I got home the meat was so overcooked that it was tasteless. Rival should issue a recall and fix these things!

Rival 38501-W 5 Quart Round Smart-Pot

Strengths: nice write up fooled me

Weakness: way to hot burns everything we attempt to slow cook

Burns meals, over runs the bowls, stains cannot be washed off Because of the heating problem the thing is probably a fire hazard and should not be left alone, certainly not all day. It has ruined virtually every meal we have attempted

Don't waste your Money!!!

Strengths: I like that it is programmable and it is attractive

Weakness: HOT, HOTTER, HOTTEST ......BURNS ALL THE MEALS

This crockpot has ruined every meal I have put in it. What good is a crockpot when you come home from work for dinner and it is burnt. I'm tired of calling for pizza delivery. I am returning this and getting a different brand crockpot!

Cooks waaaayyyyy too hot!!!!

Strengths: The inner pot is removable; makes it easy to clean.

Weakness: Cooks food too hot and too fast.

This thing got so hot that it warped and broke the washer to the handle within a matter of months. We thought it was us so we tried cooking on low/10 hrs. with more liquid and the food was still over cooked and would even boil over. With all the bad reviews I'm finding on this model I'm surprised that they haven't recalled it. I really wish I hadn't gotten ride of our smaller crock.

Rival 38501W 5 Qt. Programmable Round Crock Pot

Strengths: It is so easy to program and is always accurate for timing & temperature. Food never burns or overcooks.

Weakness: It can't be set to warm manually.

I have the 6qt. cooker. The original one I purchased had an electrical problem. The company replaced it immediately. The replacement has worked perfectly. It does brown some at the top level of the food but this can be solved by using a little oil or spray around the top area. This is the best slower cooker I have ever had.

Burn Pot!

Strengths: NONE

Weakness: BURNS EVERYTHING

This crock pot is terrible. Don't waste your money. Even if you disregard the recipe and cook everything on 10 hour / lowest setting, it will burn and dry out your food in just a few hours.