Question for Asian People (Rice Cookers)

[BDawg]

I'm not trying to be racist in this question at all. I just have the understanding that a lot of Asians own rice cookers (as seen in the "You might be Asian" thread) and might be able to give me some insight.


For my wedding, we were given a rice cooker. This thing is a POS. It's constantly either burning the rice, or making it soggy. Neither is desiered. I'm just going to assume that all rice cookers sold in the US are sub-standard POSes too.


Is there a place to order a real rice cooker from Asia? Do people who cook a lot of rice own an American machine, or do they have an Asian one? Can someone point me in the right direction? I'm not scared to spend money on a decent machine.


P.S. Yes, I know that most electronics sold here are made in Taiwan or Hong Kong. I just figure they only send the crappy ones to us.

 

[rudder]

just buy a damn pot. 1 cup rice, 2 cups water. bring to boil, reduce heat, simmer for 15 minutes. Viola, rice!

 

[Radiohead]

I don't think it's the rice cooker... you sure you're adding the right amount of water?

 

[BDawg]

Yeah, I've tried the plain pot approach too...I just suck at making rice...that and omlets. I can handle anything else.

If the Iron Chefs use rice cookers, they can't be too bad!

 

[stran]

heheh, i still cook rice the good 'ol traditional style, in a pot!

 

[HardcoreRobot]

Pots are nice, but a good rice cooker will keep rice at the perfect temp and consistency for days. I am about to purchase one for my apartment, and my asian friends suggested I go to china town to get it. There are large grocery stores that sell them, and any of the more expensive models will be good. I am going to get more detailed information later, once I am closer to buying it.

 

[luv2chill]

I'm not asian, but I love rice. And I own a rice cooker too, although it's not great. It works OK, but after doing some research, the best ones are the electronic (not just electric) ones that employ fuzzy logic technology. I have heard good things about models made by Zojirushi. Here's one that has gotten good reviews:

http://www.cooking.com/products/shprodde.asp?SKU=116325

As you'll see, the electronic ones are quite a lot more than simple electric models, but if you want perfectly cooked rice (like the kind you get at chinese restaurants), paying the extra $$ will be worth it.

l2c

 

[BDawg]

If I add the ammount the instructions call for (1:1 ratio), the rice is soggy. If I add much less, the rice is brown on the bottom, and a bitch to clean.

The one I have now is made by Salton (love their egg poacher)!

 

[gopunk]

as much as i hate to say it, japanese ones are pretty good. try to find an asian supermarket and ask for advice... i can't give you any specifics since i'm at work.

 

[MrDingleDangle]

no offense but i find it funny that u can't make rice or omeletes...i mean icant cook for sh!t, basically all i can make is pasta, but i didnt know it was possible to mess up rice and omeletes

 

[luv2chill]

MrDingleDangle,

I know it sounds crazy, but perfectly-cooked rice is quite difficult to get right (well, a lot more difficult than pasta anyway). People with a lot of experience can use the stove and be fine, but I speak from experience that it can be a real pain in the ass.

l2c

P.S. Can't say the same for omelettes though--I think those are pretty easy to make

 

[AaronP]

LOL, your thread title is HILLARIOUS.

 

[BDawg]

Yep, everyone has his Achille's Heel. I can cook anything and everything, but rice and omlets stymie me.

My omlets are just scrambled eggs with cheese and crab meat.

 

[MrDingleDangle]

<< MrDingleDangle,

I know it sounds crazy, but perfectly-cooked rice is quite difficult to get right (well, a lot more difficult than pasta anyway). People with a lot of experience can use the stove and be fine, but I speak from experience that it can be a real pain in the ass.

l2c

P.S. Can't say the same for omelettes though--I think those are pretty easy to make >>



trust me i understand, everything is an adventure when i start to cook, but it just struck me as humorous when advice needs to be given for cooking rice. I understand the rice cooker isnt working...just funny

 

[Tauren]

I have a Black &amp; Decker Vegetable Steamer/Rice Cooker and it works great. I have had 3 different rice cookers and they died within a year, so I decided to try B&amp;D combo and it is great.

