I think the actual message of 'Get a simple rice cooker' often gets heard as 'Get a cheap rice cooker' which is not quite correct. You don't need a rice cooker

I think the actual message of 'Get a simple rice cooker' often gets heard as 'Get a cheap rice cooker' which is not quite correct. You don't need a rice cooker that has two dozen different functions and some 'Neuro Fuzzy Logic' crap. But you do want a well-built rice cooker that wont break down and rust on you. Your best bet for a decent cheap rice cooker is your local asian market. The bigger ones will likely have quite a selection, but even your dinky little chinatown grocery store will probably have something quite usable.