Rice Cookers Keep Dying

awdavgds on 26/04/2023 - 19:42
Last edited 27/04/2023 - 10:29 by 1 other user

Ok I am in need of help/advice please.

I have purchased a Rice Cooker from The Good Guys (the Kambrook Rice cooker) it was around $45. It lasted all but 4 cooks and died. So then I tried Bacarat from House. This cost me $99 and lasted all of 10 cooks and hs also now died.

Now…..I thought perhaps I am doing something wrong but I follow the guide to a tea. I place 1 cup of rice to 1 cup of water (typically I do 3 cups of rice at a time). I flick the switch on to cook. After 15 minutes they flick themselves to warm mode and thats it.

I can;t see what I am doing wrong so have concluded Rice Cookers I have purchased so far are either crap OR I am very unlucky.

What I want is a rice cooker that will last but I'm not sure what to get. I see sushi places and chinese take aways that have these little ricer cookers and they must go all day every day. I did some Googling and people have reported buying cheapie brands that have lasted them years. Mine barely have lasted a couple of months!

Any one bought a decent one they can vouch for ?

Food & Grocery Rice Cooker

Comments

  • altomic on 26/04/2023 - 19:51
    +5

    i bought a Kmart $15 rice cooker 5 years ago and it is still going strong.

    i used to live in Japan and had a top of the line Tiger rice cooker. the kmart one is fine for just rice.

    • Cyphar on 26/04/2023 - 21:40
      +1

      i used to live in Japan and had a top of the line Tiger rice cooker. the kmart one is fine for just rice.

      Same. My 21 year old Tiger rice cooker is still going strong!

      Costco have a few models that are direct from Japan, but that would be a massive jump for OP given they range from $500 to $650

    • derrida derider on 26/04/2023 - 22:59
      +7

      You got ripped off. My Big W rice cookr I also bought 5 years ago only cost $12. Still works excellently, and we eat a lot of rice.

      But 1 cup of water to 1 cup of rice is too dry - I've always done 1.5 cups of water to 1 of rice. Maybe that is OP's problem.

      • BumbaT on 28/04/2023 - 18:53

        Not all rice is like that. There are over 100,000 varieties of rice globally with different water absorption starch and protein content and depending on the age also will have differences in optimum absorption.

        Your ratio for the rice you use is not linear either you might start with 1 cup to 1.5 cup but once you get to 10 cups are you telling me you need to put 15? There are differen't parameters at play so blaming the op as first point may not be the most useful tip since yours isn't very useful.

        • john_conner on 28/04/2023 - 20:30

          Just use the knuckle method

          • illusion99 on 29/04/2023 - 08:24

            @john_conner: Only if your knuckle is the correct size. My 10 year old, wife, parents all have different hand and finger sizes so which hand gives the best outcome?

            • RSmith on 29/04/2023 - 09:08

              @illusion99: Ask each of them to cook rice and whoever's comes out best has the right sized knuckles.

              • illusion99 on 29/04/2023 - 09:15

                @RSmith: So the knuckle method only works if you have right sized hand?

                • RSmith on 29/04/2023 - 09:23

                  @illusion99: I add double the amount of water. I don't even measure the amount of rice or water. Just visual measurements… Always worked for me.

    • BumbaT on 28/04/2023 - 18:45
      +1

      Ok let me get this straight. You had top of the line tiger like this?

      https://www.biccamera.com/bc/item/10179254/

      Its like ¥99,000, or $1100 aud but you think the $15 kmart one is fine for just rice?

  • hmac on 26/04/2023 - 19:55
    +3

    Maybe something with your electricity supply? Have you tried other powerpoints or a surge protector?

    • awdavgds on 26/04/2023 - 19:56

      We use 2 seperate outlets. The house is only 6 months old also so I'd hope our power was fine. No other items have issues.

