Yep, I hand washed my dishes for about 20 years. Lol. Had drying racks and everything. Now, it’s funny…even though I have a dishwasher, the good stuff never goes in it.

Believe me I thought it was ridiculous to even wash rice and never did it. I would just scoop it out of the bag with my measuring cup, chucked it in my Aroma, added water to the desired line, and pressed cook! And to be honest what came out was “rice”. But it was by no means excellent rice. The difference—because after all, we are talking about rice….just simple, old, dependable rice, goes like this: For about 15 years I drove a 1990 Honda accord DX. This car was like my unwashed Aroma Rice. 240,000 miles, Dependable, took me across the country twice, did what it’s was asked to do, not too fast, not too slow, nothing special, radio stopped working, a/c went out, rear door handle came off, and it was definitely unwashed and filthy. But yet, it was still a car, and it still got me around. And I drove it in that condition for years. Then after that decade or so I was able to buy a brand spankin new 2014 Honda Civic SI with zero miles. Everything worked perfect! The A/C pumped out cold air, the doors all opened and shut, the sound system was great, and the car performed like a dream! It was beautiful, to me. I would go out for drives…just to drive! And it was jet black, so I washed it…a lot.

I learned to appreciate.

But in the end, it fundamentally did what my Accord had done for years. I took me from point A to B. But the difference was the enjoyment while underway.

That is the difference in properly washed rice.

I’ve had the cooker for about a year. No scratches. I only hand wash it, and only use the paddle that comes with it.

Sure. To clean it I just hand wash it using the soft side of regular sponge(as opposed to the Brillo side) and a little soap. Honestly, it doesn’t take too much pressure at all as everything just slides out. I haven’t used micro fiber towels for that specific purpose, but I assume they would work just fine. And then, from what I understand, during shipping the rice jostles around and flakes into a fine powder, or a rice flour. If you cook the rice in water that contains a lot of this “rice flour” it behaves just like any flour would and thickens the liquid it’s in and ultimately creates a more mushy, congealed lump of cooked rice as opposed to each individual grain being distinct. So the “texture” of the rice is much more enjoyable if it is thoroughly washed. This process along with using a high quality rice cooker that cooks it evenly has made a big difference in the quality I have experienced. Also without the addition of the rice flour clean up is much easier. I hope that helps.

I cannot stress enough how much better and more consistent my Zojirushi cooks the rice as compared to the many Aroma $30 rice cookers I’ve had in the past. But here’s the real trick. Do yourself a favor and, if you don’t already have one, get yourself a quality rice washing bowl…like 10 bucks….and wash the crap out of your rice before you cook it. Like clear water when your done washing your rice kind of wash the crap out of your rice…..who knows maybe that is all you really have to do to make a bad cooker cook good.

Canada Goose Expedition Parka in red, with the fur and the classic disc. Shouldn’t have to worry about the specifics. Winter, keeps you hot. Spring-keeps you dry. Summer-keeps your skin from burning. Fall-you can watch the Canadian geese fly south knowing full well how stupid they are because if they had your jacket the trip wouldn’t be necessary.

The whole unit will last forever. Each black Berkey Filter filters 3,000 gallons and then needs to be replaced. So ask about how long they have had it and about how many times they fill it per day. Should give you a good estimate on the filter life. Also, make sure they haven’t been running softened water through it as the sodium from that process can ruin the filter elements.

I don’t actually think there are any “gotchas” that come to mind. It’s a pretty simple system where any part of it can be replaced easily.

I’ve had a Big Berkey for about 5 years and it has been one of the best investments I’ve ever made. I’ve done a total filter replacement once. We typically run about two gallons through it a day.

If the unit has been sitting unused and dry for a while I would check the rubber washers to make sure they haven’t dried out. Honestly I would just buy a new set of filters which have new washers included and call it a day.

You won’t be disappointed. These are Awesome.

There are a few different kinds of hoodies they make. I’d say with from what you explained you need stick towards the, Golden Wave, Silver Wave, Blackout, Ice, Eclipse, or Crimson Wave. The other like the Heavy Or the Kilo while superbly built have quite a bit of stitching that might not work for your situation. Oh and unless you want it form fitting order a size up.

Origin. It’s a clothing company out of Maine. They source and manufacture everything right here in the U.S. Their standard hoodie is the softest I’ve ever put on. I am 100% impressed. So much so I now own four. I air dry them after a wash so maybe that keeps the “new” feeling longer but regardless….excellent product. I honestly have not worn a more comfortable sweatshirt in my entire life.