Rival Oval Crock-Pot Owner's Manual

Oval Slow Cooker

The Original and America’s #1 Brand of Slow Cookers

Owner’s Guide

READ AND SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Visit our website at www.crockpot.com

-E2-

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS

When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed,
including the following:

1. Read all instructions before using.

2. Do not touch hot surfaces. Use handles or knobs.

3. To protect against electrical shock, do not immerse cord, plugs, or cooking unit in
water or other liquid. CAUTION: Never submerge heating unit in water or
other liquid.

4. Close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used by or near children.

5. Allow to cool before putting on or taking off parts. Unplug from outlet when not in
use and before cleaning.

6. Do not operate any appliance with a damaged cord or plug, or after the appliance
malfunctions or has been damaged in any manner. Return appliance to Rival

®

(see warranty) for examination, repair, or adjustment.

7. The use of accessory attachments not recommended by the manufacturer may
cause fire, electrical shock or injury.

8. Do not use outdoors.

9. Do not let cord hang over edge of table or counter, or touch heated surfaces.

10. Do not place on or near a hot gas or electric burner, or in a heated oven.

11. Extreme caution must be used when moving an appliance containing hot oil or
other hot liquids. Always use hot pads when moving your heated Crock-Pot

®

slow cooker.

12. Do not use appliance for other than intended use.

13. Avoid sudden temperature changes, such as adding refrigerated foods into a
heated pot.

14 To disconnect, turn to off, then remove plug from outlet.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Some countertops, especially the Corian

®

brand, and other

surfaces, are not designed to withstand the slow heat generated by your Crock-Pot

®

brand slow cooker. On such surfaces we recommend the use of a heat-resistant pad or
trivet. Rival®is not liable for any damage caused to such surfaces.

This appliance is for HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY. No user-serviceable parts inside. Power Unit never
needs lubrication. Do not attempt to service this product. Do not immerse base in water or other
liquid. A short power-supply cord is provided to reduce the hazards resulting from entanglement
or tripping over a longer cord. AN EXTENSION CORD MAY BE USED WITH CARE; HOWEVER,

THE MARKED ELECTRICAL RATING SHOULD BE AT LEAST AS GREAT AS THE ELECTRICAL
RATING OF THE CROCK-POT

drape over the counter or tabletop where it can be pulled on by children or tripped over.

NOTE: During initial use of this appliance, some slight smoke and/or odor may be detected.

This is normal with many heating appliances and will not recur after a few uses.

MPORTANT NOTE: During initial use of this appliance, some slight smoke and/or
odor may be detected. This is normal with many heating appliances and will not recur
after a few uses.

1. Vegetables should be thinly sliced and placed near sides or bottom of the

2. Trim fats and wipe meats well. Season with salt and pepper. Place in cooker on top

3. For roasts and stews, pour liquid over meat. Use no more liquid than specified in

4. Always cook with cover on, for recommended times.

5. Unplug when cooking is done or before cleaning. Always use hot pads when lifting

CAUTION: Always place protective padding under bowl before setting on a table or
countertop.

POLARIZED PLUG

This appliance has a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other). As a

safety feature, this plug will fit in a polarized outlet only one way. If the

plug does not fit fully in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit,

contact a qualified electrician. Do not attempt to defeat this safety feature.

This appliance is for HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY. No user-serviceable parts inside. Power Unit never
needs lubrication. Do not attempt to service this product. Do not immerse base in water or other
liquid. A short power-supply cord is provided to reduce the hazards resulting from entanglement
or tripping over a longer cord. AN EXTENSION CORD MAY BE USED WITH CARE; HOWEVER,

THE MARKED ELECTRICAL RATING SHOULD BE AT LEAST AS GREAT AS THE ELECTRICAL
RATING OF THE CROCK-POT

®

SLOW COOKER. The extension cord should not be allowed to

drape over the counter or tabletop where it can be pulled on by children or tripped over.

NOTE: During initial use of this appliance, some slight smoke and/or odor may be detected.

This is normal with many heating appliances and will not recur after a few uses.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

-E3-

HOW TO USE YOUR CROCK-POT®SLOW COOKER

MPORTANT NOTE: During initial use of this appliance, some slight smoke and/or
odor may be detected. This is normal with many heating appliances and will not recur
after a few uses.

1. Vegetables should be thinly sliced and placed near sides or bottom of the

stoneware. Meats generally cook faster than most vegetables.

2. Trim fats and wipe meats well. Season with salt and pepper. Place in cooker on top

of vegetables.

3. For roasts and stews, pour liquid over meat. Use no more liquid than specified in

the recipe. Why? Because in slow cooking, more juices in meats and vegetables are
retained than in conventional cooking.

4. Always cook with cover on, for recommended times.

5. Unplug when cooking is done or before cleaning. Always use hot pads when lifting

the Crock-Pot®slow cooker or removing the stoneware for serving.

CAUTION: Always place protective padding under bowl before setting on a table or
countertop.

recipe. Cover the beans with 3 times their volume of unsalted water and bring to a
boil. Boil 10 minutes. Discard water after boiling.

Beans must be softened completely before combining with sugar and/or acid foods.
(NOTE: Sugar and acid have a hardening effect on beans and will prevent soften-
ing.) After boiling beans 10 minutes, reduce heat, cover and allow to simmer 1
hours or until beans are tender. Soaking in water, if desired, should be completed
before boiling. Discard water after soaking or boiling.

