first , there be some really wacky review here . accord to some this cooker can do some appalling thing . after have use this a few time I wonder what they be do wrong . I can only conclude that they do not follow the instruction . I will echo other reviewer : if you follow the instruction precisely it will perform superbly . I do not really like rice and I never fix it for myself , but my dog have a sensitive g.i. tract -lrb- one of the and require a full cup of rice with each meal in addition to he normal food . the rice work wonder . but it leave I with the need to cook a enormous amount of rice on a persistent basis , so I decide to get this cooker . I find it incredibly convenient and easy to clean . there be zero mess , which leave I confused about some of the other review . all I can say be that I follow the instruction pretty precisely and have have no problem of any sort . the inner container work as a superb storage unit for the refrigerator . the one thing that I do be take a piece of plastic wrap and cover the container with it . there be a small hole in the lid that allow steam to escape during cooking , but I want to plug it up to keep the rice from dry out in the refrigerator . the only thing that I can add that be anywhere close to a negative comment be that when I make 14 cup it fill the container completely . if I try to make 16 cup it would possibly exceed the storage capacity of the container and create some of the problem other reviewer have note . so while I strongly recommend this cooker , I also recommend cooking no more than 14 cup . but I can not imagine many people need that much . so as long as you follow instruction but keep the amount just a bit below the recommend maximum this will be a outstanding rice cooker for almost anyone .