I have the same usual story of woe ; use a cheap , awful rice maker with a glass lid for year , have to deal with a awful mess anytime I just want a side of rice . I finally give in and order this 3-cup rice cooker after do a lot of research . it be as great as everyone say ! it be just deliver this afternoon , and I have already pull it out and cook up some rice . it be so simple , I do not even bother read the instruction . the truly fantastic thing about it be , I be able to go run a errand that suddenly come up without worry about leave it sit . when I get home , a \* perfectly \* cook serve of rice be wait for I . it be quite expensive , and I debate buy it because I be move to Japan next year . but I have absolutely no problem with spend the measely $ 20 to send it on over to myself . admittedly , I be only one person , and never cook for more than 4 , but I can not see this rice cooker fail to deliver for a small family of average eater . I only make one cup -lrb- smaller than the ' 1 cup ' we use in cooking -rrb- , and it make a full bowl of rice . this be the first time I have ever bother write a review for anything -- but I simply have to , because I be so impressed . I would reccomend this cooker to anyone who love eat lot of quality rice . : -rrb-