The Rival BB100 BBQ Pit is a large slow cooker/roaster, which lets you prepare traditional barbeque favorites like spare ribs, chicken or beef brisket right on your countertop.

This unit is a slow cooker in the sense that it cooks foods at a slow, even heat all day long for authentic fall-off-the-bone taste. It's also a roaster, with the capacity to handle roasts up to 12 pounds, two whole chickens, a large (7-pound) turkey, or up to three full racks of country style or baby back ribs.

The Rival BB100 BBQ Pit comes with a power base, removable stoneware roasting pan, adjustable meat rack and removable flip-back domed lid. The versatile rack can be used to hold a chicken or roast or it can be flipped over so that it can hold ribs upright for even cooking. The lid has a large front handle that stays cool during cooking and provides ready access to check the cooking progress. The base is rather large, measuring 16 inches deep by 11 inches tall at its widest points. The depth is a deceiving measurement, however, since several inches are accounted by the front handle and rear lid hinges.

The unit has one temperature dial with two settings: high and low. Low is the traditional slow cook setting and gently cooks the foods all day for slow roasted perfection. If you are in a hurry, the high setting cooks foods nearly twice as fast, completing cooking in as little as 2-3 hours.

We particularly liked the glazed stoneware roasting pan, which lifts out of the base for simplified cleanup. The glazed pan has a nonstick finish so foods won't completely adhere to the sides. We did notice some sticking, however, near the bottom of the pan, which required soaking. The removable stoneware pan is also ovenproof so you can start or finish the cooking process in your oven.

Perhaps the best feature of the Rival BB100 BBQ Pit is the hands-free, worry-free cooking it delivers. You can assemble your meal in the morning, set the pot to cook on low all day and come back to a ready-to-serve entree. And, with its oversize capacity, you can have enough for family and friends.

At $100, the Rival BB100 BBQ Pit is a welcome addition to the barbeque-lover's kitchen. This unit turned out the most tender ribs we've ever tasted. The domed lid locks in heat and moisture for tender and juicy results. A handy home-style recipe booklet is also included.


Pros: Cooks all day unattended, non-stick, removable stoneware
Cons: Large size, needs ample counter space