 

[bigbootydaddy]

u cant make omlets??

dude, ive been making omlets since i was like 7.

booty

 

[Gibson486]

Go to a chinese grocery store and get the a rice cooker there. They might cost more, but they are better than teh ones you get at American stores.

Get one by the company &quot;National&quot;.

I never have to measure the amount of water I put in. I just put the water in staright from the faucet with out measuring.It comes out perfecr each time

 

[dcdomain]

May not be the cooker at all...

Here's a rule my mother taught me. After pouring in the cups of rice into the bowl, do this to measure the amount of water. Take a look at your fingers, palm facing you. See how all your fingers are divided into three sections? Let's call them the finger tip section, middle section and base section.

When I was younger, my mom would tell me to fill it up so that the water ABOVE the rice would fill up to the joint between the middle section and fingertip section. I've grown a lot since then, so I usually my pinky for that now. Oh and when measuring, don't stick your finger all the way down to the base of the rice pot, just enough so that your fingertip touches the top of the rice.

Sorry it sounds confusing, just ask if you have any questions.

 

[BDawg]

Dangit, now I'm really wanting some rice!!! Thank goodness that lunch is only an hour away...

I like my rice with shrimp, garlic, and tabasco!

 

[EagleKeeper]

A quality Rice cooker can usally be purchased at any oriental grocery store. Stay away from the KMart/Sears items. They will work but quality is not as good.

The heavy ceramic are better than the light weight metal units.

Expect to pay $75 for a good small system and upwards of $100+ for a good system that can handle a family of 6.

The good systems will have a vapor condensing section to catch the steam.

 

[simonthought]

You mind find that good ol' BROWN RICE is possibly a little easier to cook, plus it is a lot better for you.......

 

[BigSmooth]

My mom owns a restaurant. Most of her dishes include rice and I believe she is still using Zojirushi rice cookers. Zojirushi is based in Japan but they have a U.S. arm and the sell rice cookers at Costco, Amazon and other US stores. They are highly rated at Amazon, Epinions, etc. (a little poor on the cheapest models but what do you expect).

Personally, I have a cheap little Aroma cooker I bought at Costco a while back. For some reason, my rice always turns out perfectly while my gf always has problems with it.

Edit: I see l2c mentioned them above already. Guess I can't read.

 

[mchammer187]

Go with one of those Jap rice cookers I always make my rice in a pot tho and remember to wash (poor water in and stir the rice violently with ur hands and dump the water. repeat 3x) the rice before u cook it and it will taste a helluva lot better. I make all my rice in a pot it does require effort though. Fill the pot with water 1.5-2 inches above the rice. High heat till the most of the water evaporates (usually 12-18 mins for a large pot) and then turn it on low for 35-45 mins. Yummy

 

[Kelvrick]

All the advice about water you guys are giving him is wrong. Well, maybe right, but then wrong in general. I cook rice everyday (and eat it) and yea, the asian supermarket ones are better. You can't just add an inch and a half, it all depends on the amount of rice you ahve in there, and the brand of rice. Whenever my mom listens to some grocery lady and switches brands, it takes me a day or two to get used to the new amount of water I need to put in. Stick with one brand. Experience is key.

Also, about the brown rice. If you're using a rice cooker, it has 2 lights. Keeping warm, and cooking. Put the rice and water in, and press cook. Once the button pops and the warming light goes on, leave it in there for another 10 minutes. After that, take a pair of chopsticks or whatever and mix it up. Mix it good. After that, close the lid and leave for another 5 minutes on warm. Should come out ok.

 

[samgau]

You could always try a steam cooker... I use one and it works pretty good... lately though I've always been in a hurry so i've been using the boil in a bag rice... thsy even easier but definetly more expensive in the long run...