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Rice Cooker Steam Problem

15 years ago

Does anyone here use a rice cooker often? I use it several times a week so it's left on the counter like a toaster, but when in use, it releases steam so I was wondering what others do about this? Should I not install an upper cabinet in one spot and use it there? Or is there some kind of small vent that can be installed under a cabinet so it can be used there? The cooker has a built-in timer so the vent would have to go on at the same time the cooker does so that might eliminate using a vent, if it even exists.

Featured Answer

cotehele

15 years ago

I set mine on the island when it is cooking and in a closet when not in use. Same with the toaster; pull it forward when it is used, and push it back when it is cool.

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Comments (11)

reneeharris1
15 years ago
I place a paper towel on top of my rice cooker while it's cooking to absorb some of the steam and water that spews. I also pull it forward WHEN IN USE (not all the time) so that steam does not damage my upper cabinets. Hopefully this will help you!
fullpass
15 years ago
I pull mine forward when in use as well (I do the same with my toaster too) :)
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I'd second Bruce's post above. I have a Zojirushi and rarely use it; I prefer rice fluffy and separate rather than sticky, and I haven't been able to produce non-sticky rice in a rice cooker. My technique is very similar to Bruce's. All you need is a saucepan that has a tight fitting steamer insert top. Boil the rice in the bottom of the saucepan for 8-10 minutes in a volume of water at least 3 to 4 times more than the volume of rice. (you can add a little salt and/or butter to the water if you want.) After it boils for 8-10 minutes, strain it into the steamer insert at the sink; run hot water through the rice until it runs clear to remove excess starch. Put about an inch of water in the now-empty bottom of the saucepan, put it on to boil, place the steamer insert with the boiled rice on top, cover the whole shebang. When it comes to a vigorous boil cut down the heat to medium and start timing; ten minutes later the rice will be perfectly fluffy and separate. Basically boil for 8-10, drain & rinse, steam for 10. This works well with long grain American rice. It also works with basmati, although you won't get the exquisitely separate grains you'll find in Indian cookery.
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You can probably search online and find the manual as a PDF file that you can download. I do that with every new appliance, since I'm always misplacing them, that way I know I have it on my computer. Good luck
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I have a MAJOR mold allergy, so this isn't just a matter of aesthetics for me. In fact, when we moved into our previous rental I had discovered a plume of mold damage on the back wall and under the wall kitchen cabs. The owner then figured out that that was the location where she'd kept HER rice cooker for years and years. So I'm concerned, and I do pull the rice cooker forward as much as possible (on a 24" counter), but the front and bottom edge of the wall cabinets still get steamy (cabinet rail is 15" above counter). And, I just looked and there are brown condensation spots underneath the top cabinet, behind the light rail. Am I the only one?? For those of you with NO problems from the cooker, how far is its vent from your upper cabinets -- both horizontally and vertically? I've found 50-90CFM bathroom fans @ 0.3 sones. (0.5 is the sound of rustling leaves), so that's quiet enough. But it would be an under-insulated penetration in a (SF Bay Area) house we hope to have very insulated. However, it does seem like overkill, I recognize. That's why I'm posting here -- to get insights from wise folks who cook and who think deeply about kitchen usability.
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A different kind of built in - our pantry build included spots for key appliances, so using the rice cooker is as simple as walk in / grab / walk out. I love our rice cooker! That said, to Sophie's point, I recently read the below article from SeriousEats and ordered the Instant Pot ($75 on Amazon), as an upgrade to our stove top pressure cooker. http://www.seriouseats.com/2016/10/why-pressure-cookers-are-better-than-slow-cookers.html It includes comparison pictures of recipes made in slow cooker, pressure cooker and dutch oven. I have used our crock pot so many times over the years but often results can be bland (still, DH never complains). For example, I made Marcella's 4 ingredient tomato sauce in the crock pot last week. It was pretty good but I bet it would be better in a dutch oven or pressure cooker! Yesterday, I made the caramelized onions in the pressure cooker and then french onion soup for lunch. Yum! I am new to the seriouseats website but am looking forward to other pressure cooker recipes. Monday night 's dinner: Rich Chile Chicken Verde in under 30 minutes. http://www.seriouseats.com/2015/04/pressure-cooker-fast-and-easy-chicken-chile-verde.html
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ehs20815
15 years ago
I also pull forward my steam-generating items when they are in use. I have no cabs over my sink, so the mid-counter area directly next to the sink works really well. When my kids get bigger I may start using the island. Good luck!
yoyoma
Original Author
15 years ago
Hmm, thanks for the ideas everyone. Since it's going to be used so often, I'd rather just leave it out, which unfortunately eliminates the island idea. And I'm a little worried about ruining the front face of the cabinets if I move it to the front of the countertop when in use because of the huge amount of steam it releases. It seems like it would get hit peripherally even if not directly underneath.
mygar
15 years ago
Can you set it on your cooktop (assuming you have space that isn't being used?)

I usually move it out and turn it around so that the steam is as far away from the cabinets as possible. I will have an island and peninsula without uppers in my new kitchen so I know that will help. I use the rice cooker a lot!
melle_sacto is hot and dry in CA Zone 9/
15 years ago
I have some counter space that doesn't have uppers over it and that's where I set the rice cooker when in use (I cook new rice about 2x/week). When it's not in use I put it away. If you plant to keep it out most of the time, I think it would be good to put it into a place where the steam can dissipate w/o damaging cabinets such as near a window or in a place w/o uppers.
weissman
15 years ago
Just pull it out from under the cabinets - you'll be fine - also if you have a range hood you can put the rice cooker near the range and turn on the hood.
sue36
15 years ago
My coffee maker emits a LOT of steam. We pull it forward when we use it and then push it back (well, I push it back, DH leaves it forward!).
pharaoh
15 years ago
I use my island for cooking rice. After it is done, the cooker goes back into the cabinet.
boxiebabe
15 years ago
I actually put mine in the sink when I use my rice cooker. It doesn't just squirt out steam, but the moisture escaping is all murky ricey waterish! I also put a paper towel over it.

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