It totally worked! I made a version of your recipe (thank you!!) and did everything in the rice cooker. I will never go back.
I stuck some oil in there and let it heat up, added the onions, cumin and chili powder and let that cook for a minute. Then I added the rice, tomatoes (the Mexican blend- they were 50 cents at Target last week!), a little tomato paste, beer, and water. I threw in some salt and some tobasco, set it, and walked away. When it popped, I added the beans and let them hang out for a while and done.
Perfecto! Only one pot to clean and I didn't have to think about it.
I also made my quesadilla in the oven, which I have never done before, and I will continue to do that from now on as well.
Re: Smock!
Do it, Smock. The rice cooker is there to make our lives easier.
The beer added a nice flavor. I think you should give that a try too. It's Drunken Smock Rice!