What exactly is a rice cooker?

[erinyyc]

I've read many posts on rice cookers, but none that explain (for us gadget impaired http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif) exactly what they are? I make rice 2-3 times a week and it never turns out the same way twice! It's either too mushy, under cooked, starchy etc. I've rinsed it first, added the rice before boiling, added it after boiling, and still it's never quite as light and fluffy as it should be. Could someone please explain how a rice cooker works. Much appreciated, thanks!
Erin http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Marcie]

There are different types, but I'll describe mine to you. It's an aluminum pan (about sauce pan size) that sits in a larger metal pan, sort of the way a ceramic crock pot sits in its metal holder. In the bottom of the metal pan is a heating element. Come to think of it, it's VERY much like a crock pot. Inside of the aluminum pan there are measurement guides for amounts of rice and water. You just fill it up with rice and water to the appropriate line, put on the metal lid (it has a teeny vent hole), and press "cook." When the cooking cycle is done, it clicks over to its "warm" setting, which finishes steaming the rice.

It's a great gadget because you really can't mess it up, it doesn't take up a burner on your stove, and the timing isn't fussy at all - you can just let it sit there holding the warm rice until dinner is ready.

I love my rice cooker, but there are lots of suggestions on this BB about cooking perfect rice the stovetop way, so if you decide you can do without the gadget, try doing a search here. If you're looking for an excuse to buy a new toy, I say go for it.

[Tiger]

Erin
I make my rice in my rice and veg. steamer. It always comes out good. It's something I use alot. I steam fresh veggies in there too. They're so tasty I don't even add salt or butter. In fact my son will only eat his veggies plan because that's what he's use to. Very healthy!
For me this was a good investment. I hope this helps.

[JLS]

I have one that sounds just like Marcies. I bought it at a garage sale for $1. I usually use a 2:1 ratio of water to rice. And it always turns out perfect, with one touch of the "on" button. It takes about 20 min.

I only use it for white rice, I haven't mastered the ratio for brown yet.

[This message has been edited by JLS (edited 01-29-2001).]

[luv2cook]

I had good success in cooking brown rice in the microwave in one of those Tupperware containers. The rice cooker, I think, give you more a rice-rice vs. a softer, mushier rice I always seemed to get when I did it the stovetop way.

OH. The rice cooker cooks brown rice in 20 min. vs. 40...if you want the name of mine, let me know...

[erinyyc]

Thanks for all the advice everyone!! I've tried ALL of the stove top suggestions that have been posted, with no luck. I think a rice cooker would be the right choice for me. Any brand name suggestions would be very helpful! Thanks sooo much.
Erin http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Curleytop]

Originally posted by JLS:
I have one that sounds just like Marcies. I bought it at a garage sale for $1. I usually use a 2:1 ratio of water to rice. And it always turns out perfect, with one touch of the "on" button. It takes about 20 min.

I only use it for white rice, I haven't mastered the ratio for brown yet.

[This message has been edited by JLS (edited 01-29-2001).]

I have had my rice cooker for about 30 years!
My Cooker does not have the "warm" feature.
I use it for brown rice all the time. Just
use 1 cup rice and 2 cups of water. My pot was bought in a Japanse store in W. Los Angeles, and it didn't even have English directions :P Give it a try!

[hhcowgirl]

I LOVE MY RICE COOKER! Mine has a special feature where you can place spices or even viinegar or wine in this little basket in the middle and it will infuse the rice or veggies that you are cooking.

[mightyh]

I'd recommend the Zojirushi brand of rice cookers... I think I got mine at cooking.com or amazon.com and it's great!

[Angelina]

I have a rice cooker, but I rarely use it. And when I cook rice on the stove, it turns out great each time! I just follow the directions on the rice box. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil, dump in 1 cup of rice, cover and lower to a simmer, and let it simmer away for 20 minutes. So simple and it never fails. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Maura]

My rice cooker was a cheapy gift from a friend, who swears by it, and he's right. It's a plastic microwave rice cooker...I've seen them in Target-type stores for <$10. Makes perfect, fluffy rice every time!

[BarrieCov]

hhcowgirl -

What kind of rice cooker do you have? The ones I've seen do not allow you to put spices or broth in the cooker, and I've always found that too restrictive for me, since I like seasoned rice.

Would love to know, so that I can get that one!