How many people own a rice cooker?

[bright eyed]

Growing up we always had a rice cooker in the house, it was constantly on - as it was always being eaten by someone - like someone else mentioned - can't do that with stove top rice. Most of the asian brands have a "warmer" setting so you can cook it and leave it in the cooker - after about 24 hours it is a bit browned on the bottom but usually it is already eaten!

I only cook rice a couple times a month at most! But last year my parents bought the rolls royce of rice cookers - I was laughing - it is like a robot. It talks to you, can cook 20 or more kinds of rice (levels of sticky-ness, brown rice, sushi rice etc)...it scares my kids when it talks or releases steam... i think it was over $500...

Here's a commercial for it - look how happy it will make you!

YouTube - cuckoo rice cooker

[Sue J]

I cook rice in a saucepan and it comes out fine. I love brown rice and wild rice. For white I use Jasmine rice.

I have a steamer and it came with a rice cooking basket. I tried it once but didn't continue to use it because it took up counter space when I can easily use the stove.

Now that I've read everyone else's comments I may dig out the rice basket and instruction book and give this another try. The steamer is kept handy in a cupboard and I use it all the time for vegetables or clams or shrimp, just not for rice.

[modhatter]

Uh Oh, I think I'm responsible for Amazon selling a few extra rice cookers in the last 24 hours.

[MasterBlaster]

Woman Killed By Rice Cooker:

Quote:

Pattaya Police were notified on the 20th February that a woman had been died from receiving an electric shock at a store on Walking Street. Officers went to the convenience store to find the body of 24 years old Miss Sureerat, who worked as assistant manager. Her co-worker, 32 year old Sureeporn told the police that they were cooking rice in the electric rice cooker when Sureerat pulled the plug out of the socket and received a shock. On examination, officers found the lead around the plug was very frayed and potentially dangerous. The body was taken away for an autopsy and relatives will be notified of the sad incident.

[MasterBlaster]

If you don't have the best, at least you can accessorize !

[Fireup2020]

Mine is a little cheapo that is now about 15 years old - closest I could find on Amazon is this one: Amazon.com: Salton RA3A 3-Cup Rice Cooker: Kitchen & Dining

Been so long since I cooked rice on a stove, I might mess it up! I had a roommate who had one, and it was so handy for all rice varieties, I had to get one once no longer living there!

[Meadbh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by W2R I am tempted! I just went to Amazon and that Panasonic rice cooker is attractive. The one I am looking at is inexpensive, small, and it can cook just one cup of rice if desired. Reviewers say it is easy to clean. I may order it also if I can think of someplace to store it.

Here is a review of the one I have. I can't find a picture of it online, so perhaps it's not made anymore. I've had it for probably 16 years. It's extremely easy to use, can be used to cook eggs, fish, vegetables, or rice, and is perfect for one person. So Sunday I cooked veggies in it (mmmm!) and tonight, basmati rice.

Proctor Silex Vegetable Steamer/Rice Cooker is simply versatile! - Proctor Silex Vegetable Steamer/Rice Cooker Model C36507 - Viewpoints

[Mmm Rrr]

I've been using the same cheapie for 20 years --- I have a ball of aluminum foil stored inside it that I use to prop up a missing leg! I use it at least once a week.

The thing I love about a rice cooker is that it makes cooking rice a no-brainer. I'm usually putting my energy and thought into cooking whatever is going with the rice. To know that perfect rice is waiting (and not deteriorating) lets me enjoy the cooking more.

[W2R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meadbh Here is a review of the one I have. I can't find a picture of it online, so perhaps it's not made anymore. I've had it for probably 16 years. It's extremely easy to use, can be used to cook eggs, fish, vegetables, or rice, and is perfect for one person. So Sunday I cooked veggies in it (mmmm!) and tonight, basmati rice. Proctor Silex Vegetable Steamer/Rice Cooker is simply versatile! - Proctor Silex Vegetable Steamer/Rice Cooker Model C36507 - Viewpoints

Thanks, Meadbh! That sounds like a really good one, and it's nice to know that it will work for one person. So many kitchen appliances seem to be better suited to cooking for a small army.

[BigMoneyJim]

I used to own a cheap rice cooker, but it only made plain rice. If I put stock or anything else in, the bottom would burn. Also it was more of a pain to clean than a pot. And it took up too much room in my apartment kitchen.

Tip: It doesn't hurt to put too much liquid in. When it's done, drain the rice like pasta, fluff it, and it will steam off the rest for perfect rice.

Can't maintain proper heat on the stovetop? Preheat oven to 350 degrees F while bringing liquid to boil, add rice, bring to boil again, put in oven covered. leave the pot in the warm oven if for the "stay warm" function. (Turn oven off or turn down to, say, 200F.)

I peek. With white rice you can see the difference between the translucent cooked parts and the white uncooked part in the center when it's not yet done.

[ERD50]

I reported earlier that my white rice on the stove top always comes out great. I don't cook brown rice very often, but wanted it for a meal tonight, and googling brought up this:

http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipe...ect-Brown-Rice

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMoneyJim Tip: It doesn't hurt to put too much liquid in. When it's done, drain the rice like pasta, fluff it, and it will steam off the rest for perfect rice.

