For those who failed Rice 101: Krups FDH212 10-Cup Rice Cooker

I am not a good cook on my best day, but I am truly horrible when it comes to making rice. White, brown, and basmati rice--it doesn't matter, I will destroy them all. My fiance has tried to teach me his foolproof method for cooking rice (1 cup rice, 2 cups water, cover and cook for 15 minutes, let sit for 5 minutes) but the magical formula doesn't work for me. After three years of sticky rice with the texture of glue, he told his mother to buy me a rice cooker for Christmas. She gave me the Krups FDH212 10-Cup Rice Cooker and WOW has it made a difference in my cooking! I am beyond impressed.

About This Product
This machine is actually a 3-in-1 machine that functions as a rice cooker, steamer, and slow cooker. It has a ten cup capacity which means you can cook more rice in one go than anyone could ever possibly need. You also can load the same amount of foods if you are using it as a slow cooker. For steaming, though, there is a rather small basket which means you can cook much less that way than the other two methods.

This item has a brushed stainless steel exterior. The front has a control panel with mode indicator lights, three buttons, and a timer. As far as small appliances go, the Krups 10-Cup Rice Cooker is sleek and pretty as it sits on the counter.

The removable bowl has markings that indicate cup capacity. It also has a non-stick finish to make cleanup easier. According to the owner's manual, the bowl can be either washed by hand or cleaned in the dishwasher. That's what I like to hear! (The exterior can be washed with a mild detergent and water.)

How To Make Incredible Rice
It is extremely easy to use this machine! All you have to do is add your desired amount of rice (in cups) and then fill up the bowl with water to the appropriate mark. Then you just close the lid, press the "mode" button once so the "rice cooking" light is lit, and then hit the "start" button. That's it. The rice cooker determines exactly how long it needs to run depending on the amount of rice you are preparing. When it is finished, it automatically switches over to the "keep warm" setting.

The rice, of course, is much better than anything that I could make myself. I've used it about a dozen times and have been very happy with the results. Rice is cooked thoroughly but still firm and not sticky in the least. I don't hear sighs and see eyes rolling when I serve dinner lately. Seems I am not the only one who is happy with the Krups FDH212 10-Cup Rice Cooker.

Clean-up is simple. I put the bowl in the dishwasher and wipe the outside with a damp paper towel. There is a little vessel along the side that collects condensation that needs to be emptied after each use. That's all you need to do to clean this machine.

I should note that I haven't used this device to steam anything or as a slow cooker. I usually use a steamer basket in a regular pot if I want to steam veggies and I have two CrockPots for slow cooking. I don't plan to use it for anything other than rice.

Cost and Availability
I received this rice cooker as a Christmas present, so I don't know exactly how much it cost. From what I have found online, the average price is about $75. It is stocked at Macy's, Sears, Linens N Things, and at many sites online, so it isn't difficult to find.

Overall Opinion
In the past, I scoffed at the idea of an appliance created specifically to cook rice. To me, the whole thing sounded as silly as an automatic jar opener. After using it for a month, though, I have to admit that the Krups 10-Cup Rice Cooker is a huge help in the kitchen, at least for someone who is rice-challenged like me. Honestly, I wish I hadn't written off the whole concept when I first heard about it because I definitely could have used this machine years ago. Recommended!!