this be my first fancy rice cooker , and I be a bit apprehensive about how much use it would get . we be not especially big rice eater . not to worry , I use it several time a week . it work well as a small slow cooker , I can finally make good black bean soup -lrb- it take a long time -rrb- . I have also start make sticky rice and steel cut oats -lrb- porridge setting with 3:1 oats : water -rrb- which both take a long time . this be where the timer be great . I put in the ingredient in the morning\/evening and it be ready when I get up\/home . cleanup be very easy , the gooey porridge almost fall out clean when I hold the pot upside down . just do not try to cook too much at once , that could be a mess . the retractable cord be nice too . now if only it make bread , yogurt , and waffle I could reclaim some precious kitchen space .