- Wash the removable roasting pan, the roasting rack and the buffet frame and dishes (if your model has these) in hot, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and dry. Place the roasting pan and rack in the roaster and add 2 cups of hot water. Turn the roaster on and heat it for 30 minutes at 300 degrees F. This will help remove the odor and the smokiness from the roaster caused by the manufacturing process. Thoroughly wash and dry the roaster parts again before you cook with them.
- Cooking in your Rival roasting pan is just like cooking in the oven. Pre-heat the roaster to the desired temperature. This may take as long as 20 minutes if you want high heat. Place meats, such as roasts and poultry, on the roasting rack and place the rack in the pan. You can cook soups and stews directly in the removable roasting pan. Bake breads, cookies and other pastries in pans of the appropriate size inside the roasting pan. The Rival roaster manual contains some recipes (see Resources).
- Fill the removable roasting pan half full with water. Place the buffet dish ring on top of the pan and place the buffet serving dishes in the appropriate openings. Place the lid on the roaster and turn the roaster to 350 degree F and heat the water for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and place cooked foods into the serving dishes. Cover and turn the roaster down to 250 degree F. The roaster will keep your food at a safe serving temperature, provided the cover is kept in place when the food is not being served.
- When roasting or cooking in your roaster, remove the lid as little as possible. Baste ribs, turkey or other meats no more than every 30 minutes. Each time you remove the lid from your roaster, it loses heat, which could prolong cooking times. Always use a meat thermometer to check doneness of meat before serving.
