Rival SCVP609H-SS 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooking Crock Pot Cooker, Stainless Steel

I bought the Rival SCVP609H 6 Quart Crock at Bed, Bath & Beyond in September 2009. I have tried twice to use the cooker on low and returned home from work to find our food "Dried out" and ruined. The outside of the unit gets extremely hot as well. The third time we used it we decided to use it on warm. Still found the food boiling inside when we returned. We took it back to BB&B and they cheerfully returned it and we selected another brand. I was not going to risk having the same thing happen again! I am convinced the heating element is defective in this particular model. If you decide to buy it anyway, stay home so you can watch it. Make sure you move everything away from the unit!

This is about the same model to the various models Ive had, that connects the lid to the cooker. Dont think I will purchase another rival - my 3rd replacement has broken again. First 2 times the plastic piece that connects the lid to the unit broke and this 3rd one, the crock actually has cracked! I have never had a crock crack before! Not again will I purchase a Rival slow cooker!

I bought this due to the high rating by Consumers' Reports but as I read in ratings here for other Rival slow cookers, this cooks way too hot. I can only use it on weekends as everything is cooked in half the time on low. It was a waste of money and I can do better in the oven or on the stovetop. The hinged top is practical but must be removed before you can take out the pot.