it cook rice perfectly , and keep warm quite well . the rice , depend on the grain , do get a little too hard above 4 or 5 hour of the `` keep warm '' function , and inedibly so after 8 hour . when this happen , I just add a little water and press the cook button again . it will rehydrate the rice quickly -lrb- much faster than have to cook the rice from scratch -rrb- and automatically switch to the warm function . I cook rice almost daily , and find that the cooking time and quality be above average . the interface be very easy to use , and do much to enhance the functionality and design of the machine . I have have the cooker for a month now , and it be still work as new . other have note that it do not come with a rice paddle holder , which may be a hassle to some , but do not bother I in the slightest . the plastic paddle be textured such that the rice rarely hang onto it . the paddle then can then be leave directly on the countertop without leave bit of gunky rice behind . as a student , I have little time to prepare meal . I find that this rice cooker make delicious meal in no time at all - like a pressure or slow cooker . I have also use it to make curried rice with vegetable and chicken . just through it all in and let it cook . I be go to go for the zojirushus 3.5 as this be the one my parent own and suggest , but I find this one cheaper and more good look . and the rice be just as good ! I would highly recommend this product to anyone choosing between these two model .