The cooker opens by pressing the white button on the front, and the plastic exterior is well-insulated from heat. These are key safety features that can help prevent burns. In addition, Go Grains uses similar sensor technology as much more expensive rice cookers, has a healthy non-stick coating, and comes in pretty colors instead of the standard gray metal. My first bowl of Jasmine rice came out great - soft, fluffy, slightly sticky, with each individual grain still distinguishable, without being too hard or dry.