So, I've inherited a rice cooker - what am I supposed to do with it?

[MrsFogi]

I've been given a rice cooker direct from China (so all the instructions are in Chinese) - is it going to be any use? can you only cook rice in it or can you do anything else? is the rice better than that cooked in a saucepan? Bottom line - can this machine justify taking up space on my worksurface?

I love my rice cooker and wouldn't be without it. We do eat a lot of rice though, so perhaps it would be a waste of space for someone who only eats it occasionally.

Did it come with a measure? Usually I think it's two measures of water for every one measure of rice. I do it by water depth though. First I wash the rice a couple of times to get rid of excess starch, then I fill the bowl so that the depth of the water above the rice is at the first knuckle of my forefinger.

I like it because you just turn it on and forget about it, and it keeps the rice warm. I was always burning the rice when I did it in a saucepan because I would forget how long it had been on the hob.

I love my rice cooker too. But we also eat rice a lot - have to buy 10kg bags from the Asian store because Tescos bags are not big enough (except horrid easycook rice and there is no point buying that if you have a rice cooker).

It is particularly good when cooking for lots of people - it makes really good rice for 12 people. You just load it up and press the switch, and once the rice is cooked it keeps it safely warm until you are ready to eat so I don't have to think about timing that part of the meal.

Our rice cooker has a little plastic cup to measure the rice. And number markings up the inside of the pan. If you've put 2 cups of rice in you fill the pan with water to the 2 mark (put the rice in first). And that serves 2 hungry people.