7 Best Clay Pots for Cooking Rice!

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By Ashley Woodward • Last Updated: February 16, 2023

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Here are 7 types of clay pots for cooking rice that can be used instead of rice cookers! We’ve also compiled information on the appeal of cooking rice in clay pots, as well as information on how to use clay pots, such as how to cook rice and how to stop the cooking process. Let’s use clay pots and enjoy fluffy and delicious rice.

What is the charm of cooking rice in a clay pot?

Cooking rice in a clay pot has a lot of charms. First of all, it cooks rice faster than cooking it in a rice cooker.

While it takes about an hour to cook rice in a rice cooker, cooking rice in a clay pot takes less than 40 minutes, including steaming time.

It is also said that rice cooked in a clay pot is fluffier and tastier than rice cooked in a rice cooker. The way clay pots conduct heat is suitable for drawing out the umami elements from the rice, making it more delicious than rice cooked in a rice cooker.

Earthenware cookers are able to cook rice in a short amount of time and still produce a fluffy, delicious result. If you usually cook rice in a rice cooker, why not try cooking rice in a clay pot?

How to cook rice using a clay pot

How to cook rice using a clay pot

Here is a simple explanation of how to cook rice in a clay pot. If you are wondering, “How do I cook rice in a clay pot?” If you are wondering how to cook rice in a clay pot, please refer to this page.

Wash and soak rice before cooking

First, before you cook the rice, you need to soak it properly. The appropriate amount of time varies depending on the season, with 30 minutes in summer and one hour in winter.

Once the rice is sufficiently soaked, drain it thoroughly using a colander.

When the water has drained off, transfer the rice to an earthenware pot and fill it with water, 400ml for 2 cups or 600ml for 3 cups.

Put on medium heat and cook over low heat for 15 minutes

Next, bring the clay pot to a boil over medium heat. Heat slowly over medium heat, not high heat. Once it starts to boil, lower the heat to low and cook for 15 minutes.

If you can’t read the boiling timing, you can check by opening the lid. You may be wondering, “Will it cook on low heat?” But clay pots have excellent heat retention properties, so you can cook the rice over low heat without worry.

Heat over medium heat for 10 seconds and steam for 10 minutes

After 15 minutes of cooking on low heat, open the lid and check inside. If you see bubbles on the surface of the rice, it’s a sign that the water has not completely drained out, so leave the pan on low heat for an additional 1-2 minutes and check again.

Once you are satisfied that the water has evaporated, return the heat to medium and cook for 10 seconds, once the 10 seconds are up, remove the earthenware pot from the heat and let it steam for 10 minutes and your delicious rice is ready.

How to stop the clay pot from clogging up

How to stop the clay pot from clogging up

Before you start using a clay pot, there is one thing you must do. That is “lookout” (to stop the pot from cracking, leaking, or smelling). Lookout refers to the process used to prevent cracks, water leakage, and the transfer of odors from the earthenware pot.

If you start to use a pot without sealing it, various problems can occur, such as cracks forming as you use it, or odors getting stuck in the fine-grained parts and becoming difficult to remove.

Therefore, after you buy a clay pot, you must always seal it before you start to use it. Here, we will explain how to do this, so please take a look at it for reference.

Dry thoroughly after rinsing

First, wash the clay pot in water and dry it thoroughly. The key here is to dry it well. If there is even a small amount of moisture left inside the pot, there is a possibility that it will crack when it is put on the fire. It would be a shame to see your earthenware pot crack, so dry it carefully!

Fill with water up to the eighth part and put 1/5 of flour or potato starch.

After drying thoroughly, fill the earthenware pot with water up to the eighth part of the pot and add flour or potato starch to it, about 1/5 of the water. You can also use rice.

These ingredients will serve to block the eyes of the earthenware pot. You may want to make use of leftover rice or other ingredients since you will have to throw them away later.

Heat over low heat without the lid on for 1 hour

Next, cook uncovered over low heat for 1 hour. Since it is uncovered, make sure there are no spills.

After an hour, turn off the heat and leave to cool. It will take a little longer, but don’t be in a hurry! Hold tight and wait until it cools naturally.

Wash with water and dry thoroughly

Once the clay pot has finished cooling, discard the contents and wash it with water. After washing with water, dry it thoroughly as in the first step.

This completes the “lookout” process! Not only clay pots for cooking rice but also general clay pots can be used in the same procedure.

One last note: the method of lookout varies slightly depending on the type of clay and the firing method. Therefore, please be sure to check the instruction manual of the clay pot you have purchased before you do anything.

How to choose a clay pot for cooking rice

How to choose a clay pot for cooking rice

Even though you can cook delicious rice in a clay pot, you don’t know which product is best for you. There are many people who are worried about this.

For those people, we have compiled a list of how to choose an earthenware pot for cooking rice! If you are wondering how to choose the right product, please refer to this!

1. Check whether it is compatible with induction or only with gas stoves

First of all, you should check the heat source of the clay pot, such as whether it is compatible with induction or only with gas stoves.

