The rice cooker is an essential appliance in every household kitchen and is used daily. However, many housewives do not have the habit of cleaning their rice cooker regularly, which can make it prone to damage or bacterial contamination. Depending on the type of rice cooker, there will be suitable cleaning methods. Therefore, refer to and follow the steps below, and you’ll be surprised by the results.

For digital rice cookers, the first thing to remember before cleaning is to unplug the power cord and wait until the cooker has completely cooled down.

When cleaning, you should follow the rule of working from the inside out and from the bottom up to avoid repeating steps and to save time.

Use a soft cloth to wipe the inside of the cooker.

The bottom of the cooker and the heating plate are also places where odors may develop due to leftover food or spilled rice water. If not cleaned for a long time, yellowish layers will form, promoting bacterial growth and causing unpleasant smells.

To fix this, gently wipe the heating plate and bottom of the cooker with a soft cloth to remove stains, moisture, and old rice grains stuck inside.

This also helps distribute heat evenly throughout the cooker, cooks rice faster, and saves electricity.

Next, soak the inner pot and the steaming tray (if any) in warm water mixed with a little salt for 15 minutes. Then, gently clean with a sponge and let dry.

Note: Absolutely do not use steel wool pads, as they will scratch the non-stick coating inside the pot. In addition, don’t forget to wipe the power cord, the outer surface, and the inner walls of the cooker with a clean cloth.

Similarly, for mechanical rice cookers, soak the inner pot in salt water for about 15 minutes, then gently clean with a soft sponge and dry. At the same time, use a soft cloth to wipe the inside and outside of the cooker. For the cooker’s thermal sensor, it’s best to clean it with fine sandpaper, being careful not to press too hard to avoid damage.

As for the lid, during use, steam will condense on it. If the lid is not cleaned regularly, bacteria can accumulate, causing spoilage and unpleasant odors.

Currently, there are two common types of rice cookers on the market: fixed-lid and detachable-lid.

• For fixed-lid cookers, simply use a clean soft cloth to wipe the inner lid dry after each day of use.

• For detachable-lid cookers, remove the lid, wash it under running water, and dry it before reattaching for use.
  
  
  

Important Notes:

• Never let the cooker body or heating plate come into contact with water.

• Only clean the cooker after cooking is finished and once it has completely cooled.

• Do not use metal scrubbers that may scratch or peel the non-stick layer.

• Do not use corrosive cleaning agents, as they may damage or reduce the lifespan of the cooker.

• Never wash the cooker directly under running water.