What are the benefits of using a dedicated rice cooker, rather than just cooking rice in a pot?
Yes there are benefits! This is one of my most used pieces of kitchen equipments. Here is a list of benefits for a quality rice cooker:


Never burns rice
No guess measurements for all kinds of rice
Scheduled cooking
Keep warm settings
Uniform cooking


When I cook rice on my stove, even at the lowest of heats, I get a thin layer of rice that has overcooked stuck to the bottom of the pot.

For the record I have the Zojirushi 5-1/2 cup induction rice cooker. Best thing ever.