To evaluate $\log_{10} 1000$ without using a calculator, follow these steps:

1. Recall that $\log_{10} x$ represents the exponent to which the base 10 must be raised to produce $x$.
2. We know that $1000$ can be written as a power of 10:
   $1000 = 10^3$
3. Therefore, $\log_{10} 1000$ asks, "To what power must 10 be raised to get 1000?"
4. Since $10^3 = 1000$, the answer is: $\log_{10} 1000 = 3$

So, $\log_{10} 1000 = 3$.

Would you like more details or have any questions about this? Here are some related questions you might consider:

1. How do you evaluate $\log_{10} 100$ without using a calculator?
2. What is $\log_{2} 8$ and how can it be evaluated without a calculator?
3. How can the properties of logarithms simplify the evaluation of expressions like $\log_{10} 0.01$?
4. How do logarithmic functions relate to exponential functions?
5. What is the general form for solving $\log_b(x) = y$ when $b$ and $y$ are known?

Tip: When evaluating logarithms, always check if the argument can be expressed as a power of the base. This simplifies the calculation significantly.