  • Architectonic on 26/04/2023 - 19:56

    You are not unlucky, most are just that crap. Often it's just the thermistor that burns out - I had a rice cooker that lasted about a month, I replaced the thermistor and it lasted another 5 years (I don't recommend this if you do not know what you are doing), but the element did eventually burn out.

  • Tily on 26/04/2023 - 20:02
    +1

    Using a basic zojirushi one purchased in Asia which is about 8 years old with no issues. Have definitely notice the ones in Australia dnt last very long.

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 26/04/2023 - 20:05
      +5

      zojirushi is a bloody fantastic rice cooker brand and frustratingly has no Australian official distributor. No surprise to me your 8 year old one still going.

      • awdavgds on 26/04/2023 - 20:11

        Love the picture there with your name! Maybe I'll have to work how to forward ship one of those Japanese ones to me.

      • [Deactivated] on 26/04/2023 - 20:58
        +1

        has no Australian official distributor.

        Opportunity knocks ?

  • awdavgds on 26/04/2023 - 20:17

    On the outlet/circuit points raised, the outlets are on same circuit - it loops from main sick bench top to under the slab to the island bench. Microwave is also on that circuit. Toaster is plugged onto the same outlet as rice cooker Not at same time of course) and sometimes the island bench one too. Toaster has never died on us. Same with the Air Fryer, we use both outlets for that and never died. I have to put it down to the Rice Cookers.

  • Leadfoot6 on 26/04/2023 - 20:21

    Aldi $12 (2010 price accurate then)rice cooker purchased about 13 years ago.

    It gets used about once per week.

    As of last night it is still going strong, except where the plastic plug accepts the power cord, an interior clip wore out a year ago.

    Fixed with duct tape wrapped around the body of the appliance to hold it in place.

    It does not look "factory" but still works perfectly.

    Even the non-stick coating is 100%.

    Over time, I have managed to learn the right time to switch it off "heat".

    (I can walk away for most of it, just need to watch for the last few minutes or so)

    It is also useful for heating canned soup, corn on the cob, hard boiled eggs etc.

    • derrida derider on 26/04/2023 - 23:12

      If you have to watch it it is bung. It should automatically turn off when all the liquid water is absorbed by the rice.

      It's a simple but very ingenious mechanism depending on how a magnet ceases to work above the temperature of (unabsorbed) liquid water - try watching this to see how it works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSTNhvDGbYI&t=584s

      • Leadfoot6 on 26/04/2023 - 23:59

        I have been using it happily for many years + cooking the other things where water absorbtion is not required.

  • [Deactivated] on 26/04/2023 - 20:21
    +2

    Saucepan + absorption method

    • awdavgds on 26/04/2023 - 20:24
      +1

      I prefer the ease of the cooker and my kids can use it without using gas and messing up the cooker top.

      • [Deactivated] on 26/04/2023 - 20:28
        -2

        You don't have to let the kids do it if they're so young. It's similar to the cooker anyway - prepare it properly & no touchy until the rice is done.

        • awdavgds on 26/04/2023 - 20:30

          they're teens….they are just absent minded teens. Example - the 17 year old will think nothing of eating on the white couch with say chocolate and doing nothing about it, later to find melted chocolate from his bum on the couch.

          • [Deactivated] on 26/04/2023 - 20:37
            +1

            @awdavgds: Oh … you have my sympathies!

          • RSmith on 28/04/2023 - 14:38
            +4

            @awdavgds:

            later to find melted chocolate from his bum on the couch.

            Your teen needs to learn how to eat… From the mouth

      • Stopback on 26/04/2023 - 20:54

        Microwave

    • bobbified on 26/04/2023 - 20:25
      +3

      That's "white people" style! 😋

      • [Deactivated] on 26/04/2023 - 20:34

        lol

        But there is nothing to the 'original' method so why mess with it?

  • bobbified on 26/04/2023 - 20:27
    +1

    If you're up for a bit of an investment that'll give you years of perfect, yummy rice, go for a Zojirushi, Tiger or Cuckoo Induction Heating rice cooker. They start from about $350-$400….

