Rice be something that be make at least once a week in my household . previous to purchase the Sanyo ecj-hc55 rice cooker , I have a simple Oster rice cooker that do a adequate job . it only have a toggle switch that cook the rice . it make pretty good white and brown rice , but there be also some issue with it . the bowl be lightweight and the non-stick coating be flake off . also , when the unit signal that the rice be cook , the top would be fine , but the bottom would be crusty and almost burnt and stick to the bottom . I finally get feed up and start look on Amazon for a replacement . I be pretty set on pick a Zojirushi model from all of the positive review I read on not only Amazon but other website as well . as I be browse , this Sanyo model catch my eye . it look pretty sleek with its metal face and top while the rest of the body be white . after read the review for it and compare the feature in a similarly price Zojirushi model , I decide to take the plunge and pick up the Sanyo . what a amazing little machine . the construction be solid , the bowl for the rice be heavy and well make . the unit have all kind of setting for the various type of rice . in addition , the unit come with another lid insert and another bowl to do slow cooking in the unit . it also come with a plastic insert that state it be for make tofu . not sure if I will ever use that , but I do like that I have the option . the rice it make be perfect , be not too mushy or too firm . the rice do not stick to the bottom of the bowl at all . it be just simply the best rice I ever make . as soon as the rice finish cooking , it switch over to a warming mode that state it can keep the rice warm for 12 hour . in addition , the rice can be place in the bowl with water in the morning and a timer set so that you have cook rice when you return from work . while the unit do chime when the rice be cook so that I be alert , when start the cycle , it do not give a estimate of the amount of time that it take to cook . however , that one minor drawback would not stop I from recommend this unit to anyone else look for a affordable unit to make perfect rice .