In fact, most clay pots for cooking rice are designed to be used over an open flame. If you want an induction-compatible clay pot, you need to look for one that can also be used for cooking rice.

There are slight differences in the way they cook rice, but they can cook it the same way, so if the only heat source in your home is induction, look for products like the ones mentioned below!

2. check how many cups to cook

The number of cups of the clay pot is another important thing to check. The number of cups of rice that can be cooked in a clay pot for cooking rice is often stated in the product details.

When cooking rice in a typical clay pot, it is said that about 60% of the capacity is enough to cook rice without it spilling over.

3. Choose by manufacturer

Clay pots for cooking rice are sold by a variety of manufacturers, so we recommend that you choose a product with a particular manufacturer in mind.

Each manufacturer has its own characteristics, such as Hario, which is famous as a heat-resistant glass manufacturer, and Haseien, which continues to carry on the traditions and techniques of Iga ware pottery, so it’s interesting to dig deeper

If you use a clay pot for cooking rice made by a manufacturer that you like, it’s likely to make you feel like cooking more!

recommended clay pots for rice cooking

7 recommended clay pots for rice cooking

We will now introduce seven types of clay pots for cooking rice that we recommend. We have compiled a wide range of clay pots for cooking rice, including products from manufacturers such as Hario and Haseien, as well as some products that are attractive. If you’re thinking about cooking rice in a clay pot, please take a look!

1. Hario’s glass rice cooker

This is a clay pot for cooking rice sold by the heat-resistant glass manufacturer Hario. The lid is made of glass, so you can see what’s going on inside while the rice is cooking.

Another great point is that there is no need to adjust the heat. Heat the rice on high heat for about 10 minutes, and when the whistle sounds, continue to heat the rice on high heat for 1 minute, and then steam it for 15 minutes.

2. Daikoku Furnace Banko Ware Rice Pot

This clay pot for cooking rice has a smart and attractive appearance. Following the Hario product we introduced earlier, this one doesn’t require any adjustment of the heat level, and the cooking time is only 9 minutes!

This earthenware pot for cooking rice cooks 2 cups and is compact in size, so it’s perfect for people who like to cook rice frequently.

3. Japanese Donabe Rice Cooker

This is product is Made in Mie, which is sold by IPPINKA Store, a manufacturer famous for its Iga ware. Iga clay has excellent water absorbency, so the cooked rice is not sticky. Even after the rice has cooled down, it is not sticky, so you can eat delicious rice.

It is a work of art that resembles a double-shaped earthenware and has lovely curves and gentle shapes throughout its overall appearance. In addition, the rice tastes significantly better as compared to that produced by traditional rice cookers.

4. DONABE Double Lid Clay Rice Cooker

This clay pot for cooking rice has an attractive appearance full of Japanese style. The most attractive thing about this product is that it is reasonably priced! Compared to the other products introduced here, you can get it at a lower price, so it is recommended for those who are buying an earthenware pot for cooking rice for the first time.

Of course, just because the price is low doesn’t mean the quality is bad. It takes some getting used to, but you can rest assured that you will be able to cook delicious rice.

5. Japanese Donabe Rice Cooker with Non-Stick Coating

This pot for cooking rice has a simple and stylish Scandinavian look. This product is perfect for cooking brown rice as well as regular rice and is suitable for cooking 1.5 cups of brown rice and 1 to 3 cups of regular rice.

Another appeal of this product is that it cooks brown rice without destroying the nutrients contained in brown rice as much as possible. We highly recommend this clay pot for cooking brown rice to health-conscious people.

6. Lotus Blue Ceramic Clay Pot

This is a clay pot for cooking rice made from Lotus Blue Store. These ceramic clay pots are highly heat resistant, so they can be used on gas stoves as well as in microwave ovens and ovens. It can be cooked in a wide range of ways, so you can enjoy a variety of dishes♪

The incredible feature of this pot is the lid, which has three tiny holes in it for steam ventilation as a result when cooking at a very high temperature the lid will not rattle. It has a nice appearance on the inside and the exterior. It heats up almost as quickly as enameled cast iron and keeps the heat as well as stoneware. It is significantly less sticky than an enameled cast iron or stainless steel pan.

7. Iga-Mono Kamadosan Clay Rice Cooker

This clay pot, known as a Kamado-san in Japan, is considered to be one of the most popular clay pots and can cook 4 cups of rice. It is not too big and not too small, so it is the perfect size not only for people who live alone but also for couples.

Another appealing feature is that you can place a rice spoon in the slit in the handle. You don’t have to worry about where to put your rice ladle.

Let’s taste the fluffy and delicious rice made in a clay pot!

We have introduced a wide range of information about cooking rice in clay pots, including the appeal of clay pots, how to cook rice using clay pots, and recommended best clay pots for cooking rice. Did you find any of our favorite products or information that you think might be useful?

It is said that cooking rice in a clay pot makes the rice tastier and fluffier than cooking it in a rice cooker. If you want to eat delicious rice, please give it a try!