One of the more current developments in Rival crock pot technology and styling is represented by the Rival 5 quart Versaware crock pot, a slow cooker that has been gaining steadily in popularity since its release. Not like the heavier stoneware crocks found in any real slow cookers, this one is made of lightweight Extreme Temperature Cookware (ETC), also called VersaWare, a stoneware so handy it can be used on a stovetop, in an oven, below a broiler, and within a microwave. The lid is also made of ETC, which makes the five-quart pot perfect for storing pre-assembled foods in the freezer or fridge, and baking covered dishware in the oven. The notion is an intriguing one to be sure: a removable stoneware crock liner or insert that you could useover the range to "Sauté, Cook, Serve, Store and Reheat all in one pot!" according to the product sheet. The reality has not been everything the manufacturer's promo material promised, but on the whole the product is solid in more than one way and makes for a refreshing and novel approach to slow cooking.  First, allow me to bring up the product's downside. (sorry for the pun) Sorry, but I have to say that there is no way that this item sautés well; Fair enough, you can put the Versaware liner on top of the range, however it's not supposed to be over a high heat, and if, like many people, you use electric the insert must sit on top of a diffuser. Realistically, no high heat means no saute – and that's just by definition of the technique of saute cooking. Another setback with the versaware is that you cannot use customary metal utensils inside of it without using tremendous vigilance. (better not to attempt using them with it in the first place) For those who are use to continually using metal utensils and feel the impulse to employ them in the kitchen regardless of the situation would most likely find themselves walking on egg shells throughout the cooking process. Sincerely, though, these drawbacks are inadequate to get a thumbs down on this Crockpot. Even if it is not meant for intense heat, the Versaware insert is good on the stove-top, in a microwave, or (and here I am just guessing) atop a hot plate to keep the contents heated enough while sitting out on the table. Oddly enough, the crock liner also rests in the slow cooker base with an unusual cradle design, and sports a design that features four metal legs with rubber stopper feet. I was able to fit an entire roast inside it without having to cut it up ahead of time, and I think you could easily get a four-pound whole chicken in the unit. I like the choice of high or low cooking settings (the former about twice as speedy as the latter) and the warm setting to keep stuff heated when the food preparation is finished. A solitary knob sets the cooker at low, high, and maintain warm, a handy setting for maintaining cuisine at just the proper serving temperature. With these abovementioned two cook settings, low and high, this crockpot can slow cook a wide variety of stews, roasts, and soups, recipes for which are printed in an included 79-page recipe booklet. Meat can be braised initially on the stovetop, and casseroles can be browned under the broiler just before serving. While the basic unit is $59.99, I’d say spend the extra $20 for the automatic, which switches to warm as soon as the included timer (you set it in half-hour increments) has ended its countdown. Both the base and crock sport loop-style handles for easy lifting. Measuring 9 by 13 by 10-1/2 inches, with internal dimensions of 9-1/2 by 4-1/2 inches, the slow cooker comes with a short, 32-inch cord that removes from the base unit for storing and lets the full piece stand alone on a serving buffet. The crock and cover go right into the dishwasher for clean-up. If you choose to wash the versaware crock by hand, don't be surprised if you find that the mass of the liner and cover make washing more strenuous. Rival supports the slow cooker with a one year warranty. By and large, the Rival Versaware crockpot is an practical slow cooker with an inspiring degree of control that brags some handy features. If the versaware is a sign of where the crock pot is going, in that case the prospect for Rival cookware is looking pretty bright.