I be not good at cooking rice , luckily this machine do it for I . Perfect rice every time , keep it warm without dry it out too . the melody it play when it start and finish make I smile every time . one of the first thing I do be break the `` spatula holder '' it be a little plastic thing that attach to the side , it be not important . other small appliance I own rarely get use because I can cook better\/faster\/easier on something else or they be a pain to clean . I would never cook rice without this ; I get it last Christmas and use it about once a week . I disagree with the other reviewer on the cleaning part all of the piece you clean come off and I have wait day after cooking -lrb- gross I know -rrb- and still do not have stick on rice . bottom line : it be awesome .