Pablo Luna
A Rice cooker is used to boil rice. It has three main components: a cooking bowl, thermostat, and wire which connect to the heating source. The thermostat controls the heat capacity of the rice cooker. Rice cookers were first made in Japan. They are famous among the tourists who visit Japan. Most people would love to buy it, but they are confused about what to buy because of the wide list of Japanese rice cookers available.
Typically, rice is boiled by heating a water-filled dish up to the boiling point of water, and then rice is added to it. After heating them for about 10 minutes, the rice is ready. But who would like to stand in front of the stove if the rice cooker is available? The rice cooker, on the other hand, uses a completely different method to boil the rice perfectly.
How does the rice cooker work?
The cooking bowl of the rice cooker is filled with water and rice. There are no specifications for adding cold or hot water. The temperature of the rice cooker is turned to maximum. As the heat increases, the water is absorbed by the rice, and they get fluffy. When the water is fully absorbed, the rice is ready to be eaten.
The thermostat of the rice cooker is auto-regulated with the water level. As the water level diminishes, the thermostat trips itself, and the sensor’s light turns off, indicating that the rice has been cooked.
Timing of rice cooker
The time in which the rice cooker cooks the rice is dependent upon many factors like the quantity of rice, room temperature, and the age and quality of rice cooker heaters. If it is a pressure cooker, then the external temperature will have no effect on your rice cooking activity. If the quantity of rice is high, it will take more time and vice versa. Similarly, if the heater age is more, it would take more time. If the quality of the heater is good, it will take less time to cook, obviously.
Benefits of Japanese rice cookers
Japanese rice cookers are famous for their quality. They boil good quality rice perfectly no matter how much quantity you require. The automatic heat regulation system in them prevents the rice from being burnt or sticky. If you are inexperienced with making rice, simply get yourself a rice cooker, and your problem would be solved in no time.
Types and technology of Japanese rice cookers
The two types of rice cookers are based upon their heating mechanism. The microcomputer rice cooker uses an electric heater to boil the rice directly. The IH rice cookers, on the other hand, are aided by electromagnetic power to heat the cooking bowl and boil the rice perfectly. The IH rice cookers are thought to be better as they cook the rice evenly.
It is because of the reason that they use a clay pot or the walls of the bowl are clay-coated, which does not allow the heat to leave the cooker, and as the heat is absorbed by all the walls equally, it means that it is divided equally into all sides.
Another type of rice cooker is the microprocessor cooker. They work by heating the inner sides of cooking bowls only; they do not affect the hard texture of rice even when cooking at a high temperature and fast timing. If you like hard and separate rice grains, then this rice cooker is just right for you.
How to select the right rice cooker for you?
While selecting the right type of rice cooker for you, keep the following things in mind:
- The inner bowl of the rice cooker should be detachable, so it becomes easier to clean.
- The bowl should be coated with clay so that the heat is distributed equally throughout the rice.
- Check the company if it is made in Japan.
- Check its price if it is feasible for you.
- Check its age and quality.
- Check the kind of technology used in it. It shows whether it is a new model or not.
- The prices differ with sizes; it is advisable to get a standard size of the rice cooker. The larger it is, the more electricity it will consume.
