RIP: My Beloved Rice Cooker Is Toast
It was a workhorse, turning endless batches of rice fluffy, never gummy. It doubled as a steamer, turning out especially beautiful artichokes. It was not as flashy as my beloved Cuisinart (another tool I loved to death) or as much fun to play with as my immersion blender, but it was reliable. A yellow school bus, not a speedy sports car.
At least until the day it died. I flipped the switch and it just didn't rumble to life as it always had. Leaving me to scramble and make rice on the stove top, which was only OK. Not the fluffy texture I was used to.
So, now begins the hunt for a replacement. I feel a little lost. My old friend isn't in the mix of the current models, so I'm starting from scratch. Sure love some suggestions! And wouldn't mind a little reassurance I'm not alone. Do you have an old, reliable appliance you'd hate to have to replace?
-- Leslie Kelly
Jeff on March 07, 2010 at 03:11 PM
Why not try to repair it? It's likely a simple connection problem somewhere, and a 24-year old appliance is almost certainly easier to repair than a new one...:)
Beth C. on March 07, 2010 at 06:30 PM
I have a Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy (5 1/2 cup) that I love to pieces. I highly recommend the Zoji's or the Tigers for a replacement, should you go that route. We have had several students from Japan stay with us, and their parents all have Zoji's in their kitchens!
TikiPundit on March 07, 2010 at 06:35 PM
I'm kind of OK with replacing old appliances when necessary. My big shock was losing all my 220V sweethearts in one fell move when moving back to the States after more than a decade abroad. But with counseling, psychiatric drugs and views of the great American landscape, I managed :)
The old wedding gift rice cooker (maybe USD $15 back then), used for 18 years, including twelve on a transformer in Europe, finally gave out. Decided it was time for an upgrade.
Got the 3-cup Zojirushi, model NS LACO5 and have been happy. It's got a keep warm function, a timer, and cute music. You can cook other things, like congee, but so far I only do white rice.
Side note: if all that computer stuff too much, remember the simple way:
HOW FO COOK HAWAIIAN MEDIUM GRAIN RICE
1. Buy rice cooker.
2. 2-3 cups rice in da cooking pot.
3. 2-3 cups water.
4. Cover and go press da start button.
5. One ding mean da rice is ready.
6. Enjoy and grind da rice.
HopeSew on March 07, 2010 at 11:05 PM
Look for the features you want, then decide the brand afterwards. I like the 'keep warm' and 10-cup capacity on mine. I don't like the non-stick coating, but there weren't other options. Have used the 'cake' feature; haven't used the 'porridge' feature yet but would like to try it for oatmeal sometime.
Kitchen Monki Dan on March 08, 2010 at 05:34 AM
Zojirushi, hands down the best rice makers, period.