Customer Reviews

Rival RO180 18-Quart Roaster Oven, White

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought this a couple of years ago to help with the Thanksgiving load on the oven. But now we wouldn't cook a turkey any other way, and I love it for big batches of soup and chili. The turkey cooks in far less time than in an oven, and it's wonderfully moist and flavorful. It makes huge batches of soup that are not possible in my crock pot, so is invaluable for those extra large recipes. And it's very easy to transport.

I really appreciate having the oven available for other dishes when I use my roaster. And when my oven was being repaired ,we used the roaster in it's place, and I was pleasantly surprised at what I could cook in it! I just used it dry, and put my baking pans inside, and my dishes came out just as good as when using the conventional oven. It's large enough to easily accomodate a 9x13 pan.

The one big drawback is you have to really watch the temperature. It gets hotter than you set the dial, so I compensate and cook at a lower temperature. It can be annoying at first, but once you get used to your roaster, it's not so big of a deal. But be prepared until you know what your roaster will do. And the removable pan you cook in is very big and not very nonstick, so can be a pain to wash unless you have an extra large sink. Spraying it down in the sink while it's still hot does help with clean-up, but it's never easy to wash. It does take up a lot of counter space while using it.

I have the buffet inserts, and they work great for taco/nacho parties. I put the hot items in their own compartment (meat, beans, cheese sauce), and they stay hot the entire time. And, again, it's portable, so you can take it to an event to use this way. If we have a big crowd at the holidays and serve family style, I put in the buffet insert after the turkey is done, fill them with the hot sides (potatoes, stuffing, veggies, etc), and it keeps those 3 hot dishes hot through out the entire meal. Very handy!! If you do a web search, you'll find a ton of great ideas and recipes for your roaster. There are very dedicated roaster users out there that have great information that I recommend you look at.
Like I said, I initially got it for holiday meals, but find I'm reaching for it for so many other events. Just watch the temperature!

Even though this roaster has a few minor details, over all I love it. I have outlined the good and the bad below.

Benefits:
1. Great for a second oven. This is especially nice during the holiday season (Thanksgiving and Christmas). I can bake up to a twenty-pound turkey or two twelve-pound spiral cut hams in a single roaster.

2. Great for keeping food warm. During the holidays or any time when you have out of state relatives coming in, you can prepare food and have it warm when your guests arrive. My mom and dad come in from a distance of over 1000 miles and you never know for sure when they are going to arrive. This way I can fix some pork chops and allow them to simmer a little in the roaster. This way they have a warm home cooked meal waiting for them when they get in.

3. It's an extremely versatile kitchen appliance. I have baked turkeys and hams in it. In addition, I have fixed pot roasts, chicken, chili, and stew with amazing results.

4. It doesn't heat up the house as much as a conventional oven. During the summer time I occasionally get a craving for a roast or even a nice turkey. This way I can fix a nice hot meal and without a hot house. This saves me money on the AC bills. In fact, I bet you over the last five years I have save more than enough to pay for the unit.

5. Dependable...I have had my two roasters for five years now. In addition, I bought two for my mom and dad and all four are still working fine.

6. Safer than an outdoor turkey cooker. I don't have to worry about a grease fire like I would with a turkey cooker.

7. Turkey is extremely moist. Because the bird is halfway submerged in juices it comes out very very moist and tender.


Negatives:
1. The cord is way to short. Without a proper extension cord you are guaranteed to have this cooker right up against the wall where it is plugged in. While it is still safer than an outdoor turkey cooker, one should seriously consider investing in a properly rated extension cord.

2. It takes up a lot of space when not in use. While it is a great space saver for cooking a turkey, it takes up a lot of space in our pantry. I have seriously considered storing it in our shed outside. However, I am not sure even with its dependability how it will handle the heat of summer and the cold of winter.

3. It's a real pain to clean. Unless you have an over sized sink this thing is frustrating to say the least to clean. I have found that I can just barely fit in the bottom of my dishwasher. But for best results I have to rinse it off using the sink sprayer and then place it in the dishwasher. In addition, I have to wash the different parts separately or they will not come clean. My friend actually uses his bathtub to wash his. I am not sure on the cleanliness of this method, but I guess you can try it.

4. My biggest pet peeve is that you have no idea when it's actually on or off. Then is no indicator light. The only way to tell is by the heat coming off the unit.

5. Unfortunately the outside gets hot to the touch. While it will not cause second or third degree burns, it can cause pain and a first-degree burn. Important safety note.....KEEP kids away from the unit.

I think it does a good job for what it is intended for. I don't like the fact that the outside body gets very warm. This should have been insulated better.

I've been wanting to get an oven roaster for awhile. It does what it's supposed to do, I've roasted some stuffed pork tenderloins and chickens in it, and they've been great. Just remember the unit does get hot, and if you lift the lid to sneek a peak at the food, you will extend your roasting time - all the heat escapes. I do wish the cord was a little longer, but one can't have everything!

Our annual Christmas Eve buffet was all scheduled for my daughter's house. Her oven went out that morning and this roaster came to our rescue. She cooked the honey baked ham, yams, and turkey breast all in the roaster and her oven wasn't needed. It saved our Christmas Eve. These roasters are wonderful for large crowds and family dinners and are very versatile. You can roast, bake, warm just about anything. It's easy to clean and now every time we get together, someone wants to use the roaster. I highly recommend this roaster; you won't be disappointed.

It is cheaply made, and the "enamel" on the steel pans if you can call it that, is not very acid resistant and after a bit of use flakes off and then corrodes the overly thin steel.

I use this roaster as a heater for basalt stones I use in Hot stone massage.
As a massage therapist and a teacher of the Stone Tools technique of hot stone massage, I rely on a good heater to keep the stones at the proper temperature. It is also the proper size to be able to see the different stones I use. I have used my Rival heater for over 5 years averaging 20 hours of use a week and have not had a problem. This is the heater I recommend to my students. A small improvement would be an indicator light when the unit is actively heating.

I have a separate Rival roster to cook turkeys in. It is so much easier to use than the oven and saves the oven for other uses. It is quicker and cooks the turkey evenly and keeps it moist.

I use this during summer outside in my enclosed deck. It keeps the heat out of the kitchen. I had one before with a browning element in the lid and miss that feature, but this is nearly as good.

This roaster oven is a good appliance, and very well priced. Have been using it for a while now,with good results. I am pleased with it, however, it doesn't seem as well made as the unit it replaced. Amazon shipped it quickly,and it arrived in good order. Many Thanks!

The Rival 18 quart roaster is great for so many things. Chili, sloppy joes, turkey, ribs, pork loins, baked beans etc. It's great for serving large crowds. I have two roasters and use them all of the time.