One of the reasons to *not* rinse/prewash dishes is if you use an enzyme detergent it needs the food particles to work better. It'll etch glass and stuff if it doesn't have the food particles. I can't explain it well, but it's easy research for a more thorough explanation. Most just recommend scraping the dishes (and really, who wouldn't?!) then into the DW. I haven't had a dishwasher for more than 30 years but I'm starting to miss it. I would get grossed out though when it left stuff on it. When washing by hand and using a good soap it gets clean. Sure, you just put it back in and rewash but it still bugs me. It also bugs me to see people leave dirty dishes in the DW for a week before washing them. Argh! If it takes a week to fill it, you should have a smaller DW or use a top rack only feature. This is what impresses me about the F&P Dish Drawers. And geez, I can wash a few dishes FAR faster than an hour or two for a dishwasher! LOL And when you compare the time to load the dishwasher vs washing, it's pretty close. Time's not a factor. It's the hassle of washing them. I soak my dishes and a quick swish, rinse in HOT water and into the drainer to dry. Putting them away is comparable to time in a DW. Oh, and one thing I found out quickly, the way you load it makes a big difference. You have to learn how the water sprays and make sure it's not blocked for effective washing.

How big a roast? What kind of roast? What temp? Pre-heated or cold-start? For example, 50 minutes at 325 won't do much. Another example -- when I do a 4-5lb. potroast, I leave it in there for four hours. There are MANY variables to "roasting". Can you tell us more about what you're doing and what you'd like to do? Cookbooks and internet sites are jam-packed with instructions for producing successful roasts of all kinds. I suspect there's nothing at all wrong with your roasting pan.

You can find the chalks in scrapbooks stores and in the craft department of Wal-Mart. I have even used my kids sidewalk chalk! I just used a q-tip to apply it. If you have any of that outrageous '80s eyeshadow, that works well too, LOL. I use blush in a lot of my craft projects to make pink cheeks on things. You can watercolor you paper casts too, just don't use too much water or it will turn to a sodden mess. You can use kids watercolors, or take a water based marker and "color" onto a plastic lid. Then dip your brush in water and run throught the marker residue - 'voila!

Oh yes. These are permanent stains. The paint is 2k paint that uses a hardener, so I was surprised, and wondered if anyone else has encountered this.