[fliptuner]

Re: rice cookers. My pot has held up pretty well over the last couple of years. We cook 3-4 cups at a time and only clean it with the soft side if the dish sponge. Only other things that touch it, are the plastic spoon and when someone drops metal utensils in there when it's in the sink.

We also usually make enough to either pack lunch the next day or to make fried rice. And on that note, always use 1-2 day old refrigerated rice, broken up, to make fried rice. Cheap/convenient to have as a standby for a quick meal the next day or 2. Rice, garlic, egg, peas and a protein and some seasoning, plus a hot wok and you have a 10 minute meal.