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Rice can be a great complement to a family meal, but cooking rice on the top of the stove can lead to a gooey paste or rice stuck to the side of the pan leading to mealtime embarrassment and disaster. Sure you can always substitute instant rice, but a much better option can be the purchase of a rice cooker. Since the first rice cooker was introduced in Japan in 1955, rice cookers have become essential appliance in many homes. In addition to cooking rice, you can use a rice cooker for vegetables, soups, stews and hot cereal. The needs for cooking rice are simple. You need water, and you need heat. In short, put the rice in water, bring it to a boil, let it absorb the water and then let it rest. You can do this on the stove where you have to constantly watch the pot to keep it from boiling over and sticking. Or you can purchase a rice cooker that will do this job for you. The basic structure of a rice cooker has a main body, an inner cooking pan, an electric heating place, a heat sensing device and controls. The two basic types of rice cooker are the basic on/off model which is as simple as it sounds. You turn it on, then you turn it off when the rice is done. The other type is the fuzzy logic model. The fuzzy logic models will automatically shut off once the rice is done. Additionally, you can program a fuzzy logic model up to 24-hours in advance. To use a rice cooker effectively, there are several things you should consider. Wash the rice before you cook it. There is a rinse-free variety, but otherwise you want to wash the rice to remove any remaining particles left from production. Rinsing the rice can also help get rid of any excess starch that would tend to make the rice sticky. Note that if you buy a larger, fully-automated rice cooker, it may rinse the rice for you. Your rice cooker will probably come with a measuring cup. Keep it. Measurements can vary depending on the country where your rice cooker was manufactured. Plus, there's likely that there will be an optimum fill level for your appliance. Using too much or too little rice may mean that you're not satisfied with the outcome. Water amounts for cooking may also vary with the type of rice cooker. When you're shopping for a rice cooker consider the features and size you need. Higher end models of rice cookers will have advanced features and programs that you may or may not need or want. These include a way to keep your rice warm and ready to eat, the ability to speed up cooking time, the option to reheat rice or to set a timer for the rice to begin cooking. These features will likely add to your purchase price. Your other consideration is how much rice you need to prepare at a time. If you're single and living alone, you don't need a large capacity rice cooker. As noted above, cooking smaller amounts of rice in a large cooker may affect the taste. Most models range in size from 3 cups to 10 cups. Options for the cooking pan vary from aluminum and stainless steel to charcoal and clay. That becomes a matter of personal preference. Helpful features include things like a see-through lid, a steam vent to prevent your food from boiling over, and measuring lines inside the cooking pan. Lawrence Reaves writes for Hamilton Beach, a kitchen appliance company that offers a selection of products ranging from rice cookers to slow cookers and blenders. For more information on rice cookers visit our site here.
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