we try the cheaper model from the same brand and return it . this one work perfectly , especially for cooking very small quantity of rice . could not be happier , and yes , it do employ fuzzy logic when cook the rice . do not buy a cooker without that feature . and everything from this brand be usually very high quality . this one be no exception . if you be a serious cook , this be the entry level . do not go any cheaper . note that it only cook 3 cup . Perfect for those who like rice but may not want so much of it . for two people , we have find that 1 cup be enough to satisfy we craving for rice dish for two , without pump up we waistline . it be very easy to use . they give you a measure cup and you measure the rice with the line on the cup -lrb- we use 1\/4 cup per person , but most will probably want 1\/2 cup per person -rrb- , then dump it into the bowl that be include in the thing . next , add water -lrb- some people will stir the rice with they finger -rrb- and pour the water back out to rinse the rice . some of the hull from the rice will float off when you pour the water out . rinse twice , then fill the water back up to the mark correspond to the amount of rice you have in there . yes , you add water to the mark with the rice inside . put the bowl in the unit and close the lid . next you push menu to select the type of rice you have -lrb- white , brown , sushi , etc. , use porridge for steel cut oatmeal -rrb- and push start . if you want to use the timer , instead of push start , push timer , use the arrow to set the time -lrb- it start with the last time you use -rrb- and then push start . the only knock I have be that it take a \* long \* time to cook 1 cup of rice . 40 minute just seem like it be twice as long as it should take . however , because I do not know whether that be longer than other fuzzy logic rice cooker , I do not take a star away from the product . just be forewarn , it take a lot longer than cooking rice on a stove . be it underpowered ? I do not know . the flip side be that it only take 450 watt to run the thing , and so it be less likely to pop the circuit breaker if you have something else go . a little off topic , but if you be look at a rice cooker , you may want to learn about rice . here be what we have learn so far . there be three basic grain size of rice : long grain , medium grain and short grain , also know as sweet rice or sushi rice . each kind have its place . long grain rice be best for fried rice and pilaf - where the rice should not stick together because you want every grain to be coat with a flavoring . by itself , long grain rice be not that great tasting . we Americans be use to long grain rice , but wait until you branch out into other type . medium grain rice be for serve just plain rice , like as a side dish with chinese dish . it be easily the best tasting rice by itself . it clump together to a degree , make it easier to eat with chopstick . if you want the most delicious rice you can find , and you will not be flavor it , buy medium grain . it be so much better than that long grain minute rice we grow up with . finally , sushi rice be very short grain and clump like mad . it be generally limit to sushi , where you would be willing to sacrifice flavor to get better clumping , and sweet dish , because of its high starch content . this rice cooker have a special setting for short grain rice . but I find short grain rice to be too artificial tasting , and so even for sweet dish , I use medium grain rice . next , there be two basic type of rice : brown rice , which be how all rice start , or white rice , which be brown rice with essentially all of the nutrient remove . with no nutrient , white rice do not spoil like brown rice can . we have find very little difference in taste between brown rice and white rice . if you do not like brown rice , you be probably think of a exotic variety that have a deeper taste . regular brown rice you buy in the store be very nearly the same taste as white , so we have stop buy white . find Botan Calrose brown rice in a asian market , look at the health advantage of brown rice on the internet and you 'll never go back . note , there be a special setting on the cooker for brown rice , and different water mark for brown , and brown rice take about 80 -lrb- not a typo -rrb- minute to make one cup . I be sure you can find more detail on line , but that should give you the basics . Ditch you long grain rice : you 'll be amaze at how much better medium grain rice can be . and try brown rice : you 'll be shock at how close it be to the nutrient-less white rice . this cooker make all kind of rice really well . I have have it for about three year and we use it nearly every day . it be still work like the day we get it . the nonstick bowl look and act like new . the battery keep all of the setting and the current time , though my understanding be that the battery be not easily replaceable without send it back .