Rival SP100 Smart-Part Module Review

The problem: No matter what they say, some foods DO overcook in a slow cooker. Spaghetti sauce loses its tangy tomato flavor. Soups can scorch. Meats become dry and stringy.
Early slow-cooker owners tried to remedy the situation with lamp timers, meaning one had to leave uncooked ingredients at room temperature until the timer switched on, increasing the danger of bacterial contamination. Slow cookers with a keep-warm setting are useful only if someone is around to turn the knob from High or Low to Keep Warm. Other tricks included freezing the ingredients overnight in the hopes of deliberately slowing down the cooking process.
After 30 years on the market, Rival addressed the problem with the Smart-Pot programmable slow cooker, introduced in 2001. The Smart-Pot's electronic timer features 4 cooking cycles: 4 or 6 hours on High, 8 or 10 hours on Low. At the end of the cooking cycle, the Smart-Pot shifts to Keep Warm until it's switched off.
So, what about all those people who are still using their 10, 20 or even 30-year-old Crock-Pots and other brands of slow cookers? Because of the relatively low cooking temperatures, slow cookers don't burn out like toasters and coffeemakers. Unless the crock breaks, there's little reason to replace a perfectly good slow cooker. Realizing this, Rival packed the brains of the Smart-Pot into the Smart-Part Programmable Module.
The Smart-Part makes any slow cooker (up to 400 watts) a programmable slow cooker. You plug your Crock-Pot into the Smart-Part's electrical outlet, turn the knob on the cooker itself to High and plug the Smart-Part into a wall outlet. Based on the model number, you select one of 3 settings marked A, B or C. If it's a brand other than Rival, use the same setting as a model with a similar capacity and wattage, or start with the C setting and work your way back through B and A if the food seemed overcooked. Punch up the cooking time and you're free to go about your day. At the end of the cooking time, the Smart-Part stays on Keep-Warm until it's turned off.
The Smart-Part Programmable Module is an affordable way to teach your reliable old slow cooker some new tricks.

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Rival Smart-Part-

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Kitchenaid Nonstick Roaster with Fold-down Rack Review

I really liked just be carefull when someone else enter your kitchen and try to help you cleaning the roaster because people don't know how to clean and they can damaged the roaster (already happen to me!) And also the price is not bad.

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Extra-large roaster, 17.5" x 14", holds up to 25 pounds. Its removable, nonstick, floating rack allows for healthy cooking while the unique base allows for easy basting. The double layer reinforced, nonstick coating makes for effortless cleaning.

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Mario Batali 4-Quart Risotto and Saucier Pan, Persimmon Review

I got this pan in penne (ugly yellow, but it's growing on me) while it was deeply discounted. I would have liked to get a 4-6 qt dutch oven from Staub, Le Creuset or even Batali but this was relatively free.

I like the brushed brass look of the knob on the lid better than either the plastic Le Creuset or the chrome Staub. The enamel on the penne seems somewhat matte as opposed to glossy. Some may prefer this but some may think it looks cheap/unfinished. The interior enamel looks like on the Le Creuset (glossy white). One serious complaint I have is that this pan did not sit flat fresh out of the box. For glass top stoves this means uneven heating. For this reason I rated it only two stars on a scale where Le Creuset is 4 and Staub is 5. If it didn't wobble I'd give it 3.5 stars.

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Product Description:
Combining old-world charm with modern-day accents, this 4-quart saucier pan works great for braising meats, poultry, seafood, or vegetables, and, with a greater surface area, it also reduces liquids more rapidly. Its rounded sides facilitate the traditional C-shaped flipping motion, making the pan ideal for rapidly sauteing vegetables or browning small pieces of meat or poultry. The cookware's durable cast-iron construction provides exceptional heat retention, while its porcelain-enamel interior and exterior requires no seasoning, cleans easily, and comes in a variety of classic colors for a beautiful presentation on virtually any dining-room table. Self-basting spikes on the interior of the pan's close-fitting lid ensures continuous, natural basting, and the cast stainless lid knob makes for easy lid removal. Oven-safe up to 500 degrees F and safe for use on gas, electric, and ceramic-top ranges, the pan comes equipped with a long handle plus a helper handle to ensure safe transport to and from the oven. Though dishwasher-safe, washing the pan by hand is recommended for best results, and a booklet with Italian recipes from Mario Batali's cookbook, Molto Italiano, is included. The 4-quart pan measures 19-1/2 by 10 by 6-1/2 inches and carries a limited lifetime warranty.

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Mario Batali 4-Quart Essential Pot, Penne Review

I got this when the price temporarily dropped to $24.99. Compared to a Le Creuset or Staub, it lacks in the aesthetics department with its matte finish. However, it is heavy, attractive and so far I have found the performance good. I have not noticed any problems with crazing. Remember, with enameled cast iron you cannot use high heat or your pan, whoever manufactured it, may develop crazing (my Le Creuset did and now I've learned my lesson). For the money, this pan is well worth the investment.

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Product Description:
We've added new colors and some key pieces to help round out your Italian Kitchen. The new 4 quart essential pot is the perfect vessel soups and sauces.Durable porcelain enamel finish interior and exterior requires not seasoning and cleans easily. Self-basting spikes on the interior to the lid ensure continuous, natural basting and features a cast stainless lid knob. Excellent heat-retention for oven to tabletop use and for all types of ovens and ranges.

