If you have kids, it can be really bad. One in eight cases of asthma are caused by gas stoves.

Same here within the brands, although some will be dirtier than others, after washing it clean it tastes about the same.

I usually end up getting the big 50# bags from Costco, either jasmine for medium grain or calrose for short grain.

One thing to keep in mind is that a lot of rice cookers aren't made, or at least don't have instructions for super long grain rices like basmati.