Great Basic Rice Cooker

I suggest to use Rice Cooker Steamer for cooking rice because it is easy-to-use and convenient. In Thailand, evey house have a Rice Cooker Steamer in the kitchen. I think this model is suitable for 3-4 persons. Automatic Cooking Feature cooks rice at the touch of a switch and helps reduce overcooking. Non-Stick Coated Pan makes clean up easy. Glass Lid allows you to monitor the cooking. For up to 6.6 cups of cooked rice at the touch of a switch, this easy-to-use, fully automatic rice cooker/steamer takes the guesswork out of making great rice. The appliance features a tempered glass lid that allows for monitoring food while it's cooking, and it shuts itself off automatically when the cooking is done. Stay-cool handles on either side and one on the lid provides safe, convenient handling. In addition, the steamer's non-stick coated pan helps prevent cooked rice from sticking and makes clean up a snap. A measuring cup and English/Spanish operating instructions are included. The compact rice cooker/steamer measures 10 by 8 by 8 inches and is designed for household use only.

I have had a National rice cooker for nearly 30 years, having replaced the cord and the top handle. I've cooked literally thousands of batches of rice with my National cooker and only recently did I finally consider replacing it. It used to be very simple to clean, although it did not have a nonstick surface, but eventually it just became too much work to scrub it out. What I was looking for was another rice cooker just like it: a basic unit with absolutely no bells or whistles and no pretense of being an all-purpose appliance that could steam vegetables or keep food warm. Just cook the rice, please. The little Panasonic rice cooker is exactly like my old National, only better. The see-through top is entertaining; the old unit had an aluminum cover. The nonstick pot is great, and cleans up in seconds. It even came with a nifty little plastic rice paddle that is easier to clean than my bamboo version. The cooker does exactly what I want: perfectly prepares a one- or two-person batch of rice while I'm busy cooking the rest of the meal. Add rice, rinse, add water, put pot in cooker, put on lid and push the button. Ten or 15 minutes after the button pops up, the rice is steamed and ready to go. I love it. --Jeff Frane 'jefffrane'

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