I debate over buy a appliance dedicate solely to one task and one task only , but I be so glad I finally do . this rice cooker have change my life , in so much as it give I one less thing to think about when I walk in the door from work and be confront with get dinner on the table in a timely fashion . it be such a relief to not even have to measure out the rice and water and get that go ; Zojirushi have it under control and I can focus on the veggy and the protein . the appliance be very easy to use and pre-program , and easy to clean\/maintain . -lrb- wash out the non-stick bowl sure beat have to clean out the entire microwave when the rice water inevitably bubble over -rrb- . it be relatively easy to store -lrb- the retractable cord be nice -rrb- , although it do take up a fair amount of space in the cabinet . oh , and it make much better rice than I ever do , either with the stovetop method or the microwave method , and it keep it warm so timing be not really as much as a issue . finally , this have get I over my reluctance to try brown rice -lrb- ugggh , who have 45 minute to wait while brown rice cook ? -rrb- now it start cooking before I even get home , shorten the time it take I to get dinner on the table considerably . I really recommend this for anyone who eat rice with any regularity at all -lrb- I use the Zojirushi about once a week -rrb- and who be interested in simplify life just a little bit .