Rice cooker
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A rice cooker or rice steamer is a self-contained electrical
appliance, used primarily for cooking rice. There are also
microwave, gas, and open flame variants.
The preparation of rice has traditionally been a tricky cooking
process that requires accurate timing, and errors can result in
inedible undercooked or burnt rice. Rice cookers aim to avoid these
problems by automatically controlling the heat and timing in the
preparation of the rice, while at the same time freeing up a heating
element on the range. Although the rice cooker does not necessarily
speed the cooking process, the cook's involvement in cooking rice
with a rice cooker is significantly reduced and simplified. |
Typically, a rice cooker contains an insulated outer container
containing a heating element, into which is fitted a non-stick or
teflon-coated inner removable bowl, which often has graduations
marked in cups of rice (white). Whereas less expensive and older
models use simple electronics and mechanical and thermal sensors,
high-end rice cookers use microchips to control the cooking process
and often incorporate a timer which can be used to set the desired
"ready time". Many rice cookers can keep rice warm safely for up to
24 hours. This helps to avoid the dangers of food poisoning due to
Bacillus cereus. Rice cookers, when purchased, normally include a
small "cup" measure and a plastic paddle for serving the cooked
rice.
Restaurants that serve a lot of rice, particularly those
specializing in Asian cuisine, often use industrial size rice
cookers that quickly and cheaply produce large quantities of cooked
rice. A rice cooker is a standard appliance in kitchens around the
world, especially in Asian countries. Small, basic rice cookers can
be purchased in the US at discount retailers often for as low as
$10-$15, and units with large capacity and different selectable
electronically-controlled cooking cycles can cost up to $100 or
more. The bowl in the rice cooker is usually removable, and beneath
it lies a spring and thermostat. These form the main components of
the rice cooker. The spring in the bottom is simply to ensure
contact of the thermostat to the base of the cooking bowl. During
cooking the mixture is continuously heated. The temperature cannot
go above the boiling point of water—100°C (212°F)—as any energy put
into the system at that point will only cause the water to boil. At
the end of cooking all of the water will have been evaporated or
absorbed by the rice. Once the heating continues past this point,
the temperature exceeds the boiling point. The thermostat then
trips, and switches the rice cooker to "warm" mode, keeping the rice
no cooler than approximately 65°C (150°F). Simple rice cookers, like
the one below, may simply turn off at this point.
To cook white rice, the rice is measured and added to the inner
bowl. Cold water is measured and added or simply added up to the
appropriate graduation in the inner bowl. Sometimes there are
separate scales for brown rice (as more water is required) or for
cooking other foods in the appliance. Once the lid is closed and the
cooking cycle has been activated, the rice cooker does the rest.
Fancy models give a countdown in minutes to the "ready time," and
beep when done, whereas less expensive and older models simply click
or ring a bell when done.
Rice cookers are typically used for the preparation of plain or
lightly seasoned rice, but more elaborate recipes are possible using
a rice cooker, and there are cookbooks devoted entirely to dishes
prepared using a rice cooker. One of the more unexpected dishes that
can be made in a rice cooker is a beef stew. By simply adding
ingredients and setting it to "warm", a rice cooker would cook that
at about 65°C (150°F). In few hours, the stew is fully cooked and
ready to eat.
Some rice cookers are designed to accommodate a basket above the
rice. This basket is generally used to steam vegetables, holding
them in the steam coming off the rice.
Some vegan cooks consider rice cookers to be an invaluable tool in
the preparation of vegan meals. They find it extremely versatile,
allowing a variety of meals to be cooked with minimal preparation
and no attention during the cooking process. |
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