after own 2 cheap rice cooker that each last less than a year and be too small for my large family , I decide to try this model . it have work out wonderfully ! no matter what kind of rice I try , it turn out perfectly . there be several thing that people should be prepare for , though , before they purchase this unit . I have notice other reviewer have complain that they cooker be burn or brown the rice on the bottom . accord to the instruction that come with my rice cooker , this be a normal occurrence . I do not really care if the very bottom of my rice brown , but I have notice that if I open my cooker and stir the rice near the end of the cycle , this be prevent . I have also notice that I do not have to wait until the beep . I usually will stir my rice toward the end of the cycle , and if I see that the water be absorb I will turn it off . this still produce perfect rice , without the crust on the bottom . incidentally , the other two rice cooker I own do the same thing . the benefit of those cooker be that the lid be clear glass , so I could see when the water be absorb , however they be just too small and both stop work within a year of purchase . another complaint I have see be that it take 1 1\/2 hour to cook brown rice . some people even think they cooker be break and throw out the rice after the traditional 45 minute it would have take on a stove top to cook it . per the instruction book , brown rice be better if give some time to soak before cooking . when cooking brown rice , realize that this model allow the rice time to soak before it actually start to cook it . I usually cook brown rice because I believe it be healthier , and we love the taste and texture . because there be a warm setting that kick in when the rice be do , I can make my rice well in advance and allow it to stay warm while I make dinner . if I be in a hurry and still want rice , I will make long grain white rice or basmatus rice . one other complaint I see be that it do not truly make 16 cup of rice . all of the rice cooker I have own have use they own measuring cup and do not make as much rice as we Americans may expect if we be think in term of we measure cup . if you use the measure cup that come with this cooker , it would make the 16 cup . however , I use a regular measuring cup when I make my rice . I usually make 8 cup cook rice , though I believe I could get 10 cup of rice with this cooker . it be more than I be able to make in my previous cooker . incidentally , I do not use twice the amount of water per the amount of rice , though that work . I have find that I like my rice better when I use just under that amount of water or broth . for instance , if I make 4 cup of uncooked rice , I add 7 1\/2 cup of water or broth . this work well for I , though you can use the extra water . again , I usually stir my rice toward the end of the cycle and stop the cook cycle when it look like the water be absorb . I have use this method with all my cooker to prevent the crust on the bottom . I would encourage people to play around a little bit with the amount of water they use , and if they do not like the crust , which really do not bother I when I be too busy to stop and stir it , then they can prevent it by follow the method I just note . a couple of other thing of note : because the brown rice setting be time to allow soak , realize that if you turn it off or unplug it during the process , it will start the process over again when you turn it back on . I be cooking rice in the kitchen at church for a dish-to-pass afterwards . while I be in the service , a well-meaning young woman who be help with the dinner set-up unplug my rice cooker to take it out to the table where they be put food . she then plug it in there , think it be just like any crockpot and would pick up where it leave off . unfortunately , it start to soak the partially cook rice ! this cooker have a lid that be attach , so it can not be remove to be wash in the dishwasher . you must clean it with a cloth every time you use it . there be a black steam catcher in the lid that must be remove and can be wash in the dishwasher . there be also a water catcher that catch water run down the lid when you open it . this also can be wash in the dishwasher . I really like the steam catcher feature because the other cooker I have allow the starchy steam to rise up onto my top cupboard . overall , this be a great rice cooker . it cook the rice perfectly -- whether you allow the crust to form at the bottom , or stir and stop the cook cycle just before this happen after the water be absorb . this cooker have outlast my other two , and it make the largest amount of the three , perfect for my large family or for dish-to-pass supper at church or anywhere else . I believe that if you purchase this cooker , know the fact I list above , you will be happy as I be . by the way , I purchase mine from target for $ 29.99 !