Rice Cookers / Microwaving Rice?

[Helena]

I'm content with cooking rice in a pan, really. But for travelling I might get a rice cooker.

I've never tried microwaving rice before----I know one can get microwavable rice, but I'd be into microwaving *brown* rice. Does it take very long? Does brown rice turn out okay in the microwave? If so, I might not need a rice cooker. (I don't own a microwave, so I'd be experimenting for the first time in a hotel.)

In case I do, any recommended models? I generally cook small batches of rice at a time---a large rice cooker isn't needed. I'm particularly interested in a rice cooker *without* a pot with a non-stick coating. I'm anti Teflon. A model that also doubles as a vegetable steamer would be ideal.

(I'm thinking Cuisinart here. Not sure if the pot is non-stick.)

[Michi8]

I use a Sanyo rice cooker. It has an aluminum bowl/pot (no teflon), and a keep warm switch. Super easy, foolproof and makes the best rice. I don't ever cook rice on the stove anymore (well, except for packaged mixes). The bowl and lid can be washed in the dishwasher too.

Michelle

[Nantzie]

I have a rice cooker that's specifically for use in the microwave. I haven't cooked rice any other way for years. It takes 15 minutes. The steam overflows though, and I just put a plate with a a few paper towels under it.

I probably got it at either Target or Walmart. It looks like this one Open Original Shared Link

[Michi8]

I have a rice cooker that's specifically for use in the microwave. I haven't cooked rice any other way for years. It takes 15 minutes. The steam overflows though, and I just put a plate with a a few paper towels under it.

I probably got it at either Target or Walmart. It looks like this one Open Original Shared Link

Just FYI...a standard rice cooker doesn't take much longer to cook rice (about 20 minutes is what it takes to make enough rice for a family of five) and it shouldn't steam over (have never had it happen in the 15 years I've used my rice cooker.

Michelle

[dionnek]

I love my rice cooker - you can cook whole meals in it (kind of like a crockpot, only quicker!) too - just throw in the rice, liquid, seasonings, veggies, meat, whatever and then hit "cook" and in about 20-30 minutes it's done! Mine came with a "cookbook" that had some suggestions, that's how I figured this out.

[tarnalberry]

We have a Zojurushi rice cooker. Not small, but it does have a handle for carrying. It's also pricey. I wouldn't ordinarily get a 3 figure rice cooker, yes, I know , but my husband wanted to know he'd always have perfect rice no matter what he did. And, yeah, you always get perfect rice, pretty much no matter what. No scorched or extra toasty stuff at the bottom, no soggy rice, it's just all good. And of course you can add extra stuff in. It's not up everyone's alley - I still wonder how he talked me into it - but it is a darn good rice cooker.

[breann6]

i have a veggie steamer that i use to steam rise at times. its fairly easy and straightforward to use. you could also buy one of those plug in hot burner things to carry- along with your own pot to work with.

this is a inexpensive (cheaper) Zojirushi model of rice cooker- which has an incredible reputation!

Open Original Shared Link

this is the one like what i have- the results of rice in it are somewhat inconsistant- sometimes the bottom layer of rice will be mushy- and hte top will be somewhat undercooked- but its great with veggies.

Open Original Shared Link

here is that hot burner thing-

Open Original Shared Link

hope this helps ya!

Breann

[Green12]

I got a hand me down rice cooker from my mom, it was old as the hills, but it made the best rice- perfect everytime. I'm not sure what the make or model of it though.

I recently got a cuisinart rice maker (the black and stainless steel model) and put the old one in a garage sale . I believe the inside is teflon, and haven't been real pleased with it. I only make brown rice, so Im not sure how it does with white rice, but with the brown rice it doesn't come out well at all- i.e. undone and crispy throughout.

Just my experiences anyway with the cuisinart, wish I had the old one back, and now I am cooking rice on the stove top in a pan

[Helena]

I knew this was the right place to go to get advice about rice cookers. Thanks!

I wasn't aware that you could get a rice cooker to put in the microwave . . . might be handy for travel, and I totally forgot about those portable burners. How do you make rice with a vegetable steamer? Is it easier than the regular boil and simmer method?

Re: the cuisinart--it is good to be forewarned! I haven't been 100% happy with the cuisinart coffee grinder I bought either (but then again I use it for a purpose it wasn't designed for--grinding uncooked rice).

One of my roommates when I lived in a university (apartment-style) residence had one of those zojirushi rice cookers. They're pretty fancy. I read a review of those neurofuzzy models in the Toronto Star the other day---apparently, they even make rice porridge. If it weren't for the issues I have with nonstick coatings I'd want one.