• Do not use cooker for thawing or cooking frozen meats (such as chicken or roasts)
unless you first add at least 1 cup of warm liquid. The liquid will act as a “cushion”
to prevent sudden changes in temperature. Cook recipes containing frozen meats
an additional 4 to 6 hours on LOW or 2 hours on HIGH.

• Do not set heating unit filled with food on a finished wood table.

Q
A

Q
A

Q
A

Q
A

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR CROCK-POT®SLOW COOKER

CAUTION: Always unplug unit before cleaning. Never submerge heating unit in water.
REMOVABLE STONEWARE:

• The removable stoneware goes safely into the dishwasher, or may be washed in hot
soapy water as soon as possible after emptying. Do not use abrasive cleaning
compounds – a cloth, sponge or rubber spatula will usually remove the residue.
To remove water spots and other stains, use a non-abrasive cleaner (Bon Ami

®

Polishing Cleanser) or vinegar.

• The outside case may be cleaned with a soft cloth and warm soapy water.
Wipe dry. Do not use abrasive cleaners.

• The lid and stoneware may be washed in the dishwasher.

CARE OF YOUR STONEWARE IN YOUR CROCK-POT®SLOW COOKER

As with any fine ceramic, the stoneware bowl of your Crock-Pot

®

slow cooker will not

withstand the shock of sudden temperature changes.

• Frozen foods such as vegetables and shrimp may be used as part of a recipe.
However, do not thaw or cook large frozen foods such as roasts and chicken unless
you first add at least 1 cup of liquid. See hints below.

• If the stoneware has been preheated or is hot to the touch, do not put in cold
foods. Do not preheat the slow cooker before using unless specified in recipe. The
slow cooker should be at room temperature before adding hot foods.

•To wash your stoneware right after cooking, use hot water. Do not pour in cold
water if the stoneware is hot.

• Do not put lid in Microwave.

• Removable stoneware bowls are ovenproof and microwave safe. Do not use remov­able stoneware bowl on gas or electric burner or under broiler.

HINTS

• Do not use the Crock-Pot®slow cooker for storage of foods. Do not reheat foods in
the Crock-Pot®slow cooker.

• There are two temperature settings. LOW is recommended for slow “all-day”
cooking. One hour on HIGH equals about 2 to 21⁄

2 hours on LOW.

• Use whole leaf herbs and spices for best flavor for all-day cooking. If ground herbs
and spices are used, stir in during last hour.

• Because there is no direct heat at the bottom, always fill stoneware at least half full
to conform to recommended times. Small quantities may be prepared but cooking
time will be affected.

•Aspecific liquid called for in a recipe may be substituted if an equal quantity is used
(such as substituting a 10

3

⁄

4 ounce can of soup plus 4 ounces of water for a 14

1

⁄

2

ounce can of tomatoes OR

1

⁄2 cup beef or chicken broth for

1

⁄2 cup of wine.)

• Dried beans, especially red kidney beans, should be boiled before adding to a

-E4-

-E5-

recipe. Cover the beans with 3 times their volume of unsalted water and bring to a
boil. Boil 10 minutes. Discard water after boiling.

Beans must be softened completely before combining with sugar and/or acid foods.
(NOTE: Sugar and acid have a hardening effect on beans and will prevent soften­ing.) After boiling beans 10 minutes, reduce heat, cover and allow to simmer 1

1

⁄2
hours or until beans are tender. Soaking in water, if desired, should be completed
before boiling. Discard water after soaking or boiling.

• Do not use cooker for thawing or cooking frozen meats (such as chicken or roasts)
unless you first add at least 1 cup of warm liquid. The liquid will act as a “cushion”
to prevent sudden changes in temperature. Cook recipes containing frozen meats
an additional 4 to 6 hours on LOW or 2 hours on HIGH.

• Do not set heating unit filled with food on a finished wood table.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q

“What if the food isn’t done after 8 hours…when the recipe says
8 to 10 hours?”

A

This is due to voltage variations which are commonplace everywhere; altitude; or
even extreme humidity. The slight fluctuations in power do not have a notice­able effect on most appliances; however, it can slightly alter the cooking times.
Allow plenty of time, and remember, it is practically impossible to overcook. You
will learn through experience whether to decrease or increase cooking times.

Q

“Must the Crock-Pot®slow cooker be covered? Is it necessary to stir?”

A

Cook with the cover on. The slow cooker will not recover heat losses quickly
when cooking on LOW setting. Significant amounts of heat escape whenever
the lid is removed; therefore the cooking time must be extended. Avoid frequent
removal of the cover for checking cooking progress or stirring. Never remove
cover during the first 2 hours when baking breads or cakes.
It is not necessary to stir while cooking on LOW heat. While using HIGH heat for
short periods, occasional stirring improves the distribution of flavors.

Q

“How about thickening the juices or making gravy?”

A

Add some quick-cooking tapioca to any recipe when you want to make a thick
gravy. Add the tapioca at the beginning and it will thicken as it cooks! Or you
may remove the solid foods, leaving the juices. Prepare a smooth paste of
approximately1⁄2 cup flour or cornstarch to 1⁄2 cup water or 4 tablespoons melted
butter. Pour mixture into liquid in stoneware and stir well. Turn to HIGH and
when it comes to a boil (about 15 minutes) it’s ready.

Q

“Can I cook a roast without adding water?”

A

Yes – if cooked on LOW. We recommend a small amount because the gravies
are especially tasty. The more fat or “marbling” the meat has, the less liquid you
need. The liquid is needed to properly soften and cook vegetables.