Rice Cooker
By Dyske February 8th, 2008
I’ve never owned a rice cooker before. I think this is rather strange for an Asian person. A few month ago, I bought my first electric rice cooker, and I have to say it’s quite amazing. I used to use a pressure-cooker to make rice, but it was very difficult to get it right. The biggest problem was how unevenly it cooked, especially when you cook a lot (like more than 4 cups). The bottom would be burnt no matter what I tried.
My theory is that each grain of rice acts as an insulator of heat, so when you cook it from the bottom, the heat doesn’t transfer to the top. Since you cannot stir rice as you cook, it’s hard to get around this problem. So, an electric rice cooker that can distribute the heat evenly can cook it really well. Now I’m wondering why I never bought one before.
Abi says:
February 11th, 2008 at 5:36 pmWorking in Thai/Chinese Restaurant you sort of get attached to the food. In my case I’ve become very attached to rice. White steamed rice in my case. So an electric rice cooker sounds like an awesome home appliance to have at my house. Perhaps I’ll buy one now!
Machida001 says:
February 15th, 2008 at 2:15 pmI highly recommend Zojirushi brand!
Jojo says:
February 18th, 2008 at 9:52 amI use a microwave rice cooker – its awesome and great for just cooking one or two cups (my electric rice cooker tends to burn only small amounts of rice…sad but true)
Alex says:
February 23rd, 2008 at 4:17 amYeah, I love my electric rice cooker. I’m living in China right now and it’s just so convenient to have one. I almost want to bring it home with me when I go back to the US later, but then I’d have to deal with plugs and voltage, or whatever. I bought a little one because I live at home and it’s so sweet. I have actually burned rice before but it’s only because I switched it back to “cook” after it had done it’s switch off thing to “warm.” I’m also in love with the fact that I can steam dumplings in the top. So yeah, I’m with you.
Camille says:
February 25th, 2008 at 9:32 amElectronic rice cooker is so convenient of course. But I preper to rice cooked by pressure-cooker. it tastes better. Perhaps you would know ’cause you used both of them. When you get bottom burnt(only a little), just put some water and boil it for a while. Then you can make more delicious food. I don’t know what it’s called for English, but I am sure you’re going to love it!
Matthew Ota says:
April 10th, 2008 at 11:31 pmAt the age of 51, I have used rice cookers for so long that I no longer know how to cook rice without one. My mother used to do it the old fashioned way with a pot and water and a gas range. I have no idea how she managed to cook it.
I eat rice almost every day. I love to put chili on it, even Campbell’s soup is good on it.
catahe says:
April 12th, 2008 at 2:37 pmI am 57 have a rice cooker and honestly use it more like cooking on top of stove. Steaming just doesn’t seem to cook it like the old fashioned way did.
Liz says:
April 15th, 2008 at 10:29 pmI’m a college student and I don’t know what I would do without my rice cooker. I had to buy one from wal-mart but hated it so my mom got me an actual rice cooker and my roommate and I use it almost everyday
kaliyanei says:
April 19th, 2008 at 9:45 amAre there any non-electric, yet convenient rice cookers available?
Can you prepare unpeeled rice (i.e. not white) properly with a cooker?
Cho go says:
April 21st, 2008 at 2:25 pmRice Culture
I swear by a good rice cooker. I grew up in the US and as in many typical Caucasian households; a rice cooker was for from a standard kitchen appliance. My Mom cooked rice, in a pot of boiling water. The word “pot luck” may have come from this practice, as sometimes you were lucky and rice was good and sometimes you weren’t so lucky.
Back then some Americans tried instant rice, to make things easier. I was never fond of the stuff, but ate it from time to time, never really paying much attention to the type or quality of rice. However after spending 4 years in rice culture (Japan) instant rice is about as appealing as instant meat.
Now days I am about as picky in the type of rice I like (which varies by food that it is to accompany) as I am in the way it is prepared; dryness, stickiness sweetness and texture all varying by degree depending on the application.
Interestingly enough the Italians have almost as many types of noodles, all with varying differences in wheat and starch content as well as shape and size. Each is “designed” to enhance the flavor of each dish. Noodles however, do not cook well in a rice cooker.
Cj says:
June 17th, 2008 at 10:42 pmI love my rice cooker (hugs her zojirushi). My mother would always say that she’s never quite full unless she had her rice for the day. Heck, after she ate a BigMac she was still hungry. At first I couldn’t understand her. However, when I was in college, I began to see why. It was like I was in rice withdrawal. Bread…cha’ right! All the bagels, dinner rolls, baked potatoes couldn’t satiate me. Rice was rarely offered in the cafeteria. So at least twice a week, I would order my fix of white rice from the nearest Chinese restaurant.
lovie says:
June 25th, 2008 at 1:10 pmhaha its not strange for an asian person to own a household eletric rice cooker at all!
in fact a rice cooker is a must have in an asian home and most families have one! lol~
Ariel says:
June 26th, 2008 at 7:52 pmKaliyanei said: “Are there any non-electric, yet convenient rice cookers available? Can you prepare unpeeled rice (i.e. not white) properly with a cooker?”
I had the same question earlier, but after doing some research at Wize.com, I was able to find a durable and easy to use rice cooker that managed to prepare brown rice as well as white rice! I was very surprised, but am happy with my purchase. It was a little expensive, but very sturdy and seems good for big family gatherings.
http://wize.com/rice-cookers-and-steamers/for/brown-rice/737
Britannia Cookers says:
August 4th, 2008 at 5:37 pmI think pressure cookers are more versatile than people give them credit for, it’s just a matter of using your brain. Afterall, it’s just a pot that gets hot!
Gregg Pizzaro says:
September 20th, 2011 at 4:40 amThank you for this good post! I found also this other article about cooking rice. Maybe you should check it out! http://www.bestforchef.com/2011/09/19/cooking-rice-takes-time-to-learn/
Sarah says:
January 25th, 2012 at 1:23 amI have used a rice cooker for many years and I love it. I use mine to cook other grains as well and to steam veggies.
Usługi rachunkowo księgowe says:
June 14th, 2015 at 5:53 pmArtykuł napisany przez Ciebie w 100 procentach wyjaśnia cały temat tekstu. Me zdanie jest takie samo.