I'm going to keep my eye out for a Sanyo, teflon-free rice cooker. (I'm in Canada---it might be harder to find one here.)

I might get a rice cooker in the near future . . . for now, I think I'm going to go out and get one of those portable burners. I'm travelling over American Thanksgiving----there will be one day when I'll be cooking in a hotel. Other days I'll just have breakfast in the hotel and will be cooking the rest of my meals at my grandparents'. I'm used to travelling with food allergies, but having to cook dinners in hotels without being able to eat wheat along with some additional newly developed allergies is relatively new for me. Since my wheat allergy diagnosis, I've avoided going anywhere where I'd have to cook in a hotel. I did stay in a hotel for several days this summer, but each suite had a kitchenette. This time the hotels we're staying at have only a bar fridge and microwave, so wish me luck!

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Be aware that the rice cooker for the microwave is plastic. Yes, I know they say that it is microwave-safe--but that just means that it is safe for the plastic, . The plastic does break down from the microwaves and leaches chemicals into your food.

You CAN make rice in the microwave--but the electric rice cookers are just as quick, and very convenient.

I have a Zojirush, too, Michelle--I love it!

[clbevilacqua]

For traveling I have found this to be the easiest thing to do (although I have only tried this with white rice):

Get 2 large styrofoam coffee cups. Stack them together (for better insulation) and put in the rice and boiling water (don't microwave the water in the styrofoam cups they will melt eventually). Put on the lid and put a folded washcloth or hand towel on top (again, for insulation). Let it sit for several hours (I do mine overnight, then just put it in the room fridge) and it will be done. It takes longer this way, but it does work. It also works for buckwheat cereal-so with 4 styro cups/lids you can make breakfast & lunch!

[aikiducky]

Hey, you could use that method with a thermos can as well! Thanks fpr the tip!

Pauliina

[jaten]

Great tip re: rice in the styrofoam/thermos! Great ideas. This makes me think perhaps for the water you could just run water through the coffee maker! I bet that would be hot enough and then insulate the rice and water with the styrofoam or thermos. I'm traveling a LOT in the next couple of months. Thanks for the new ideas.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

I've done minute rice (they do make a brown rice, too) by using an immersion coil in a ceramic coffee cup--that takes up very little space in the luggage! But sometimes immersion coils burn out, so you need to carry a spare.

[rinne]

I think I must be reading this topic out of nostalgia, I can't eat rice anymore or at least for now.

I do have a tip for short grain brown rice and that is to soak it over night or even for a few hours, you will need to adjust the amount of water slightly if you are cooking large amounts but if it just one cup it should be okay. This was standard practice at a vegetarian restaurant I worked at called Greens in San Fransico, and believe me vegetarians know their rice. I'm also thinking that if you were going to do the thermos method this might help the white rice cook faster.

I would definitely go for a rice cooker or a really good thermos.

[Michi8]

I'm going to keep my eye out for a Sanyo, teflon-free rice cooker. (I'm in Canada---it might be harder to find one here.)

My Sanyo rice cooked is from Canada (since that is where is live ). Go to Sanyo.ca to see all the appliances they offer...they've got rice cookers at all sorts of price points.

Michelle

[Helena]

I would never have thought of the styrofoam/thermos method. And I wasn't aware of the existence of those immerseable coils. Good point about the plastic--I don't generally use a microwave but I do when travelling. I appreciate all the great travel tips!

Thanks for suggesting Sanyo, Michelle! I'm very impressed with that company. I called them to verify that their non-stick coating is not Teflon or plastic. The coating on the computerized models is titanium--he said that they aren't certain about the ingredients of the alloy that is used so there is a possibility that it could contain some plastic. But the coating is nonreactive and durable. So in short it is not Teflon---I'm sold on the product. I've been doing some research on this, and this is the only rice cooker I've seen without a regular "non-stick" coating (which I take it *is* some form of Teflon.)

There aren't too many stores in my neck of the woods that sell those rice cookers, but it looks like I can order one from at least one place. People in the US can order a rice cooker over the internet---I have relatives in the States, so I can always have it sent to them.

For the long haul, I want one of those very cool Sanyo machines. They seem to be similar in design and function to the Zojirushi (sp?) ones. Apparently they steam veggies too. It's not cheap, but I eat so much rice. . . . and I justify extra food-related expenses by going through the whole litany of foods I'm deprived of

If I don't manage to get my hands on a Sanyo, I do have a thermos (although I haven't seen it since I've moved . . .will have to do some digging.) That immersable coil sounds like a good idea too for trips when space in the car is at a premium.