Traditional sushi rice ("*meshi*") is defined by *both* the stickiness of its rice but *also* its lack of gumminess. Each grain of rice is supposed to remain distinct. The final component of sushi-meshi is of course the application of vinegar, which is supposed to evenly coat the outside of every grain. Proper application of vinegar is not possible unless the grains remain distinct. Therefore, if the rice is overcooked or cooked too slowly, water will have more time to penetrate and the starches will have too much time to swell, causing it will turn into a sticky mess with indistinct rice grains. Furthermore, basmati rice can't be used for traditional sushi-meshi because it doesn't have enough amylopectin (the starch in rice that makes it sticky/"glutinous"). Glutinous rice (which has 100% amylopectin and virtually no amylose) *is* used for ketupat but *isn't* used for sushi-meshi, since it is *too* sticky. There is nothing culinarily wrong with using a slow cooker to make rice; if it tastes good, eat it! In fact, a quick web search reveals many recipes. [Here is also an answer to a relevant question][1]. But I don't see a way of making sushi (for which there are relatively strict traditions and definitions) using a slow cooker. **Edit:** To answer your specific question… > Would slow-cooking destroy taste or scent quality of the rice? The distinct aromatic scent of basmati rice comes from [2-Acetyl-1-pyrroline][2], which is also formed from the [Maillard reactions][3]. Since the Maillard reactions happen at a much higher temperature than that at which your rice cooks, <strike>I would *guess* that those flavor compounds would not be harmed by using a slow cooker</strike>. **Edit #2:** According to [this study][4], 2-Acetyl-1-pyrroline is highly volatile and absorption in rice can be hindered by excess water and/or long cooking times. This suggests that using a slow cooker to prepare basmati may produce less aromatic rice than using a quicker, dryer method like steaming. As an interesting side note, the study also suggests that this aroma can be intensified by adding [pandan leaves][5] while cooking the rice. [1]: http://cooking.stackexchange.com/a/15326/5600 [2]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2-Acetyl-1-pyrroline [3]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maillard_reaction [4]: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211601X11001106 [5]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandanus_amaryllifolius