I got this rice cooker used at Goodwill yesterday for $4.99. I have been wanting to try a rice cooker for years, but didn't feel I could afford one. I have just cooked my first batch of brown rice, and so far so good. I did know to rinse it and soak for 30 minutes, so didn't have any foaming. I knew it was done when the lovely smell of rice spread through the house to the room I was working in. I never noticed that rice smells good before -- guess I was heretofor stuck in the hot kitchen with the boiling pot -- too close to appreciate it! Thanks for all the good advice. I've read through many of the reviews and they are more helpful than the product manual, which I accessed through the internet.