my wife and I become busy recently and decide it be time to finally get a rice cooker to save some time in the kitchen . we buy a cheap old-school rice cooker and the rice would scorch , water would boil out of lid , and the rice be worse than cook the rice on the stove top . then we decide to invest in a good rice cooker . the Zojirushi ns-lac05 be everything we hope for and more . we want a rice cooker that would make great rice , that could handle smaller amount of rice , that have a timer , and could handle a variety of different rice . this rice cooker be a dream . - it be attractive . we have already receive compliment from guest . - its footprint be very reasonable for a small kitchen . - with a thick , stick proof bowl the rice do not burn to any spot and clean up be simple . - it easily make rice for 2 adult -lrb- 1.5 of the `` cup '' for we -rrb- but could handle 4 adult -lrb- 3 `` cup '' -rrb- with normal eating habit . note : the cup be not full size cup of rice . - it do a great job on a variety of rice ; there be different setting for different rice and the measurement marking appear correct for different rice . so far we have try long grain brown , medium grain brown , sushi , jasmine , white basmatus , brown basmatus , and brown\/white mix . we have not have a bad batch of rice . - the computer 's fuzzy logic algorithm -lrb- i.e. `` Micom Neuro Fuzzy '' -rrb- constantly adjust the temperature so the rice come out perfect every time . I also think the cooker start out at a low temperature and gradually step up the heat but I be not 100 % sure . - the heavy bowl seem to distribute heat perfectly and there be no scorched rice or crust attach to the bowl . - the timer be convenient for set the rice to be complete at a specific time , at which point it keep you rice warm . we have find it complete cooking within a minute or two of the timer setting . there be two timer setting that you can adjust ... presumably so you could have you rice prepare for breakfast & dinner in Japan . - the retractable cord be a nice feature . - there be even a little holder for the include rice paddle that attach to the side of the cooker . we have even use it to make Polenta . just use 1 zojirushi-cup of corn grits , chicken broth up to 2-cup brown rice mark , and cook use the white rice setting . when it be do , put the mixture in a bowl and let it cool to room temperature . I would highly recommend this rice cooker . it be probably not big enough for a big family but for a single person , a couple , or a small family it will probably fit the bill perfectly . I can not over-emphasize the quality of rice the cooker produce ... it be like a dream have rice as good or better than a restaurant at home . we probably eat grain cook in this machine 6-7 night a week . once you switch to this Zojirushi you 'll never want to go back to you old way .