Rice Cookers?

[Alchemisst]

I wonder if you're better off getting one of those clay rice pots for the stove for easier cleanup/ probably better rice and less bacteria? Definitely not as easy/ set and forget as a rice cooker though, unless you setup some kind of auto off switch on the stovetop?

[GilesMM]

You're probably OK on the bacteria front if you keep it hot enough . . . but given that making rice from scratch takes no more than what, 15 minutes?  It seems like kinda a waste of power to have a heater running non-stop for that purpose.

We don't consider it a waste to save 15 minutes cooking rice and 5 minutes clean-up 2-3 times per day. The rice cooker electricity would cost us around $20/year if we didn't have solar.

[GuitarStv]

You're probably OK on the bacteria front if you keep it hot enough . . . but given that making rice from scratch takes no more than what, 15 minutes?  It seems like kinda a waste of power to have a heater running non-stop for that purpose.

We don't consider it a waste to save 15 minutes cooking rice and 5 minutes clean-up 2-3 times per day. The rice cooker electricity would cost us around $20/year if we didn't have solar.

Rice cookers draw 400 watts on average - https://www.electricalclassroom.com/power-energy-usage-of-rice-cooker-steamer/

So, that works out to about 9.6 kWh per 24 hours of running it.

In the US, average electricity rates are 14 -16 cents per kWh (https://www.bls.gov/regions/midwest/data/averageenergyprices_selectedareas_table.htm).

Which works out to 1.34 - 1.54$ a day . . . or 489.10 - 562.10 dollars each year.


I guess not all that expensive in the grand scheme of things.  I'm kinda impressed that you're able to shovel down rice breakfast, noon, and night every day.  :P

[GilesMM]

You're probably OK on the bacteria front if you keep it hot enough . . . but given that making rice from scratch takes no more than what, 15 minutes?  It seems like kinda a waste of power to have a heater running non-stop for that purpose.

We don't consider it a waste to save 15 minutes cooking rice and 5 minutes clean-up 2-3 times per day. The rice cooker electricity would cost us around $20/year if we didn't have solar.

Rice cookers draw 400 watts on average - https://www.electricalclassroom.com/power-energy-usage-of-rice-cooker-steamer/

So, that works out to about 9.6 kWh per 24 hours of running it.

In the US, average electricity rates are 14 -16 cents per kWh (https://www.bls.gov/regions/midwest/data/averageenergyprices_selectedareas_table.htm).

Which works out to 1.34 - 1.54$ a day . . . or 489.10 - 562.10 dollars each year.


I guess not all that expensive in the grand scheme of things.  I'm kinda impressed that you're able to shovel down rice breakfast, noon, and night every day.  :P

Correct except the machine is on "cook" for pnly 20 minutes a couple days per week. The rest of the time is on warming mode which uses about 1/10th the electricity, so your numbers are off by an order of magnitude.

You would, apparently, be surprised to learn that about half the planet eats rice at every meal.  Not everyone survives on pizza and hamburgers, you know.

[nancy33]

Zojirushi we have had ours for over 20 years. Keeps the rice hot and ready to eat for 2 days. Makes good brown rice too.

[MiatAccountant]

If anyone is considering, Zorjirushi IH 5.5 cup (NP-HCC10XH) in on sale at Amazon and Macy's right now for $229.50+tax (yes, this is a good price for this model).

I've used this specific model for about 20 years. Recently purchased the Zojirushi the high end pressure model. Both are good and definitely worth it for my family as we eat rice constantly, day and night. I understand it may not be worth for some as they are expensive but the convenience and consistency is worth every penny for us.

[Extramedium]

I bought a simple Zojirushi one in 1993 that I still use regularly today.  I keep thinking I'll need to replace it, but it's working fine.  30 years.

[Alchemisst]

Zojirushi we have had ours for over 20 years. Keeps the rice hot and ready to eat for 2 days. Makes good brown rice too.

Is it ok to leave it on the warm mode for days? I've never left it for more than a few hours but would be much more convenient if I could.

[GilesMM]

Zojirushi we have had ours for over 20 years. Keeps the rice hot and ready to eat for 2 days. Makes good brown rice too.

Is it ok to leave it on the warm mode for days? I've never left it for more than a few hours but would be much more convenient if I could.

Ours is in warm mode 24/7.  If the rice stays moist and hot the unit is well-sealed.

[Alchemisst]

Zojirushi we have had ours for over 20 years. Keeps the rice hot and ready to eat for 2 days. Makes good brown rice too.

Is it ok to leave it on the warm mode for days? I've never left it for more than a few hours but would be much more convenient if I could.

Ours is in warm mode 24/7.  If the rice stays moist and hot the unit is well-sealed.

For how long though?

[GilesMM]

Zojirushi we have had ours for over 20 years. Keeps the rice hot and ready to eat for 2 days. Makes good brown rice too.

Is it ok to leave it on the warm mode for days? I've never left it for more than a few hours but would be much more convenient if I could.

Ours is in warm mode 24/7.  If the rice stays moist and hot the unit is well-sealed.

For how long though?

For how long what? Rice gets dry after about five days I guess but it is usually eaten by then.

[Alchemisst]

Zojirushi we have had ours for over 20 years. Keeps the rice hot and ready to eat for 2 days. Makes good brown rice too.

Is it ok to leave it on the warm mode for days? I've never left it for more than a few hours but would be much more convenient if I could.

Ours is in warm mode 24/7.  If the rice stays moist and hot the unit is well-sealed.

For how long though?

For how long what? Rice gets dry after about five days I guess but it is usually eaten by then.

Yeah I mean how long is it ok to leave it on warm? 5 days?

[TomTX]

Instant Pot works great.

[dang1]

Rice cooked in bamboo tubes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iScqxlnh1E&ab_channel=VietnamNews

[clifp]

If you don't own a rice cooker in Hawaii, you risk being voted off the island, and being shipped to someplace cold in December.
$30 is a small price to pay to avoid frostbite.

[Alchemisst]

I have done some more research and it seems most rice cookers contain teflon, I found one called Tatung rice cooker that is stainless steel and has great reviews but doesn't seem to sell in many places. Any thoughts on these or teflon ones?

[nereo]

I have done some more research and it seems most rice cookers contain teflon, I found one called Tatung rice cooker that is stainless steel and has great reviews but doesn't seem to sell in many places. Any thoughts on these or teflon ones?

My thoughts are: never use Teflon for cooking.

We are going to look back on Teflon cladding a few decades after it gets banned and wonder why on earth we ever accepted that as ok.

[Sandi_k]

I have done some more research and it seems most rice cookers contain teflon, I found one called Tatung rice cooker that is stainless steel and has great reviews but doesn't seem to sell in many places. Any thoughts on these or teflon ones?

No teflon.

As a couple who makes rice bowls once a week or so, we've been happy with a microwave rice cooker. Personally, I hate appliances on the counter, except for the toaster and the coffee pot.

Advantages: add water and rice, and cook; no stirring or burning. Plus, the ceramic pot and lid can be thrown in the dishwasher for easy cleanup.

Like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Style-Donabe-Rice-Cooker/dp/B01KNKNVDE/ref=asc_df_B01KNKNVDE?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80058307953560&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583657835629360&psc=1