  • SkyFireVII on 26/04/2023 - 20:27
    +2

    Is the outside of the pot wet? This makes no sense otherwise…
    Like I know some ppl wash their rice under the tap and then the outside is wet with water

    Had it happen before and burnt out the machine

    • awdavgds on 26/04/2023 - 20:29

      Not that I am aware of but I guess when I fill up the pot its sits on the sink so spose that could wet the bottom. I was not aware that this would be an issue however.

      • foxmulder on 26/04/2023 - 21:06
        +6

        As you washed rice in the sink, the bottom most likely wet, you should wipe with dry cloth before placing it to rice cooker.

      • OZBargainer in SA on 27/04/2023 - 14:04
        +1

        I say that this is the most likely cause - water is slowly getting into the electricals and corroding it.
        The discussion about the ratio of water to rice is a red herring because that should only affect the texture of the rice, not affect the longeivity of the cooker.

    • derrida derider on 26/04/2023 - 23:17
      -2

      Easy to test. Just try cooking unwashed rice.

      FWIW I have been cooking rice for 60 years and I never wash it. I don't believe it makes any difference at all. What DOES make a difference is having the right ratio of water to rice.

      • 82norm on 27/04/2023 - 08:58
        +13

        I take it your not Asian ?

      • plasmoske on 28/04/2023 - 20:45
        -1

        Rice can have lead, dirt and crap in it. Washing it is essential.

  • bdl on 26/04/2023 - 20:32

    Are you rinsing/washing the rice prior to cooking it?

    • [Deactivated] on 26/04/2023 - 20:38
      +1

      You forgot the soaking!

      • bdl on 26/04/2023 - 20:43

        My brother didn't use to rinse rice cause lazy and the starchy mess that was bubbled up burned out a few machines!

        • [Deactivated] on 26/04/2023 - 20:46
          +1

          Tell yo bro that it's importante to soak the rice

        • derrida derider on 26/04/2023 - 23:21

          If you get a starchy mess it just means you put too much water in. If getting it right is a problem Basmati (Indian/Pakistani) rice is very forgiving. OTOH Kashihari rice insists on being done exactly right - no doubt why the Japanese invented the automatic rice cooker.

  • THICKnSLOW on 26/04/2023 - 20:46

    Buy one and lend it to a friend for a week to make sure it works properly all week, then take it home and use it.

    If it fouls up again, there's something wrong with your power outlets or the way you are using the cooker.

  • Gunnar on 26/04/2023 - 20:52

    I dunno what I am doing but I get the cheapie rice cookers and they last years. Current one is a $13 Kmart job that has lasted 4 years with no sign of wear; it's used about twice a week. Previous one was a Breville that was about $90 that lasted maybe 8 years?

    What I do (possibly) differently:

    • Use more water - it's not an exact science but as a general guide I go 1.5 cups more water than cups of rice for basmati (and a bit less for Jasmine). Eg 2 cups basmati use 3.5 cups water, 3 cups use 4.5 cups water
    • rinse rice
    • Never put the insert into the dishwasher - did it once and it came out very oxidised
    • don't cook 1 cup of rice at a time; any cooker I've used has not liked 1 cup, 1.5 is fine but 1 cup they come out like crap (either dry or too watery); I'll just cook more rice and keep it if I want 1 cup of rice

    Grandmother told me this with the water years ago and I've done it all my life. Partner used to say I use too much water but my rice is always better than hers (she used 1:1 in a rice cooker before agreeing with me and started to use more water)

  • monky on 26/04/2023 - 21:01

    $14 Kmart one is really good, been using it for like 7 years… New version has a steamer basket and is a dollar cheaper from when I bought it

  • onetwothreefour on 26/04/2023 - 21:16

    We use one of these to cook our rice in the microwave, you can't go wrong.

    https://www.bigw.com.au/product/decor-2-75l-microsafe-rice-c…

    • [Deactivated] on 26/04/2023 - 21:44

      Why you gotta nuke the rice?

