Countertop roaster ovens can do many of the same things your regular oven does, but it isn't quite the same. For one thing, the smaller cooking space retains much of the moisture that would evaporate in a regular range or wall oven. That makes roasters ideal for chuck roasts and other tough cuts, which require long, slow cooking times. The roaster can be used to braise your chuck for pot roast, or slow-roast it in a moist atmosphere that limits evaporation.

Place the cooking insert in the roaster, plug it in, and preheat to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

Heat a heavy skillet over a medium-high burner, and add a half-tablespoon of oil. Sear the chuck roast thoroughly on all sides, until it's well-browned. Season it liberally with salt and pepper, or other seasonings if desired, and transfer it to your roaster.

Return the skillet to its burner, and pour in a small amount of broth or wine. Stir it vigorously to dissolve the seared-on beef juices, then pour them over the chuck. Pour in enough additional broth, water, wine or other liquids to come halfway up the side of the roast.

Add onions, garlic, celery, carrots or other aromatic ingredients as desired. Turn down the roaster to a temperature of 250 F, and slow-cook the roast until it's fork-tender. For a 4- to 6-pound roast, this typically takes 2 to 3 hours. If you wish to cook vegetables with the roast, add them after the first hour.

Remove the finished pot roast from your roaster, and transfer it to a serving platter. Cover it loosely with foil, and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Lift out the vegetables, if you've made them, with a slotted spoon and transfer them to a serving bowl. Strain the cooking liquid, and thicken it to make a sauce. Serve the pot roast, vegetables and sauce together.

Place the cooking insert into your roaster, plug it in, and preheat it to 350 F.

Sear the chuck on all sides, in a hot, heavy-bottomed skillet. This step is optional, but adds rich, savory flavors. Season the roast liberally with salt and pepper, or other flavorings as desired.

Transfer the browned chuck to your countertop roaster, adding onions or other aromatic ingredients if you wish. Cover the roaster, and reduce its temperature to 300 F.

Slow-roast the chuck until it reaches your desired degree of doneness. At approximately 20 minutes per pound, your chuck will be medium-well and will slice easily for sandwiches or a roast beef dinner. At 30 to 35 minutes per pound, it will have a rich, soft texture similar to pot roast or pulled pork.

Remove the chuck from your roaster and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving it.