I agree with all the positive review here . I purchase this to cook brown rice and now that all my family eat now that it come out perfect everytime . I cook add ' l and keep in the fridge . just add a few drop of water to a bowl -lrb- to rehydrate the rice a little -rrb- , load rice in & microwave a minute or more . I have also cook steel cut oats use the brown rice cycle which work well . I have also do black bean without soak , but I have to run the brown rice cycle two time to get it right . -lrb- this mean I have to let it cool down between cycle by remove the bowl and set it aside and leave the lid open so the unit cool as well , because the safety feature will not let you start a new cycle if the temp be above a certain amt . -rrb- if in a hurry , you could put cold water in sink and let the bowl sit in it a few minute too . maybe if you soak the bean overnight , you would only have to run it once . I shall try soak the bean another time to see if I can use only 1 cycle . I have also cook 20 minute stove-top rice use the quick rice cycle , this also be dead on too . I be sure if I give it some thought I could be a lot more creative and I be bet all whole grain will cook in the brown rice cycle . also , do not put directly under cabinet as it steam a lot near the end of the cycle , pull it out a little on the counter so it clear the cabinet . incidently , I make a few measurement and test & time a few thing . first off the plastic rice cup measurer take 2\/3 + 2 tablespoon of water in case anyone lose theirs . second , for brown rice , this take a whopping 1hr 41 minute to complete so allow the time . due to the length , I decide to measure how many KW it be use for that cycle with my p3 kill a watt . it use .16 in total for the 1hr 41min cycle which confirm what I think . . that be do not draw full power the entire time and be not a energy hog . this be about what a 100-watt candescent lightbulb would use in the same amount of time . all in all , this product be very well think out , very well make and be extremely reliable . even though it be make in China it be of highest quality . it have a small footprint and even a retractable cord and carry handle . the bowl be hold up quite well . periodically remove the insert on the lid where the gasket be to wash any residue that might be build up . I be very hesitant to plunk down all that money , but I have no regret today and I be consider buy the larger model since I use it so much . this be great for lazy people too , it take a minute to get it go and very little clean-up involve ! my husband and kid can even use this thing . Hope this help , just think I would give back my review for all the helpful one I have use . 3\/21\/11 almost three year later & still loving this product . teflon be hold up fine !!!