      • onetwothreefour on 26/04/2023 - 22:26

        Why not?

        • [Deactivated] on 26/04/2023 - 22:30

          I asked first

    • Tech5 on 26/04/2023 - 22:54

      Oh pls no this is worse than the saucepan. Uncle roger says no

    • zfind on 28/04/2023 - 23:50

      Serious question, how good are they? As a minimalist I don’t want too much extra stuff in the kitchen but the saucepan method gives me over cooked rice too often

      • onetwothreefour on 29/04/2023 - 06:40

        They work well, my wife is Japanese so she cooks a lot of rice and she always uses it. A long as you get the right rice to water ratio and put it in the microwave for the right amount of time the rice is always good.

  • bazingaa on 26/04/2023 - 21:45

    I have a Kmart $14 one for more than 5 years now

  • Summoner on 26/04/2023 - 21:56
    +3

    Cuckoo is my favorite. You can get those from COSTCO for peace of mind. It seems cheaper model start from $169.99.
    https://www.costco.com.au/c/Cuckoo-Electric-Rice-Cooker-Grey…

  • awdavgds on 27/04/2023 - 08:04
    +1

    For more clarity…..

    I do wash the rice. I put water in, stir it. Leave it for 5 mins….then drain it all and place back in the cooker with new water. So there is probably a bit more than 1 cup of water going back in with whats already soaked up in the rice. I started to do this with the new cooker as I found that when I did not rinse the rice it was more starchy.

    As for the power issues…I can't see that as the culprit due to the fact that the same outlet is used for our toaster and airfry when we pull those out. They'd be no different element wise/operation wise than the rice cooker but…..I have a sparkie over next week for some fans and a couple more outlets so he can check things out then. If there are issues then the builder can fix the issue and reimburse me for a rice cooker and replacement hair that I have been pulling out.

  • Takeohakuto on 27/04/2023 - 08:14

    Lived in Japan for a couple of years using a Zojirushi and looked for one when I returned. Ended up buying a 10 cup capacity Tiger from a Japanese food store. Think it would have been about $200 back in 2006 and still going strong.

    We usually cook rice 2-3 times a week so it definately gets a work out. If it died today, I would go and buy the updated model as soon as I could.

  • Trekky on 27/04/2023 - 08:21

    I've got a Kambrook Rice Express, that I've had for almost 6 months now. We use it once a week. No problems what so ever (was around $35). This replaced another Kambrook model (can't remember cost), which we had for 3 or 4 years. Only got rid of that, as the rice was always sticking to it, the bottom was scrapped up and I was fed up cleaning it.

  • Geoff01 on 27/04/2023 - 08:29

    They normally have a cup supplied to measure rice and a water line inside to fill to. Our Kmart one lasted years. Never seen one that uses cups of water

    • awdavgds on 27/04/2023 - 08:37

      Yes I use the same cup for measuring rice as I do to measure the water I am putting in. 1 cup of rice, 1 cup of water. The water lines are very faint, usually embossed so they aren't the easiest to see, the manual says to use the cup as a water measure so I do.

      • bbinc on 27/04/2023 - 13:21

        There it is! You should be using the little plastic rice cup that came with the cooker, and fill to the first line in the pot with water. Or second line for two of those mini cups. Brown rice needs 50% more water. Your line voltage to the house could be too high - nothing to do with your building, but more than likely it's the rice/water formula you are using, or you have just been unlucky. Our house was at 255volts and lightbulbs lasted no time and other things burnt out. The power distributor fixed the voltage for us and no problems since. Our Kambrook rice cooker came from the Salvos op shop for very little money and has been with us for maybe 10 yrs, used regularly, even the non-stick pot is like new still. Except for the dent where I dropped it. The top of the line Panasonic with many features sits forlornly at the back of the cupboard. Hope all the Oz comments help! The Kambrook remains our goto it's so easy.

