Instant Pot Zest 8 Cup One Touch Rice Cooker, From the...

Most Helpful Review

"First I have owned at 3qt Instant Pot for 4 years. I recently had to purchase a new cord (think I got it wet) but no other issues. I have never used it as a pressure cooker but use it weekly to cook lentils or braise chicken. I love I can sear & then braise skinless boneless chicken using the slow cooker function in 35-45 mins. I am not using the oven & I don't have to babysit the stovetop & my chicken comes out flavorful and juicy.After much research and based on my Instant Pot experience, I decided to give the Zest a try.I bought this Instant Zest to replace a Green Life 4 cup Rice & Grain Cooker, which worked great & I gave to family. I need to make more than 4 cups for meal prep most weeks and I was tired of making multiple batches of rice.On the negative side, I was disappointed in the Steamer Tray. I use only Stainless Steel, Cast Iron or Ceramic Coated Cook/Bakeware. Why give me a Ceramic Coated Bowl when you also give me a Plastic Steamer Tray? The Plastic Steamer Tray was left in the original box along with the Plastic Rice Paddle.On the positive side, I made a small rice test batch first.I used Basmati Rice, rinsed it til clear water & then let it soak in clean cool water 20-30 min. I used "2 rice cooker cups" (each equals 3/4 cup in US measurement) or 3/4+3/4 = 1 1/2 cups of uncooked rice. I added 1 1/4 cup of water for each 3/4 cup of uncooked rice. So added 2 1/2 total cups total of water. I did bloom Saffron in some of the water I added.I added the Rice then Water into the pot & stirred. Plugged it in & turned on machine by pushing 'White Rice' button. My old Green Life always gave me great fluffy rice in 25 mins for the same amount of rice. The Zest was over 30 minutes, so not bad. I did like how there was a countdown starting at the 10 min mark.Opened lid when beeped. Perfect, fluffy rice with no burning or stickiness. That little amount of rice had separated & fluffed up to 3/4 of the pot. I could have used a paper towel to wipe down the clean bowl but I did a hand wash.I loved my Green Life but this 1st try in the Zest was better. The rice was very tender and absorbed the Saffron evenly. I could have eaten the rice straight out of the machine but I spooned it into a bowl added Chicken Chunks & some Veggies & a quickly put together Asian style Sauce. I put less rice in my dinner bowl than usual but I felt I had eaten more. Dinner made for several more meal times.I gave 4 Stars because of the PLASTIC Steamer Tray. Also, this was my 1st time using the Instant Zest. I will probably Update this post once I have used it for a while. I still need to try my generic Long Grain Rice, Oatmeal & Sushi Rice in the Zest.Again, best Basmati Rice I have ever made, all fluffy & tender. And I did not have any water leaked on my counter - all dry below."