I just got this today and made my first batch of rice. I think the cooker did a pretty good job. However, if you don't stir it towards the end of the cooking time or when most of the water has evaporated, the rice will brown on the bottom. So it's not a set it and forget it operation. But I like the cooker since I can saute onions and garlic in the bowl before adding the rice. I made a modified version of the chicken and spinach risotto recipe that comes with the cooker, and it turned out really good. I used regular long grain rice, a handful of frozen cut spinach, and added steamed shrimp which I steamed in the basket while the rice was cooking. The cooker automatically switches to warm once the water has evaporated but more water can be added and the cycle restarted if necessary. I think I will find this very useful for making quick one pot meals.
To help keep the starch from bubbling up and spraying out of the vent hole, rinse the rice thoroughly and drain. Heat a small amount of olive oil in the rice bowl, once the oil is heated, carefully add the rice and saute it for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the water and continue cooking. Rinsing alone will not prevent the starch from accumulating. I'm not a food scientist and I can't offer a scientific explanation, but something happens to the starch when the rice is sauteed or lightly toasted before steaming and it won't bubble up and out of the vent hole. For a change of pace, I saute onions and garlic in the bowl first and then just put the rice in and saute it along with the other ingredients before adding the water. To jazz it up a bit, I may add a pinch or two of turmeric (to make the rice yellow) to the water and a handful of peas. The possibilities are endless with this little cooker.