        • awdavgds on 27/04/2023 - 16:11

          I understand the logic but if the packet says 1 cup to 1 cup - thats 1:1 - those mini cups of rice and 1 of water is still 1;1 isn't it ? With the next one I will try a different measure system.

          • bbinc on 27/04/2023 - 17:29
            +1

            @awdavgds: 1 mini cup, water to the line in the pan. Not I cup of water.

      • Geoff01 on 28/04/2023 - 06:22
        +1

        Your not using the correct amount of water. Don't follow the rice packet instructions.you use one supplied cup of rice then fill to the water line for one cup. Normally minimum is 2. That's a lot more water than one of the mini cups. It's possibly overheating due to not boiling long enough until the water has evaporated. I'm surprised the rice is cooked enough with that little water.

      • akashra on 28/04/2023 - 15:29

        Next we're going to find out that he's cooking with the lid off as well and all the water is evaporating.

        It sounds from all the comments below that he's letting it run dry, and he's burning them out.

  • Lastchancetosee on 27/04/2023 - 08:40

    Maybe try the Tefal 10-in-one rice and multicooker. It functions like the Japanese ones, with a reservoir to collect the water. I've had mine for two years, and we use it fir rice, ratatouille, and even apple pudding. Bought mine for under $100 on special from Myer.

  • awdavgds on 27/04/2023 - 08:42

    I was actually hoping they made ceramic ones like the old 70s style crockpots, seems they are all metal bowls. I'm keen to go towards the Japanese styles ones…looking to see how I can get one from Japan.

    • Takeohakuto on 27/04/2023 - 09:28
      +2

      Where do you live?

      There are several places in Melbourne to buy them, and I imagine quite a few in Brisbane and Sydney.

  • 82norm on 27/04/2023 - 09:00
    +2

    Forget the cup to measure how much water, just use the finger knuckle guide.

  • gesco on 27/04/2023 - 09:09
    +3

    1 cup of water for 1 cup of rice is not enough water. The machine is detecting that the water has all been absorbed and hence the rice is cooked and so stops cooking it.

    The instructions on the packets of rice usually show the same ratios for rice cooker machines and stove top absorption method, which makes sense - the machines are using the absorption method to cook the rice.

    From memory it is usually (rice:water) 1:1.5 for short grain and 1:2 for long grain.

    • theo96 on 27/04/2023 - 09:53

      I read somewhere the way rice cookers work is it stops cooking when the temperature starts to go above 100 deg C, which is what happens when all the water has been absorbed.

  • Navanod66 on 27/04/2023 - 09:56
    +1

    Firstly, stop buying these rubbish rice cookers with glass lids with a hole for steam to vent.
    They make terribly dry rice and lose too much water.
    Get one with swing lid and a proper steam vent.
    Secondly, ALWAYS make sure the outside and base of the inner pot is dry before putting it into the cooker. A drop of water getting into the heating elements can fry the cooker and kill the fuse. How do I know? Because it took me to day to find what was tripping the house breaker thanks to mum

    • awdavgds on 27/04/2023 - 16:14

      Noted. Although to be fair the Bacarat one does have a flip lid with steam vent. As for the water on the pot…yeah I can;t say for sure if I had water on it or not. Likely it did. Certainly didn't trip circuits though.

      At this stage I returned the Bacarat one today and swapped if over. If this fails after taking some advice from people here and ensuring I don;t get water on it and use more water in it, then I give up and will resort back to pot rice and packet rice for the kids to heat up. I just hate prepacked rice as it's weird tecture and expensive.

  • ColtNoir on 27/04/2023 - 10:32

    I’ve been using the tefal cy505 for about 4-5 years now and it does well.

    Only issue is due to the flatter bottom you can’t use the finger test for the water amount vs rounded bottom just rice cookers

    • Geoff01 on 28/04/2023 - 06:25
      +1

      You should be using the water level in the pot only. No other method should be used.

