Panasonic SR-W18PB Rice Cooker/Steamer Review

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(More customer reviews)After contemplating buying a rice cooker for a few weeks, I decided I would buy an entry level rice cooker. This came from the epiphany I had while eating another flavorless serving of instant brown rice. Being a bachelor, I need a way to prepare rice easily and quickly, so instant rice had been my choice for some years.
I had read several buying guides and reviews online, and knew I wanted the following features:
- It had to be under [price]. Being I had never cooked with a rice cooker, I did not want to spend too much money buying something I might not use or like.
- It had to have a non-stick surface on the pot
- It had to be by a reputible Japanese brand
- It had to have a steaming tray
- It had to be small, being I would only be cooking for myself
This model fit all the criteria. The rice comes out fantastic. I learned that although the owner's manual may say to use 1.25 cups of water for each cup of rice, the rice comes out too dry and even burns on the bottom. Using 2 cups of water to each cup of rice corrected this. I have so far cooked brown and basmati rice with the cooker and they both were excellent. I soak the rice for thirty minutes, then turn on the cooker. After about 20 to 30 minutes, the cooker turns off, and I have delicious, hot, moist, healthy rice.
This is a great, small, basic, and inexpensive cooker. Nothing fancy, just good rice. I know I will upgrade to a fancier model in the future, but for now, this Panasonic one is just fine.

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Cooks up to 10 cups dried rice or steams lots of foodNonstick pan releases rice and cleans easily; will saute foodAutomatically switches to keep-warm when rice is cookedKeeps food warm up to four hours600 watts; 11 inches in diameter 13 inches high (including steamer basket)

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KidCo PeaPod Portable Self-Inflating Travel Bed - Lime Review

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(More customer reviews)I originally got online to search for a baby tent to use at the beach, and then my eye fell on the pea pod travel bed. I got it in the mail just in time for a weekend music festival, where it more than proved its worth. We used it in the pop-up camper for bedtime, outside in the shade during naps, and even took it down for the baby to lay/play in while we listened to music. Very light and portable, I found it easy to fold, and although I bought it for my 3month old baby, my three year old found it novel and took a couple naps in it himself. Since then we've taken it to friends houses so we can put the baby to bed there, and she plays in it happily in the kitchen floor while I cook.... it's soooo much nicer/lighter/more space efficient to haul along than a pack and play. Not made exactly for beach cover, but it keeps her out of the sand and we drape a towel over or place the pod under the umbrella. Anyway, I am really happy with the functionability and travel-friendliness of this item.

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KidCo's PeaPod -- the travel bed that does it all for the on-the-go parent! Features a great self-inflatable air mattress that helps protect baby from cold, damp floors while providing a comforting place to sleep. Great for outdoors because of its UV protection and wind screens. Zippered panel allows parents quick and easy access to baby from virtually any angle. The slick, easy-to-fold design makes it ideal for storage and use anytime.
Features:
Self-inflatable air mattress
UV protection and wind screens
Zippered panel for quick and easy access
Easy-to-fold design
Open Dimensions:47"L x 30"W x 19"H
Storage Bag Dimensions:14"L x 5"W x 14"H

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Panasonic SRG06FG 3.3-Cup Automatic Rice Cooker Review

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(More customer reviews)Fast easy no fuss way to make rice in a snap. The directions are a little Engrish-y. But in a nutshell:
Scoop out your desired rice amount say 2 cups(using the enclosed scoop).
Rinse the rice a few times in a strainer to get some of the starch out--help it from making a bubbly mess and I find it makes better sticky rice.
1.Dump rice in cooker.
2.Add water to the proper line. Two cups of rice means you add water up to the fill line 2. And yes you put in the water after the rice is already in there.
3.Turn on, wait 15 minutes for the cooker to shut off and let the rice sit unmolested for 15 minutes before eating. = perfect rice.
The directions also recommend soaking the rice for 30 minutes before turning the cooker on, I never do and the rice turns out perfect...let the steam do the work and don't stir or take the lid off while cooking.
Super easy clean up since the unit is non-stick. Can't ask for more at the price. I love mine.
Update: It's June 2008 and mine is still working great. I now don't even bother to rinse the rice first and I've never had my cooker bubble over. For making brown rice, I add a little more water than normal, say 1/4 cup.
Update: 2010, still works great and after running it (the cooker base insert) through the dishwasher all these years it has not yet chipped or scratched or flaked. Also found out the cooker works great with Vigo brands pre-packed Red Beans and Rice or Black Beans and Rice 8oz bags. (1 packet = fill line #2 of water)

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Fully automatic rice cooker/steamer makes up to 6.6 cups of cooked rice, Tempered glass lid allows for monitoring food while it's cooking; auto shut-off, Non-stick coated pan helps prevent cooked rice from sticking; stay-cool handles, included.

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