And that is what this recipe does, to an extreme. It seemed strange to me, but you boil the rice in a LOT of liquid (3 Quarts water for 1 cup dry rice). It says boil for 30 minutes, I lost track so tasted/tested as I went along, and drained it when it was just slightly less than fully done (probably 30 minutes though). Drain, put back covered but unheated for 10 minutes, then I stirred in saute'd mushrooms, scallions, and some toasted pecans, no salt or other seasonings and it was really good.

The rest of the meal was even better, like high-end restaurant good (according to DW, and even myself and I'm my worst critic), cheap ingredients and pretty easy. Maybe I'll post to the recipe thread later.

-ERD50

[Moscyn]

I have a Philips rice cooker for 15 years but before that I cooked rice in a normal pot and then graduated to cooking in microwave. I now use the rice cooker at least twice a week. I boil white rice or once in a long while, I do a chicken rice. I can boil congee with it but prefer to use a thermos pot with the congee.

[lhamo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by W2R I am tempted! I just went to Amazon and that Panasonic rice cooker is attractive. The one I am looking at is inexpensive, small, and it can cook just one cup of rice if desired. Reviewers say it is easy to clean. I may order it also if I can think of someplace to store it.

Come over to the dark side of rice-cooker-ownership, WR2 -- you know you want to!

[insert evil darth vader breathing sounds when reading that...]

lhamo

[Dimsumkid]

For those of you looking to buy one, check out Costco, they carry one made by Aroma for only $29.99 (Chicago area price). It's pretty nice, the color is white, has a setting for brown rice, steams and has a non stick coated inside for those of you that don't cleaning out the leftover hardened rice. Best of all, it's backed by Costco's guarantee.

[modhatter]

You beat me to the news Dimsumkid. I just got back from Costco and saw them. I bought one as a gift. Great deal.
They were my second choice for cooker. Could not resist getting one at that price and it is very versatile. Has all the goodies on it.

I have used my Samsung ($110 ) twice now. I steamed some eggs, and cooked some great short grain white rice I got from Asian store. It was fantastic.

The cooker made it easy as pie. I just bought some more challenging long grain brown rice tonight. Anxious to see how that comes out. Also going to make bread pudding in it. Then steam some vegetables. Such fun. My life must be dull.

[Rambler]

We have 4 of them. 2 in Japan and 2 in the US...DW is Japanese...the 4th was my reward for 25 years at megacorp. It is by far the best of those we own, induction heating and fuzzy logic. And yes, the rice cooker you use does make a big difference to those who really love their rice. So, why do we have 4 of them? Well, a rice cooker does best when it cooks close to capacity. So, when it is just the two of us, we use the small one. When we have a huge crowd, we use the big 10 cup cooker. The best thing about these rice cookers, IMO, is that you just have to use the included cup to measure your rice (not your household measuring cup...the cup size is different!), rinse the rice (unless you are using rice that is "no-wash"), fill with water to the appropriate line for the number of cups of rice you put in, and hit the right switch. The fuzzy logic kind of cooker adjusts cooking time based on temperature and pressure. Te length of time required to bring it to the appropriate temperature changes with the amount of rice and water in the pot.

R

[Janet H]

Last night I tried cooking red quinoa in my rice cooker (y'all have inspired me). It was perfect and easy. What do you think about non-stick vs, standard aluminum inserts?

[RetirementColdHardTruth]

i have a $7.99 rice cooker. It has worked flawlessly for well over 5 years. We cook rice every day to mix in with the dog food for our 17 year old dog. We always have rice for dinner as well.

Save your money get a cheap one.

[audreyh1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by East Texas <sigh> I knew I should not have clicked on this thread. I love rice. I make rice in a pan and every time it's a challenge of being too sticky, not done, and sometimes - just right. I just bought a basic little 3.3 Cup Panasonic off Amazon. It will probably be here the first part of next week. Do any of you rinse the rice before using your rice cooker? If so, does it really make a difference in cooking or is it just to diminish the frothing?

I have the Panasonic 3.3 cup - $25 on Amazon. It works great for smaller quantities. I usually cook 1.5 cups of rice. Usually brown long grain. The cooker does 1 cup very well. I don't dare do more than 2 - if it gets too full, it can get messy!

On the rice cooker you usually use a little less water than on the stove top. That has been the trickiest part for me - learning how much water to use. Also - when the rice cooker is done, it's best to let it still sit for 10 minutes before opening to let it finish steaming.

I don't bother rinsing my rice. I like my rice fine without.

I think if you rinse it, it will be a little less starchy/sticky. You should try it to see if you prefer it rinsed.

Diminish the frothing - I think adding a wee bit of oil may help that. I usually do - pinch of salt, wee bit of olive oil. Otherwise - a little frothing does not bother me.

I also sometimes use part chicken broth, throw in some crumbled saffron threads and stir in some frozen green peas (1/4 cup). Makes a lovely yellow "spanish style" rice - with an awesome perfume.

Audrey

[spncity]

Quote:

Originally Posted by WM I am thinking about replacing my old-style pressure cooker (with the weight that sits on top) with a newer model.

My father-in-law gave me a Kuhn Rikon pressure cooker and it is a dream. And so quiet!