      • ColtNoir on 29/04/2023 - 11:40

        Yea I’ve tried, it doesn’t work.

  • Bilby s on 27/04/2023 - 10:48

    I recommend the sealed type of cooker and have been using Panasonic cookers daily for over 15 years. They are reliable, easy to use and cook well. Each one has lasted about 5 years before the seal goes. Rice is easy to cook. 1 cup rice with 1-1.5 cups water for white rice. Brown rice uses about 2:1. Wash the rice in the bowl before use using cold water until the washed water is clear. Make sure the bowl is dry before you put it in the cooker. Once cooked turn off and whip /loosen the rice with chopsticks and then close the cooker for another 5-10 mins. The additional steam and the loosened grains make the rice fluffy. I use Australian rice as it cooks evenly. Hope this helps!

  • cupcake on 27/04/2023 - 11:02

    If you want steamed rice every day, try the Japanese brand Tiger.
    Otherwise, the dearest one you can find at Myer online.

    Good luck.

  • Motek Benzona on 28/04/2023 - 07:18
    +1

    You are not using enough water
    You are ruining your machines
    Even a cheap rice cooker works if you use it correctly
    A decent one like a Cuckoo or Tiger or the like is worth the money IF you can get them on special
    USE MORE WATER

  • trapper on 28/04/2023 - 14:51
    +1

    Just keep taking them back under warranty, always have a new one this way :)

  • Munki on 28/04/2023 - 15:16

    I follow the guide to a tea

    Yeah don't be adding no tea to your rice cooker mate.

    Get a rice cooker from more reputable brands. I've personally had a Tiger 10 cup for over 13 years now and it's still going strong. We eat rice at least 4 times a week. I'd have no hesitation buying it again if this kicks the bucket.

  • Metre on 28/04/2023 - 15:20

    TEFAL Rice and Slow Cooker, White, RK732 https://amzn.asia/d/8DIc1Qx

    This one has easy instructions and have been reliable for us. But as others have suggested, keep the bottom of the pot dry before cooking.

  • Oz em on 28/04/2023 - 15:59

    I got the Breville rice box.
    I add an extra cup of water and it’s great. I found with the right amount of water it was drying out.

  • NocteRegem on 28/04/2023 - 16:12

    I've had almost 100 cooks over 2 years from the Panasonic 5-Cup Rice Cooker and it's still going strong. Don't do anything special just chuck in water and rice and rinse the bowl after. (SR-DF101WST)

  • living4music on 28/04/2023 - 16:18
    +1

    If you eat rice daily and love to have excellent cooked rice, invest in Tiger/Zojirushi or Cookoo (Korean). They are not cheap but they are the best.

  • lainey13 on 28/04/2023 - 17:02
    +1

    Are you drying the outside of the bowl? If not, you're putting water straight onto the element…. highly not recommended.

  • summerz on 28/04/2023 - 18:20

    Got myself some sort of expensive rice cooker, which, the best, supposing all the Koreans used, etc etc…and it died just after warranty. Thought it’ll be cheaper buying the ol $17 Kmart rice cooker and replace it every 6 months. 10yrs later, probably around 6 times a month, that $17 Kmart rice cooker is still going. You win some, you lose some.

  • MessyG on 28/04/2023 - 18:21

    Kylin ceramic. Have had it for five years and it hasn't missed a beat. Had a Breville one before that and it was fine.

  • junet on 28/04/2023 - 18:51

    I use an Instant Pot. 3 mins on pressure cook, 10 min release. Best rice ever & it's all stainless steel. Had it for a few years and it does heaps of other things too like soup which i would normally have to watch over the stove.

  • Debt Free on 28/04/2023 - 19:44

    I have had my $13 Kmart rice cooker for 4 years- no probs. I put my cups of washed rice in, then fill water up to the line on the inside of the rice cooker. Perfect white rice, and perfect Basmati rice, but my brown rice is often not nice and and needs longer to cook.
    Comes with a top rack for steaming at the same time.

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