Equipped with a locking lid and a steam cap/vent to preserve moisture, this 420-watt electric appliance produces 1 to 5 cups of cooked rice and then automatically keeps the rice fresh, moist, and warm for hours. About 30 minutes is required to cook 5 cups, with an additional 15 minutes of warming recommended for maximum fluffiness. The cooker operates simply. There's a single control to begin the cooking process, and lights signal when cooking ends and warming begins. Inside the white-plastic, cool-touch exterior, a nonstick pan readily releases cooked rice and then cleans up easily. Accompanying the cooker are a rice spatula, a spatula holder that hooks onto the cooker's side, and a plastic measuring cup. The cooker measures 9-1/2 inches wide, 8-3/4 inches high, and 12-1/2 inches deep, weighs 5-3/4 pounds, and can be lifted by handles recessed into the sides. --Fred Brack