Creating simple cheap meals for you or your family with the Rival Crockpot is a wise choice. Not only are your saving time by preparing slow cooker meals but you also saving money.

That was the easy choice. Now the hard part can be trying to determine what crockpot to buy. With the varieties of shapes, sizes, brand and colors one can easily become overwhelmed.

Which one is the best, what size do I need and how durable is this particular model are common questions you need to ask yourself when preparing for a crockpot purchase.

Here are a few tips to consider as you research with crock pot is best for you:

• Focus on the special features and research those crockpots that are best suited to your needs or preference.

• For family meals, oval crock pots are preferred as they hold the larger whole chickens or roasts better that the round ones.

• Make sure the removal inserts are easy to clean

I have found that the Rival CrockPot is an outstanding product. I have had mine for many years and it gets more use than my oven most of the time. One cool thing about Rival is the company has master the slow cooker options and features.

You can chose from manual slow cookers, programmable slow cookers, cook and carry slow cookers with travel bags and optional locking lids and my favorite entertaining slow cookers. Let me break each one of these optional features down to assist you in making the choice best suited to your needs.

• Manual slow cookers have two or three heat settings, stoneware that is dishwasher safe and glass lids.

• Programmable slow cookers offer one-touch control with time and temperature settings.

• Cook and Carry slow cookers are the best choice for meals on the go with locking lids, travel bags and carrying handles.

Rival Crockpot Products

• 3 quart - 3.5 quart - serves 3 to 4 people
  available in both round and oval shape
  manual low or high setting but some models include the manual warm setting
  optional colors and patterns available
  Prices range from $19.99 to $29.99

• 4 quart - 4.5 quart - serves 4 to 5 people
  available in both round and oval shape
  manual low or high setting but some models include the manual warm setting
  optional colors and patterns available
  Prices range from $24.99 to $29.99

• 5 quart - 5.5 quart - serves 5 to 6 people
  available in both round and oval shape
  manual warm-low-high temperature settings
  programmable models are available
  cook and carry models are available
  optional colors and patterns available
  some models include a free slow cooker little dipper
  Prices range from $29.99 to $34.99

• 6 quart - 6.5 quart - serves 6 to 8 people
  available in both round and oval shape
  manual warm-low-high temperature settings
  programmable models are available
  cook and carry models are available
  optional colors and patterns available
  optional locking lids models
  some models include a free slow cooker little dipper
  Prices range from $19.99 to $44.99

• 7 quart - serves 9+ people
  available in oval shape
  manual warm-low-high temperature settings
  programmable models are available
  cook and carry models are available
  optional colors and patterns available
  some models include a travel bag
  Prices range from $29.99 to $45.00

Rival Crockpots For Entertaining

• 7.5 quart (3 - 2.5 quart pots in one unit) - Trio Cook & Serve
  serves 9+ people
  Great for entertaining and these are 3 separate removable round pots
  Price $99.99

• 2 16oz compartments - Crock-Pot Double Dipper
  removable dividable stoneware allowing for warming of 2 items at once
  warms dips and sauces
  Price $24.99

Hamilton Beach Crock Pots - the affordable option for the budget minded consumer

Offers stay or go slow cookers, programmable slow cookers, 3 in 1 slow cookers, the Party Crock Cook-set as well as the manual slow cooker models with various quart sizes and colors.
Price Range - $29.99 to $79.00

All-Clad Electric Slow Cooker
6.5 quart capacity - oval shaped
26-hour programmable timer
glass lid - stainless steel exterior
designed to compliment any All-Clad cookware collection
Price Range $169.00 to $199.00

Proctor Silex Slow Cookers - a great budget buy product. Available in 1.5 quart, 3 quart and 4 quart models. Adjustable heat and keep warm settings.Removable stoneware and lid that are dishwasher safe.
Price Range - $14.99 to $26.99

West Bend Crockery Cookers and Slow Cookers

• The West Bend Crockery Cooker is available in 4 quart and 6 quart sizes with warm-low-high temperature settings. Oval shape to hold more food and stay cool plastic handles.                               Price Range- $34.99 to $47.99

• The West Bend Slow Cookers are pretty darn cool. They are available in 5 and 6 quart with oval shape. The cooking pot is versatile, it goes from the heating/serving base to stovetop, oven, refridgerator, freezer or dishwasher. Also has a lift out roasting rack and glass lid.
  Price Range $59.99 to $70.99

As you can see with a little bit of research you can find the perfect crock pot slow cooker taylored to your lifestyle.