EJ Willson wrote:
> I'd like to buy a rice maker. It would great if it could also double
> as a vegetable steamer and/or slow cooker. I would like it to have a
> capacity of about ten cups(8 oz). Normally I'd just go to several
> websites, look at features and price and buy one, however, the
> write-ups I have found are so poor that I cannot figure out what I am
> buying. For example the ad will say "cooks rice to perfection", well
> duh would you expect it to say 'occasionally does an OK job on rice
> and turns vegetables to mush"?.
>
> I realize that this is not a moon rocket, but I do feel that somewhere
> there aught to be basic cost/performance info.
>
> What I am looking for is a list of features and specs to tell what is
> being sold. I'd like info, for example on wattage, can you steam rice
> and vegetables at the same time in separate sections, is the unit
> submersible, dishwasher safe, cooking time for white/brown rice, is it
> Teflon coated inside, is it thermostatically controlled, timer
> controlled, automatic shutoff?, does the power cord unplug etc.?
>
> Is there a site where these things are compared in an intelligent
> fashion, where someone can see what features are available and make an
> informed decision?
>
> Do you have one? What model would you recommend? What features do you
> want? Which features are useful?
>
> TIA,
> EJ in NJ

There are a number of good ones out there. I have a Wolfgang Puck model like
the link below.
http://kitchen-dining.hsn.com/wolfgang-puck-stainless-steel-steamer-and-rice-cooker_p-5485139_xp.aspx?sf=qc&attr=181&prev=hp&cm_re=Modul ar_Right*element_C_link*CustomerPicks&ccm=qc|181

It is easy to use, does a good job on rice as well as steaming anything you
might want to steam. It is also fairly cheap as well compared to others I've
seen. I've had it now about 6 months using it a few times a week with no
problems at all with it.

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Joe Cilinceon