Free Your Time and Make Cooking Easier, Rice Cooker Benefits

Greetings! We know you are curious on the amazing wonders of a genius kitchen equipment called the rice cooker. So today, we will explore what are the benefits of a rice cooker and why it is a must having one.

The Wonders of Rice Cookers

This amazing automated kitchen appliance can make your cooking and life much easier. It is used to cook or steam rice, that is, basically prepare any type of rice grain according to your liking.

A basic rice cooker consists of a heat source and a thermostat with a cooking bowl. The first electronic commercial rice cooker was introduced back in 1945 by a Japanese company Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.

However, this wasn’t the first time a device of this sort was created. Something similar but far less developed appeared in 1937 and it was just a wooden box with attached electrodes that were supposed to cook the rice.

The Japanese electronic rice cooker was followed by the first automated appliance of this kind, introduced by the Toshiba Corporation in 1956. Ever since then, rice cookers became popular all over the world.

Luckily, the technology has largely advanced and today we have a variety of rice cookers that are designed to make cooking easier and more efficient.

Benefits of a Rice Cooker

By now you’re probably wondering why you would need a rice cooker when you can simply cook rice on the stove? Well, there are many advantages that come along with using a rice cooker.Bonu

For starters, you never have to worry about your rice being overcooked, uncooked or, in the worst case scenario, burned completely.

Versatile

Rice cookers simply follow a simple cooking principle: On and Off. Modern rice cookers are also using multi-function settings which can cook several recipes.

There is no need for you to endure tiring and helpless kitchen time. Rice cookers allow you to schedule cooking and have the rice ready at a specific time.

Bonus part of having a rice cooker is that it lets you cook other great dishes too. No more messy pans and pots because a rice cooker has easy cleanup.

Keep Rice Warm

Many rice cookers come with the keep warm feature, which is another great benefit that makes this appliance much more convenient than the stove.

One thing you should keep in mind, however, is that the keep warm function should never be on longer than 12 hours.

Modern day rice cookers do the warming while you multitask.

Perfect Rice, All the Time

Moving on, a rice cooker cooks rice consistently and keep every grain separate. You can even get the perfect rice like in Chinese restaurants!

Many of these appliances come with a measuring cup to make the cooking process easier.

Most brands have their own cups that are very easy to use. Apart from cups you will also get a manual on how to achieve perfect rice all the time.

Any Rice Types

Another great rice cooker benefit is cooking different rice grains. If your problem before is adjusting the water level when cooking brown rice, now you don’t have to worry about it anymore.

Most rice cookers have different rice grain cooking options such as: white rice, jasmine, basmati rice, brown rice, red rice, and even legumes like lentils and barley.

The Micom Technology

As you can see, there are plenty of advantages to using a rice cooker instead of the stove. One of the greatest advantages is the micom technology of the modern rice cooker appliances.

This technology involves the use of a microcomputer (hence the name “micom”). The microcomputers deal with adjusting the temperature and the cooking time, as well as program the rice soaking if necessary.

This type of technology ensures even heat distribution for more precise cooking, which leads to better quality in the end.

Most importantly, rice cookers can now “think” on its own. You simply plug it in and move on with other household chores.

How to Use a Rice Cooker

A rice cooker will definitely make things easier and less complicated in the kitchen. You can even cook different dishes such as sushi, fried rice, rice pudding, and more.

1. Start by measuring rice with the cup included in the rice cooker box. Rinse the rise until free from dusts and starches.
2. Then you need to add cold water (not hot water) with the correct water to rice ratio. Remember to check the labels on which grains you are using for the correct water levels.
3. Make sure all grains are pushed into water and add flavorings to the rice such as salt, oil or butter. This is optional.
4. Next, turn the cooker on, push the right button and you’re done! The rice cooker will automatically shut off and keep rice warm until you are ready to serve.
5. When the rice is done, let it cool for about ten minutes and fluff with fork or spatula. Serve.

Watch this great video tutorial on how to use a rice cooker:

Summary

You have just learned the overwhelming benefits and purpose of rice cookers. It simply makes cooking easier and leaves you confident in cooking rice and other rice dishes.

We are thankful that rice cooker technology is evolving. Today, there are so many technologies involved in rice cookers. There are stainless steel inner rice cooker inner pots, clay, ceramic and even aluminum for healthier choices.

All you have to do is put it in the cooker, press a few buttons and you’re done! If you have any experiences with rice cookers that you’d like to share, please do so in the comments below!