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Mario Batali 6-Quart Italian Enamel-on-Cast-Iron Essentials Pot, Persimmon Review

I received this pot for Christmas (but in the Espresso color--BEAUTIFUL) and I absolutely love it!! It provides very even, steady heat and only requires a low flame to keep its heat. The enameled coating is great. It browns beautifully with minimal sticking and the light color allows you to see the fond very well (little brown bits on the bottom of the pan). The braising spikes on the lid are a bonus as well. To my knowledge Le Creuset does not offer those on their pans. I love the size, too. It is very roomy, but not so mammoth that you cringe having to lug the pan out.And the clean up was very easy. I have always wanted a pan like this but could never afford the hefty price tag of the Le Creuset or the Staub. I am so grateful to Mario Batali for coming out with such a wonderful product at such a reasonable price. I am usually skeptical of celebrity cookware, but this one is a true gem. I can't wait to try some of his other cookware.

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Product Description:
Mario Batali6qt porcelain enamel cast iron essentials pot is a traditional and strong material, perfect for low heat cooking. Retains heat better than any material, including stainless steel and aluminum. Equal distribution of heat will eliminate hot spots, allowing you to cook the most delicate dishes. Cast stainless lid knob.16 page cookbook included. Available in persimmon.

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Mario Batali 4-Quart Essential Pot, Persimmon Review

This 4 qt. pot is the right size to use for the No Knead Bread method and without fail the bread comes out crispy on the outside and nice and chewy with big holes on the inside.The lid has "spikes" to help retain moisture, which aids in the crispiness of the crust.It was either Mario Batali's or a Staub for me,but I'm glad I bought this over the Staub because of its everyday value and of course the price.I also use it to boil pasta and to make stews & curries because it retains heat for a long time.The handles do get hot, but if you use Kevlar gloves you should be fine if you do bake bread in it.It also sits beautifully on the stove.Buy it!

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Product Description:
A versatile performer that will be at home in any home, this 4-quart cast iron Essentials Pot in persimmon from Mario Batali is large enough to cook pastas and soups as well as roast cornish game hens and smaller cuts of meat. The pot's cast iron core guarantees even heat distribution, so your food won't burn, and it's been given a colorful durable porcelain enamel coating on both the interior and exterior that will resist stains as well as provide easy clean up. Self-basting spikes are featured on the interior of the lid, which ensures constant natural basting. The heavy lid is accented with a cast stainless steel knob, and it's further complemented by two generously sized looped handles on either side. Safe for gas, electric and ceramic-top ranges. Hand wash only.
Joining forces with Copco, a leading manufacturer of kitchenware products, famed restauranteur, cookbook author and Food Network personality Mario Batali has created The Italian Kitchen--a unique line of cast iron cookware, kitchen tools and serveware. Each item includes new features that modernize traditional cooking tools and are sure to be a help to anyone in the kitchen, from novices to the most seasoned cooks.

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Deni® Digital 5-in-1 Multi Fryer Review

This unit can do everything - it can even bake bread! I wanted this to replace an old multi cooker I had that was very old and I no longer felt comfortable leaving it alone to slow cook.

I was impressed with the large industrial looking unit.I like stainless steel because it is easy to clean and durable.The non-stick surface is a good idea again, for easy clean up. This is a large capacity appliance that will be useful for stews, soups, sauces and other items I like to cook in a larger capacity.

I have only used it once (I've had it a week as of this writing) but it worked very well.I'm satisfied but I do have a couple of concerns.

There are screws holding the handle into the lid, that after only using once, they showed a tendency to rust. I would have thought for the price of the unit and the "industrial appearance", it would be "industrial grade" and stainless steel screws would have been used.

Another concern I have is the non-stick surface of the inner cooking pot.The instructions clearly state not to use metal utensils (we all know that metal utensils can permanently damage a non-stick surface), however the rack and the fry basket are both metal.They will most certainly come in contact with the non-stick surface while in use and, especially the rack, will abrade the surface over time. The ceramic pot in my old unit, while heavy, is still in perfect condition and really wasn't difficult to clean.I would easily trade the ceramic pot for the non-stick.(I have also heard something about Teflon causing cancer).

I received this unit as a gift as a result of being on my Amazon Wish List. I originally placed it on my Wish List because it was "the only Multi-Cooker I could find".There are now other multi-cookers available and at a cheaper price - I would probably lean towards one of those if I had it to do over again.

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Product Description:
Deni Digital 5-in-1 Multi Fryer does everything but clean up the kitchen! SAVE BIG! Kitchen cluttered with countertop appliances? Get rid of 'em! This 1600W wonder deep fries, fries, slow cooks, boils, bakes, sautes, steams, blanches... and thanks to its non-stick cooking pot, clean-up's a snap! And... I got a great deal on these, making them an even better value! Recipe for good eats: Easy touchpad controls with LCD display and function menu; Digital thermostat adjusts from 176 degrees to 375 degrees F; Digital timer up to 9 hrs., 59 mins.; Removable, die-cast, non-stick cooking pot provides even temperature distribution. Holds up to 3 lbs. of food; Chrome-plated fry basket holds up to 3 lbs. and can be raised / lowered without opening lid; Stainless steel lid retains heat and moisture and has a tempered glass window and cool-touch handle; Charcoal and oil microfilters absorb odor, grease and smoke; Steam rack separates food from the boiling water below for true steaming action and also serves as baking and cooling rack; 30" cord; 14" w. x 14 1/4" d. x 10 3/4" h. Weighs approx. 10 lbs. Add this do-it-all wonder to your kitchen... order ONLINE today! Deni Digital 5-in-1 Multi Fryer

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